Heart Unbroken (The Potter's House Books Book 3)

by Alexa Verde

  The doctor nodded. “That’s good to know.”

  “Oh, and no problem giving shots, if needed. I can find a vein like nobody’s business.” She had a lot of practice. After one had so many shots, veins had the tendency to hide, and she’d learned to be excellent at finding them.

  This time it was Joy who coughed a little.

  If the doctor guessed Emma’s secret, he didn’t even blink. “Great. By the way, he can’t have that kind of food yet.” He pointed at the hamburger.

  Joy didn’t skip a beat. “It’s for Ms. Hughes here. She needs to eat. Don’t you think?”

  The doctor and Rodrigo stared at her.

  Emma fidgeted. “I do eat. I’m naturally skinny!” And her addiction didn’t help matters. A couple of years ago, Gnat had told her that students in anatomy classes wouldn’t need a skeleton if they had her. Emma hadn’t reminded him that he’d looked like skin stretched over bones himself.

  The doctor smiled. “Mr. Ybarra, I think you’ll make quick progress with these two helpers here.”

  As soon as the doctor left, Joy headed to the door. “Gotta go. Emma, I just wanted to feed you and shove you back inside if you ran away.”

  “Why would I do that?” Emma hiked up her chin.

  “Because some people tend to run away from the things they love the most.” Joy disappeared behind the door.

  Rodrigo’s lips tugged up. “Joy is awesome, isn’t she? And I’m not just saying it because I want a piece of that hamburger.”

  “She really is.” Emma swallowed hard, remembering her decision to move away. She’d miss Rodrigo, Junior, Joy, Mari. But she couldn’t leave now, when Rodrigo needed her help.

  “Sorry about the hamburger. You know I’d give it to you if I could.” She sat down again.

  “And I’d give it right back to you. Did you mean it when you said that you’d help me after I’m discharged from the hospital?”

  “I have to talk to my boss first, but yes, I mean it.” Emma slid the bag closer to herself. The delicious scents made her stomach growl.

  “I’ll rent a place in Rios Azules then, so you don’t have to drive much. A pet-friendly place. Amigo is staying with Cody right now. But I want to get my dog as soon as I’m out.”

  “Can’t wait to see Amigo.”

  Emma said grace.

  “Amen,” Rodrigo said when she was done.

  She bit into the juicy hamburger stacked high with double meat, cheese, onions, pickles, and tomatoes. It wasn’t as great as the ones Joy cooked but still pretty good. She had a sting of guilt again she couldn’t share it with Rodrigo.

  “Don’t feel bad. I want you to keep up your strength,” Rodrigo said.

  How could he read her so easily?

  “Me helping you doesn’t change anything between us.” She snatched a fry and dipped it in ketchup.

  Rodrigo shook his head. “That’s what you think.”

  Emma placed the half-eaten hamburger aside, wiped her fingers, and moved to Rodrigo again. Her mind refused to believe she’d almost lost him yesterday. She touched his face with her fingertips. “Thank you.”

  “For what?”

  “For existing.”

  Maybe everybody was right, and Rodrigo getting shot wasn’t connected to her at all.

  As Emma looked into his eyes, desperate to kiss him but stopping herself because of his condition, she wanted to believe it.

  She really did.

  TWO WEEKS LATER, EMMA shielded her eyes from the sun as she waited for Amigo to run back to her.

  True to his word, Rodrigo had rented a small house in Rios Azules with a spacious fenced-in yard where Amigo seemed to feel at home. It even had a nice wooden dog house.

  She refilled one of his bowls with dry food and another one with water. Amigo barked at some bird in the tree. Then he seemed to realize that getting food from the ground was a much safer bet and raced to her.

  She patted his head, and he licked her hands and proceeded to devour the dry food.

  Emma gave the dog a critical look. She’d told Rodrigo she’d give Amigo a bath, refusing his offer to help. But the dog didn’t seem to need the bath yet.

  These quiet weeks with Rodrigo had given her some peace. She’d even started hoping for a future with him.

  Amid this tentative happiness, some things made her heart ache. Gnat, Caleb, and Harry didn’t answer her calls. It looked like nobody needed her in Chicago.

  She’d still been talking to the families of addicts and sending funds to the nonprofit. But her friends in Chicago seemed to want nothing to do with her.

  Emma headed back inside. She heard voices in the living room, one of them calm and collected, another one rising in indignation. The calm and collected one belonged to Rodrigo, and the other one... That sounded like one of his friends, Cody.

  Emma froze. She didn’t want to intrude.

  Should I go back outside?

  The sound of her name attracted her attention, and curiosity got the best of her.

  “I don’t want to discuss this. Emma should be back any moment.” Rodrigo’s voice held a note of tiredness in it.

  “Think of what you’re doing, and I’m telling you this as a friend. You’re a good sheriff. No, you’re a great sheriff. Are you really going to throw away your career, your life just because...” Cody’s voice sounded irritated.

  What?

  Rodrigo was leaving his job? Because of him getting wounded?

  The hot lava of anger rose inside her.

  They can’t do this to him. It’s not right.

  She shouldn’t be eavesdropping, but she couldn’t announce herself now. She needed to hear the rest.

  “I’m not throwing away my life. I’m just changing it a bit. Choosing a different path. Not going for reelection isn’t the end of the world.” Rodrigo’s voice didn’t waver.

  “I can’t believe it, man. All because of Emma. I know you’re grateful to her for helping you recuperate. But why take it so far as to order a ring for her?”

  “I want to marry her because I love her.”

  Emma’s heart about stopped beating in her chest. Emotions created chaos inside her. She took a tentative step.

  “Does she love you back?” Cody asked.

  Emma wanted to scream, “Yes!” but contained herself.

  “Yes.” There was so much emotion in that one word when Rodrigo said it.

  Cody sighed. “No, she doesn’t. If she did, she’d remove herself from the equation. She’d realize that you can’t have a serious relationship with a junkie.”

  “A former drug addict,” Rodrigo seemed to say through squeezed teeth.

  “Whatever, man. She could start using any time, and you know it. Your opponents will have a field day with this.”

  “That’s why I won’t run for reelection.” Rodrigo’s voice was calm.

  “Not to put salt into your wound, but did you forget that Corina was killed by a junkie?”

  Emma felt as if a knife turned inside her.

  “I forgot nothing. Corina’s death doesn’t have anything to do with Emma. It wasn’t Emma’s fault. She’s changed, and she deserves being loved and respected.”

  “You know that the addiction might affect her children. That is, if she’s able to conceive in the first place.” Cody’s voice dipped. “Do you want to give up on your dream of becoming a father, too?”

  Emma went cold. She hadn’t thought about that.

  “We’ll leave it in God’s hands. There are treatments. There’s also the option of adoption.” Rodrigo’s voice was strained. “If you don’t want to support me, fine. But don’t try to discourage me from marrying Emma.”

  “You’re throwing it all away for a woman who isn’t even worth it.” Cody stomped in the direction of the exit.

  Emma hid behind a wall just in time. A riot of thoughts became two clear thoughts in her head.

  The first one was that Rodrigo was going to propose to her.

  That thought made her hea
rt sing.

  The second one...

  She had to say no so that he could have the life he’d always wanted.

  Even if it broke her heart.

  CHAPTER TWELVE

  RODRIGO WANTED THE PROPOSAL TO be in a more romantic setting, but a simple candlelit dinner at home would have to do. Maybe a restaurant would be better, but he didn’t want to do it in a public setting, and he had a feeling Emma wouldn’t like it, either.

  Considering he couldn’t compete with Emma in the cooking department, he simply ordered the food.

  Emma seemed to be a little absent-minded today. She’d dropped things, even nearly burned lunch. Then she’d excused herself and had gone to lie down for a while. Such a big difference from yesterday, when they’d happily played with Amigo. Worry squeezed Rodrigo’s rib cage. Was she getting sick?

  Or...?

  No, he wouldn’t allow himself to think about that. He couldn’t always look over his shoulder, suspicious she’d started using again. He’d have to trust her. And if she ever slipped... Well, he’d deal with that then. No matter how many times she slipped.

  It was a price he was willing to pay for being with Emma.

  He said grace.

  “Amen,” she whispered.

  The dinner was quiet. Rodrigo tried to keep up the conversation, and Emma nodded sometimes, but it was clear something weighed on her mind. She nibbled on her food, her appetite obviously gone. He studied her, trying to figure out what was wrong.

  Finally, he’d had enough of the silence. “Have you started using drugs again? We’ll deal with it together.”

  Her mouth formed a thin line. “It would be like that if we stayed together, wouldn’t it? You’d always be suspicious of me.”

  His eyes narrowed. “You didn’t answer my question.”

  She sighed. “No, I didn’t.”

  Rodrigo heaved a sigh of relief. Or maybe she lied to him. He dismissed the thought. Then what was wrong? His protective instincts went on high alert. “Is somebody bothering you again?”

  There was a pause. “No,” she said at last.

  This wasn’t going the way he wanted it to.

  This must be the saddest proposal in history. Should I wait?

  Rodrigo took out the box from his pocket and dropped on one knee. “Will you marry me?” He should’ve made it more romantic, but he was a guy of simple gestures.

  Her lower lip trembled. She looked at the ring with such horror, as if it was a snake, ready to strike and bite her. She even moved farther away in her chair.

  Rodrigo’s heart sank. It wasn’t the reaction he’d expected.

  “No.” The one word she said was like a slap in the face to him.

  He stared at her. Had he heard her wrong? It became difficult to breathe. “At least think about it.”

  “We’re too different. We live different lives. I’m saying no.”

  His heart was crushed. “Then you don’t love me enough.”

  Something flickered in her eyes. “You can think whatever you want. Well, I’ll still help you with bandages and such.”

  Rodrigo resisted the urge to grind his teeth. “No, thank you.”

  She jumped to her feet. “Then it’s time for me to leave.” Her eyes softened. “I never meant to hurt you, Rodrigo.”

  And yet, she already had.

  She touched his hand with her fingertips, a touch so light, so fleeting, apparently, just like Emma’s love. “Forget about me. It’ll be for the best for you. Stop loving me.”

  Rodrigo shook his head. “You’re asking for the impossible.”

  Her eyes widened. “Impossible?”

  “It’s impossible not to love you. At least for me.”

  The box with the ring dropped to the floor with a tiny thud, and neither one of them picked it up.

  TWO DAYS LATER, EMMA still worked on autopilot. Outside, she was all smiles and had done her job well. Well, except for a couple of dropped dishes. Inside, she was dying little by little.

  Had she done the right thing by refusing Rodrigo’s proposal?

  Joy thought Emma had made the biggest mistake of her life and had been pretty vocal about it.

  The threatening texts started again, too...

  During her break, she slipped outside the restaurant to call Caleb and Gnat, more to clear her consciousness than out of hope they’d answer.

  Caleb didn’t answer, and neither did Gnat. Her heart heavy, she tried Harry’s phone number.

  “Hello.” His voice sounded hollow.

  “Harry, I haven’t been able to get through to Caleb for weeks. I’m worried about him.”

  “Caleb died fourteen days ago. On the day you said you were coming to Chicago.”

  Emma went cold. “My condolences. I’m so sorry. How?” She could guess the answer.

  “Overdose.”

  Just one more time.

  Guilt slammed into her. She shouldn’t have cancelled the flight. She should’ve gone to Caleb. “But Gnat checked on him that day. Gnat said Caleb was okay.”

  “He lied. I don’t want to talk about all this.” He disconnected.

  “I’m so sorry,” Emma said again, though of course Harry couldn’t hear her.

  As Emma was prepping food for the next day, a knife sliced into her skin. She stared at the drop of blood forming on her hand.

  Joy rushed to her and pushed her aside from the table, none too gently. “I’ll finish up here. You go home, after I wrap your hand, of course.” She got the first aid kit.

  “Thanks. But a Band-Aid would suffice.”

  “I’m not risking it.” Joy put antiseptic ointment on the cut and wrapped gauze around Emma’s hand. “Get some rest. And you’d better call Rodrigo, or I will. Call him for you, I mean.”

  “I’m fine.” Emma forced a weak smile.

  Joy snorted as she secured the bandage in place. “Right. Two broken plates and a cut hand. If that’s fine in your book, I hate to see what unwell looks like.”

  The phone beeped in Emma’s purse. She fished her phone out and glanced at the screen. Unknown number. She swallowed hard and opened the text.

  VERY SOON NOW.

  Her insides went cold.

  She should’ve listened to her instincts. She should’ve left Rios Azules. Again, suspicion niggled in the back of her mind, but she couldn’t catch it. Something that she’d missed.

  No, not exactly missed but something she didn’t want to acknowledge and her subconscious was hiding from her.

  “You went pale. Well, paler than usual. What happened?” Joy’s worried voice brought Emma back to the present.

  What should I do?

  “Looks like my so-called friends are still not happy with me leaving.” Emma showed her friend the text.

  Or was this someone else entirely? She had to figure this out.

  Joy frowned. “This has got to stop. We’ll need to talk to the police again.”

  Emma’s shoulders hunched forward. “It’s not going to help. Don’t worry. I’ll be okay.” The suspicion moved to the forefront of her mind, became a little clearer. “Maybe you should take Junior somewhere for a week or so.”

  “Why?” Joy placed her hands on her generous hips.

  “I don’t know. I just have a feeling that... I think it would be safer.” Emma’s thoughts scrambled, and she had a desperate craving again. It would be so easy to forget about everything for some time, to numb the pain, to experience the euphoria. So incredibly easy...

  Just one dose.

  With an effort, she pushed the thought away.

  “I’ll walk you to your car.” Joy snatched the keys to the restaurant.

  Emma nearly groaned. “And defend me how? With a kitchen knife?”

  “Good idea.” Joy grabbed the biggest steak knife on the table.

  This time Emma did groan. “I was being sarcastic.”

  “I wasn’t.” Joy gestured for her to move.

  Emma headed to the exit.

  Outside, the air was
fresh but not cold. They strode to her car. Once they got closer, Emma and Joy gasped at the same time.

  Somebody had keyed Emma’s vehicle on the driver’s-side door.

  YOU’LL PAY SOON.

  Emma cringed as she surveyed the damage. “I could read it perfectly well on the phone screen the first time around. No need to repeat himself. Or herself. Especially this way.”

  Joy’s mouth pursed. “We’re going to the police.”

  “Not we. I. I’ll go in the morning. Whoever did this is long gone anyway.”

  Joy sighed and clutched the knife tighter as she looked around. “But you promise me, right?”

  “Yep. Are you sure you’ll be okay closing up by yourself?”

  “Nobody is sending me threatening messages. Besides, Dylan will pick me up soon.”

  Dylan...

  Once upon a time, Emma had stabs of jealousy, knowing Joy now had everything Emma used to have.

  But not anymore.

  “Give my love to Dylan.” Emma stumbled. “I mean...”

  Joy smiled. “I know what you mean. Be careful going home. If you see anything remotely suspicious, call me. Or 9-1-1. No, best of all, call Rodrigo.”

  “Rodrigo probably will never talk to me.” Emma opened the car and checked inside, to be on the safe side. She didn’t want to find a stalker in her own vehicle.

  “I wonder why. To refuse a ring from the man you love! What have you been smoking!” Joy seemed to catch herself. “Oops.”

  Emma slid inside the car and rolled down the window. “In my defense, I never smoked anything. I went straight to shooting up.”

  Joy opened her mouth as if she wanted to say something, closed it, and opened it again. “I’ll refrain from commenting on that. Good night. Though maybe I should stay overnight at your place?”

  “I have steak knives at home and I know how to use them. Skillets, too.” Emma turned the key in the ignition.

  “Well, still...” Doubt was written on Joy’s face.

  “Good night.” Emma rolled up the window and drove off.

  Her chest tightened. Would someone follow her? And what or who would she find at her apartment?