Huntington Family Series

by Rachel Ann Nunes

  EmJay laid her head contentedly on Mitch’s chest, her mouth still full. Mitch put a hand on her back.

  “Why did you jump into the water?” Cory asked. The question had been burning in her since the accident.

  “You saw the fool. He was going to drown.”

  “I could have jumped in after him.”

  “I wouldn’t have asked you to do that.”

  “Because you’re the guy? Honestly, Mitch, I like your old-fashioned gallantry, opening doors and the like, but risking your life is just plain stupid.”

  “Hey, for all I knew, I might not be allergic anymore. The doctors say it might go away one day.”

  “Your legs were already red and itching. You knew. At least you could have swum back to the boat. We could have gotten him in.”

  “Not with how he was thrashing about. We’d have dumped everyone, and I wasn’t about to risk Emily Jane.”

  Cory couldn’t dispute that. She’d been worried about the baby herself. “Well, I can’t believe you went to the lake without telling someone you’re allergic to cold.”

  “Actually, I’m not allergic to cold per se, just rapid changes to colder temperatures.”

  She put her hands on her hips. “You should have told me you could possibly die if you got in the water.”

  “I wasn’t even going to get in the water. None of this would have been a problem if that idiot boyfriend of yours had any intelligence!”

  “He’s not my boyfriend!”

  “That’s not what he says.”

  “Well, he’s an idiot!”

  “You were kissing him!”

  “He kissed me!”

  Mitch grinned. “You know what? Your face matches your hair almost exactly.”

  Darn the man! She wanted to strangle him.

  “You should have told me,” she repeated stubbornly.

  He shut his eyes and sighed. “You’re right. I should have. But if I think your boyfriend is wimpy, where does that leave me? Being allergic to something so utterly idiotic, I mean.”

  Cory was surprised that he even cared what she thought. He’d always seemed so sure of himself. “An allergy doesn’t mean you’re weak. You can’t help an allergy.”

  Mitch didn’t reply, but she saw his face relax. At least he has some sense, she thought. On his chest, EmJay had gone still, signaling that she was finally asleep.

  “What about EmJay?” she asked.

  “She can stay with my parents. Or one of my sisters will take her home.”

  “I’ll keep her.”

  His eyes dug into hers, as though searching for the hidden meaning in her words.

  “If I was going to take off, I would have by now,” she said, lifting her chin in challenge.

  “I guess that’s true.” His gaze drifted to EmJay, asleep on his chest, one hand still clutching an unwrapped candy.

  “Well?” she asked. “She’ll just cry with your parents—or your sisters. Unless they want to walk outside all night. I promise we’ll come back for you in the morning. In your car, I might add.” When he didn’t speak, she continued. “Come on. She’ll be happier with me. We belong together.” She hadn’t meant to let this last slip out, but it came without her volition.

  Mitch regarded her for a long, silent moment and then said quietly, “I know.”

  From those two little words she knew she had won far more than one battle. It might not mean that he would give her custody, but it meant that he recognized her importance in EmJay’s life. “Okay, then.” She reached for EmJay before he could change his mind.

  “Take her to my house, will you?” he said, raising his head from the pillow. “She’ll feel more secure. You still have my keys, don’t you?”

  Cory most definitely didn’t want to go to his house. She wanted to take EmJay home with her to prove to him and to the world that the baby would be happy wherever Cory happened to be. But was that selfish? Probably. She had to admit that staying at Mitch’s would mean less change for EmJay. “Okay.”

  “And hold her hand if she wakes up?” His face scrunched as though he was waiting for her to laugh at him.

  “Of course.” Couldn’t he guess how much she longed to do that for AshDee’s baby? Couldn’t he possibly understand how much EmJay’s presence alleviated her ever-hovering grief for her little sister? Not to mention her guilt for letting AshDee walk out of her life.

  His face relaxed. “Thanks.”

  She held EmJay to her chest. The baby roused enough to curl her fist around a lock of Cory’s hair, a few pieces of candy sliding unwanted to the hospital bed. “See you tomorrow,” she said softly.

  “Oh, and could you take her to the fireworks at my parents’?”

  She wanted to say that it was too much to ask—she didn’t want to share her time alone with EmJay.

  “Just for a while,” he amended. “I really wanted to be the one to show her the fireworks, but since I can’t, I don’t want her to miss it.”

  “Okay.” What else could she say?

  Mitch sighed and closed his eyes, as though unable to watch her leave with EmJay. Cory hurried to the curtain that separated Mitch from the other emergency room occupants, thinking to leave without looking back, but at the curtain, she couldn’t resist. Mitch had opened his eyes and was staring at her in much the same way as when Evan had kissed her.

  Cory wanted to explain how it was between her and Evan, but more than anything she wanted to escape that look, or how the look made her feel inside. She remembered too well the horror she’d experienced during Mitch’s reaction and how she’d silently begged him not to die. Well, he hadn’t—and now what?

  I can’t tell him how I’m beginning to feel about him, she thought. I can’t.

  She realized now how utterly her master plan had backfired. She’d wanted to charm Mitch into giving her custody, but she’d never planned to care for him in return.

  I don’t, she told herself. I won’t set myself up for heartache.

  Silently, she vowed to continue with her plan. When she got custody, she’d escape to the Amazon and forget she’d ever been to Utah and met anyone named Mitch Huntington.

  With that thought, Cory turned her back on him and left.

  Chapter Twenty

  On Saturday morning, Cory buckled EmJay in her car seat for the drive to pick up Mitch from the hospital. Yawning, she wished for a few more hours of sleep. She’d stayed up far too late last night.

  Yesterday, when she had gone back to the reservoir for Vikki, she’d broken her date with Evan, who had not been gracious. Cory found herself strangely uncaring of what he thought or said. It was enough to have EmJay with her. Vikki declined to accompany her to the Huntingtons’ fireworks, so Cory headed there alone. She worried that she’d be an outcast because of her claim on EmJay. Instead, the family was warm and friendly, and Cory had enjoyed herself more than she expected. For one magical evening, she was a daughter in a large and loving family. EmJay also had a wonderful time running around with her so-called cousins on the front lawn while waiting for the fireworks to begin.

  There had been only one awkward moment when Cory had seen Kerrianne staring at the sky. “Are you all right?” she’d asked.

  Kerrianne nodded, her smile bright. “My husband loved the Fourth of July. He was like a little kid, rushing to light the fireworks. He brought a lot of joy to the day for us.”

  “Do you really believe that he’s somewhere waiting for you?” She felt stupid even as she asked the question. Surely, if any of Mitch’s family believed in the afterlife, it would have to be Kerrianne.

  “I don’t believe he’s somewhere waiting for me,” Kerrianne said, her glittering eyes reflecting the light from above.

  “You don’t?” This surprised Cory to no end.

  “No. Belief is something you hope for and that you mostly feel is true. I don’t feel that way. I know Adam’s waiting. I’ve felt him near me, just as I’ve felt my Savior.” She lifted her face again to the heavens. “Adam’s h
ere tonight. I’m sure of it. Loving me and watching over our children.”

  A lump formed in Cory’s throat. She wanted to contest Kerrianne’s words, but how could she in the face of such quiet conviction? Cory was glad when EmJay toddled to her and held out her arms, breaking the awkward silence. But an odd feeling remained with her the rest of the evening as she imagined something otherworldly there with the family. Something warm and special—something that made her want to laugh and weep at the same time.

  Shaking off the memory, Cory backed Mitch’s car down his drive. She preferred his car over her rental—mostly because the car seat was so difficult to move.

  At the hospital in Heber, Mitch was pacing outside the front doors. Someone must have brought him a change of clothes the night before because he was dressed in faded jeans and an ugly green sweatshirt that had definitely seen better days. “Can’t wait to get out of jail, huh?” she asked as she approached.

  “I thought you’d never get here! They brought me out in a wheelchair. Said it was policy. It was embarrassing.” He took EmJay from her arms, giving her a big hug and kiss. “So how’d she do? She sleep well?”

  “Like a baby.” Cory began walking to the car.

  Mitch hurried to keep up. “She didn’t wake up?”

  “Well . . .”

  “She cried, didn’t she?”

  Cory stopped. “No, she didn’t cry. In fact, I held her all night on your couch. Satisfied?”

  He threw back his head and laughed. “I did the same thing when I first got her. She wouldn’t sleep if I put her down. Besides, it was so fun watching her.”

  Cory smiled. She had spent far too much of the night doing just that. “She’s a miracle, that’s for sure,” she said softly. “I can’t get over how much she reminds me of AshDee.”

  “She looks like you, too.” They started walking again before Mitch said, “When I first saw you in the chapel that day, I thought you were Ashley come to check up on me.”

  There he went again, talking about her sister as though she were alive somewhere.

  “But only for a minute,” he added. “You were far too ornery to be Ashley.” She scowled at him, but he grinned. “I’m kidding. So how’d the fireworks go?” He bounced EmJay in his arms. “Was she scared?”

  “No. What she was, was sleeping. She tired herself out running around with your nieces and nephews and fell asleep before they began lighting them. Didn’t see a thing.”

  “Aw.” He looked at the baby. “Don’t worry, sweetie. There’s always next year.”

  “You’re tickled pink that she fell asleep, aren’t you!” Cory accused, her mouth twitching as she struggled against a smile.

  He shrugged. “I guess I did want to show her myself. And I was worried she’d be afraid of the noise.”

  They’d reached the car, and Cory opened the door so Mitch could put EmJay in her seat.

  “And my family? Did they throw you to the wolves or try to convert you?”

  Cory thought of her conversation with Kerrianne. “They were all sweet. Especially your father.” She looked away from him to the majestic mountains that loomed to the south and added, “You don’t know how lucky you are to have him as a dad.”

  Mitch was silent so long that Cory turned to look at him. “I’m sorry,” he said softly.

  “For what?”

  “For whatever makes you look so sad. Is it because of Ashley? Or something else? Ashley said a few things to me once about your family, and I—”

  Anger washed over Cory. “There was nothing wrong with my family.”

  “Then why do you and Ashley seem to hate your father?”

  “Do?” she shrilled. “Don’t you mean did? Ashley doesn’t do anything anymore.”

  Cory suddenly felt his arms around her, drawing her close. “I’m sorry,” he whispered. “I’m sorry for everything. Please, let’s just be friends.”

  She leaned into him, enjoying the solid, comfortable feel of his chest. “I’m sorry, too,” she said softly. “And you’re right. My father was a bitter old man who bullied his children. I tried to tell myself that it was because my mother died and he was sad without her, but I think he would have done it anyway. AshDee and I used to imagine that she was alive and that she took us far away from him. I might have left, but I stayed—mostly for AshDee. But not just for her. I loved him, I really did. When AshDee took off and became a Mormon, he had a stroke. Then I couldn’t leave, even if I’d wanted to. He had no one else. It was a miserable year before he died. But AshDee never knew. She was too busy being a Mormon.”

  “That makes it harder for you to believe, doesn’t it?”

  Cory drew away. “Maybe.”

  “I’d like to help. I can explain why Ashley joined the Church.”

  “I’m doing research on my own.” She was absolutely finished with this conversation.

  Cory went around to the other side of the car. For some reason she was irritated that he hadn’t questioned her further about her father. Sometimes she wished she had someone to talk to about him.

  By the time they’d driven down the canyon and arrived at their street, they were talking easily again. Cory found her efforts to charm Mitch weren’t really efforts at all. She enjoyed being with him.

  Mitch dropped her off outside her rented house. “Drop by later, if you want. If those birds are flying, I’ll be barbecuing up some trout.”

  “Won’t be until at least next week.”

  “Maybe.”

  Cory had the feeling he couldn’t take his eyes off her. That for this moment in time, he was perfectly content to drink in her presence. What foolishness, she told herself. Stepping back, she waved at him as he drove away.

  When Cory opened her door, which was curiously unlocked, she found Vikki, Tyler, Savvy, and the two missionaries sitting on the floor in her living room. Belatedly, Cory noticed two extra vehicles parked in front, one a little red Subaru and the other Tyler’s green truck. It was a wonder Mitch hadn’t noticed them, either.

  She shut the door. “Hi. I forgot you were coming.”

  “Come and have breakfast,” Tyler invited. They’d spread a large picnic cloth over the carpet, atop which were huge cinnamon rolls and cups of orange juice.

  “These are out of this world!” Vikki said, taking another bite. “Sit here, Cory.”

  “I was picking up Mitch,” Cory said to no one in particular.

  “Yeah, we heard,” Tyler said.

  Cory sat down between Vikki and Savvy, who smiled and passed her a pitcher of orange juice. “Thanks.” Cory had talked to Savvy briefly last night at the fireworks and had found her friendly and lively to be around.

  “I can’t believe what happened to Mitch,” Savvy said. “That man should be slapped silly. What did he think, jumping into the water like that? Hey, he didn’t have any of his animals with him, did he?”

  “I don’t think so.” Cory hadn’t thought to ask. “Probably knew he’d have his hands full with EmJay.”

  “EmJay?” Savvy asked.

  “That’s what she calls Emily Jane,” Tyler told her.

  “My sister and I planned baby names when we were growing up.” Cory didn’t want any of them to forget that she was the relative here, the person who should be raising EmJay.

  Savvy nodded. “My sisters and I used to do that, too.”

  “Speaking of which,” Tyler grumbled, “you and your sisters seem to be doing a lot of stuff together lately.”

  Savvy grinned at him sweetly. “How kind of you to notice. I would have thought you were too busy with all your girlfriends to pay attention to what I’m doing with my time.”

  “Hey, I care. We’re friends.”

  Savvy continued smiling, but Cory noticed the happiness didn’t quite reach her eyes. “True, and that’s why I hope you’ll write to me on my mission.”

  Tyler’s mouth gaped open. “Your what? You’re not twenty-one.”

  “I am next month. I’ve already turned in my papers.”


  “Congratulations!” said Elder Rowley. “You won’t regret it.”

  Elder Savage nodded. “Best time in my life so far.”

  Savvy grinned, and this time the elation in her eyes was clear. “Thanks, guys. I’m so excited. I’ve been thinking about this for a long time.”

  “You have?” Tyler was staring at her, his sweet roll and juice forgotten. “You didn’t tell me. Why didn’t you tell me? I tell you everything.”

  “Everything?” Savvy gazed at him.

  He looked down at his hands. “Well, most stuff.”

  “It was a personal decision. Not easily made. But now that the papers are on their way, I wanted you to be among the first to know.”

  Tyler didn’t look up, and Cory thought she saw a shimmer of something in his eyes, but it might just have been the way the light reflected from his glasses.

  “I think we should begin,” said Elder Rowley. “We can have a prayer, and those of you who aren’t done yet can finish while Elder Savage and I talk. Savvy? Would you say the prayer?”

  With a last curious glance at Tyler, Savvy bowed her head and asked the Lord to send his Spirit to attend the missionary discussion. Cory envied the way she did this with such confidence, such childlike faith. The faith of the untried, Cory thought. But for all she knew, Savvy had suffered terrible hardships that ate at her soul.

  “Today, we’re going to talk about the restoration of the gospel,” Elder Savage began after Savvy finished. “We’ve talked about God and Jesus, the Book of Mormon, and eternal families, but now we want to discuss the authority by which the Church was restored.”

  Cory had been curious about the Mormons’ claim to authority. Now I’ll find out, she thought. I just hope it doesn’t involve more angels.

  Mitch was giving Emily Jane a bath when his doorbell rang. “Why does it always do that when I’m busy?”

  Emily Jane grinned at him. “Choing lally biya nollola.”

  “Exactly.” He pulled her from the tub and wrapped her in a soft towel. “Grrrr,” he growled, unable to pass up the moment.