by Debra Holt
From the car, a woman had exited. She had long golden hair down her back and it swayed with the rest of the seductive moves of a body dressed in very classy dark green fitted jacket and slacks. She looked like money and very definitely not someone Emma guessed came from McKenna Springs. At least she had not seen her before and she would have remembered her. Expecting to see the woman extend a hand to Cole for a handshake perhaps… she was stunned when the woman, without missing a beat, stepped right up and into his arms and molded herself against his length… in broad daylight, in front of the world. She acted like it was the most natural… and practiced… greeting between them. The fact that Cole did not move away was not lost on Emma.
Nor did she forget the conversation where he told her he was out of the office… in the field… too busy. The words mocked her. She should turn away but she couldn’t. It was sort of like watching a train wreck… one knew it was going to happen and be bad but they’re drawn in. She continued to stand there as the couple separated, and Cole held the door for her to get back into the driver’s seat of the sleek vehicle. He rounded the car and slid into the passenger seat in a quick movement. Was he trying to not be seen? He had failed.
Don’t jump to assumptions. It could be an old friend from college? A family friend? A really good family friend… her mind was in fragments. Charlie’s voice brought her back to the inside of the store.
“Isn’t she perfect?”
Emma turned and tried to focus her mind and gaze on the angel in Charlie’s hands. The angel was beautiful… like the woman across the street. Whoever she was, she intruded on the moment and Emma didn’t want that.
She smiled and nodded, giving the child back the box. “She is indeed. I think it’s lunchtime. I’m starving… how about you?” She put on a happy face and kept it there. Good thing no one could see what her brain was doing.
They crossed the street to the diner and just before going inside, Emma typed a text… to Cole.
‘Have angel. Going to grab lunch at diner. Can you join us?’
She waited and nothing. They went inside and waved to Darcy standing at the register, helping a customer. Charlie selected a seat at the far end of the counter. She liked sitting on the bar stools that could turn. While they considered the menu, a text came across Emma’s phone. She looked at it. Cole had replied.
‘Still out in field. Busy for few hours. Have fun. Glad you found angel.’
“Well, that has to be a bad news face if I ever saw one.” Darcy’s words were just above a whisper so Charlie wouldn’t be distracted from showing her angel in its box to the other two waitresses. Emma met her concerned gaze.
“It’s… nothing. Just my mind wandering off. It’s been a busy morning.”
“Don’t think I buy that.” Darcy smiled, speaking in a more normal voice. “But we’ll discuss your lunch needs first. What can I get you two ladies?”
How about Cole and the truth? Those words felt like they wanted to be shouted out, but Emma swallowed them and went through the routine of helping Charlie decide on the grilled cheese sandwich and chips with chocolate milk shake. After all it was a special day… Charlie had her angel and she was happy. Emma had a dose of reality… before it was too late. There would be no picnic. At least not one with her.
Emma’s appetite was gone. She pushed the salad around on her plate and only managed a couple of bites of the slice of apple pie Darcy insisted she try. The food was tasteless as far as Emma was concerned. She was aware of only two things… Cole had lied to her, and he was with a mysterious and beautiful woman while she sat with his daughter, feeling like all kinds of a fool. That’s what you get when you believe in foolish possibilities.
Her phone rang. It was Mae. She excused herself from the conversation Darcy was having with Charlie about Christmas lists and such to answer.
“Hi, Mae.”
“I’m glad I got you, Emma. I wanted to let you know there’s been a change of plans. Cole is going to be busy for the rest of today and probably late into the evening. He just phoned us. The overnight with Charlie will have to wait. I don’t know if you’ve talked to him or not. He said he might not have time to call you also. I thought I would help him out and call for him. Hope you weren’t already on your way or anything.”
Was it her imagination or was Mae sounding a bit off today, as well? Maybe her brain was just coloring all conversations now with the Drayton family members? She was being silly. Or was she?
“That’s fine, Mae. I understand. Charlie and I have things we can do to keep us busy. We might stop by on our way home later from town.”
“Oh…well, we might not be here. We have some errands to run… for the farm and all. So, I wouldn’t want you to make the trip for nothing. We’ll probably see you at church tomorrow. Give Charlie a big hug for me. I’ll call when I can.” She hung up.
What was going on? Had the world suddenly gone off its axis? Probably see us at church? Mae Drayton had not missed a Sunday in the last eighteen years. She was proud of sharing that information with people. Emma was more confused than ever.
“I’m taking in the new Disney movie at the mall in Austin tonight. I have a couple extra tickets since the girls here can’t go… they have dates or some such.” Darcy grinned and nodded at the pair of young girls. “How about let’s make a movie night of it?” Darcy smiled at Charlie and then at Emma. Emma had a feeling Darcy had been a mind-reader in another life… she was too good at knowing things. A movie? It certainly beat sitting in the house and letting her mind imagine all sorts of things that would only hurt worse. It wasn’t like there was going to be a better offer made. She wasn’t about to be sitting and waiting for whenever Cole Drayton made an appearance. She had made enough of a fool of herself over him.
“What about it, Charlie? Think we deserve to go out and have fun at the movies?” Emma smiled at the little girl who couldn’t nod fast enough, braids flying around her head.
“Then, you have a date, Miss Darcy. We need some laughs tonight.”
*
There had been no sign of Cole when they got home after the movies. There had been one simple reply to her text letting him know where they would be… if he cared. ‘Thanks. Have fun.’
Emma had thrown her phone across the room when she read it. She hadn’t turned the phone back on the rest of the evening. The night was long… with tossing and turning… and she felt horrible the next morning. She didn’t know if Cole was home or not. And she made the decision that she and Charlie, who was slow to get moving that morning too, would stay home and not make the trip into town for church.
However, she needed to keep smiling for Charlie’s sake. And her mind needed to get a handle on things for when Cole did show up again. She had just put away the lunch items, cleaned the kitchen and was pushing Charlie on her swing set when the familiar white SUV pulled into the driveway and parked. She kept her attention on the child. Until Charlie jumped from the swing and ran towards the tall figure who exited the car.
“Daddy! You’re home! Wait till you see the angel we got.” She laughed when he swung her up in his arms and rested her on his hip. Emma felt his gaze on her but she kept hers on picking up the dog toys that were strewn in the yard. She dumped them inside the box by the backdoor. She was aware Cole had stopped a couple feet away and returned Charlie to her feet.
“Why don’t you run get the angel and I’ll look at it in the living room in a few minutes. Emma and I need to have a grown-up talk right now.”
Charlie knew that meant she wasn’t supposed to listen so she ran up the steps. “Okay, Daddy. But you and Emma need to hurry.”
He waited a moment or two after the door closed behind her.
“Are you going to look at me while I apologize or just keep ignoring me?” His voice was low and it hurt a spot inside her chest.
She loved the sound of it but that just made it hurt today for some reason. She kept her face in a noncommittal mask. She knew how to do that from years of practice. Sho
w them no tears.
“No apologies are necessary. You were busy. Your work comes first. I hope everything is okay now.”
“I don’t know if everything will ever be okay again or not.” His reply caught her off guard.
It was cryptic and his tone had grown weary. It struck a chord of compassion that still lurked inside her for him.
“Are you hungry? Have you eaten? I can fix something for you. Or maybe you just need some sleep.”
“Thanks, sleep would be good, but I don’t have time for it. I did catch a few winks at Mom’s earlier, but not much. I don’t have time for a meal. I just wanted to stop by for a few minutes and apologize and change clothes. And say I’m sorry that our plans for the picnic had to be put on hold.”
“It’s not a big deal. Charlie’s happy with her angel.”
Cole looked like he had the weight of the world on his shoulders. Was he feeling some remorse for the obvious lies he had told her about his day and whereabouts? She couldn’t cut him much compassion in that area.
“She’s back.”
The words came out of his mouth and Emma wasn’t certain at first that she had heard right.
Then he continued. “Pamela… my ex-wife is back in McKenna Springs. She showed up unexpectedly on the night of Mom and Dad’s party. That was the phone call I received. She was at the office asking for me. Since then, I’ve been trying to find out why she came here and what she’s up to.”
“I see. And your mom and dad? Do they know? Is your brother here?”
“No, Jimmy isn’t here. Seems they parted ways a while back. He took off to be some hunting guide in Alaska.”
Emma had to ask. “What about Charlie? Did she say anything about her?”
Cole nodded slowly. “She wants to see her.”
“Oh, no.” Emma glanced toward the house where somewhere inside a happy little girl was oblivious as to what could impact her world. “Are you going to allow that?”
“I have no idea right now what I’m going to do about anything. Two days ago made sense. Then everything changed with a phone call. I’m meeting with my attorney in an hour. Mom and Dad are going to be there. I must try to get on top of all this. Until we get a better understanding of what’s going on, I’m going to rely on you to keep things as normal as possible for Charlie. She has no idea of Pamela and for now, that’s the way it needs to stay. She’s our main concern.”
“That goes without saying. And I’ll do my best here so you all can concentrate on what needs to be done. Don’t worry about anything here. I’ve got it.” The only thing important at the moment was Charlie and Emma was determined to keep her world as drama-free as long as she could.
For the first time since he approached her, a smile curved the corners of his mouth.
There was warmth in his gaze and his words came with heartfelt sincerity. “I know and I can’t express my gratitude for that enough. I don’t know how much I’ll be here over the next couple of days… or until this is all resolved.”
“No problem. You do what you need to do and don’t worry about anything else.”
“Daddy, are you done talking yet?” Charlie’s voice was more a plea than question. She saw the apology in his eyes sent her way before he answered the child. “Yes, I’m coming. Let’s see this incredible angel.”
Once Cole had pronounced Charlie’s choice to be awesome, he had taken a quick shower and changed and was headed down the drive within a half-hour. Charlie stood at the door watching him leave and Emma was behind her.
“I wish Daddy didn’t have to work so much.”
Emma stroked the child’s hair that fell down her back. “He has to help keep people safe and sometimes that takes more time. He’ll be back as soon as he can. In the meantime, I promised him that you and I would keep things running just fine here. Okay?”
Charlie nodded. “Can we get the tree still?”
“I think we can do that. We’re smart and can figure it out, right?”
“Yes, we can.”
A Christmas tree hunt was just the thing to channel an almost six-year-old’s attention into happy things… and to keep Emma’s mind from unsettling thoughts and doubts of the future that had become murky at best.
Chapter Thirteen
“You two ladies certainly picked a honey of a tree. One of the biggest and best-shaped ones on the lot.” Trish Wellman commented as Emma paid for their purchase.
She was ready to get the tree home and be done with their excursion. Charlie choosing a tree could have gone on for hours. Emma finally stepped in and had Charlie narrowed down to three. Then the final selection had been made and Emma quickly had the tree tagged for delivery the next day and had paid for it.
“I’m getting her off this lot before she changes her mind again. Thanks so much for helping two novices.”
“It was fun. I’m sorry Cole couldn’t be here. But he’ll get the enjoyment of putting it up. Do come by the store if you need anything else.”
“Thanks, we will.” Emma walked out of the office and expected to see Charlie on the bench where she left her while she paid.
She looked around. She was on the verge of panic but not there at that moment. Think. She was probably looking at the tree again. She turned and headed in the direction of the row the tree was on, her heart beating faster with each step. Then she saw her… or them. Charlie wasn’t alone. She was standing by the tree and the blonde Emma had seen with Cole the day before was bent down, speaking to Charlie. A fierce stab of protectiveness made Emma fly across the space, putting herself between Charlie and the woman. One hand got a firm grip on Charlie’s hand.
She fixed the woman with a steady gaze. She meant to deliver a silent warning and the woman got the message, backing up a couple of steps. “Charlie, I told you to wait on the bench.”
Even as she spoke to the child, her eyes did not leave the female in front of her.
“I’m afraid that’s my fault. I asked if she had chosen a tree and she said yes and how beautiful it was. I asked if she’d show me. I’m sorry.”
Emma heard the words, but she didn’t buy into them. Pamela’s eyes had a glint of insincerity behind their gaze. She said the right things and smiled correctly with contrite body language… but Emma sensed it was all a show. And she was clearly expected to be stupid enough to buy into it. The most important information she kept to herself and that was the fact Emma knew her identity. But Charlie didn’t. And she intended to keep it that way until the Drayton’s said otherwise.
“You’re a stranger and Charlie knows better. They have people here who can help you with a tree, if you need one. Let’s go, Charlie.”
Emma didn’t stop and kept her hold firm on Charlie. “Are you mad at me, Emma?”
“No, Charlie, I was just very worried when you weren’t on the bench. But you need to remember the rule about talking to strangers.” She didn’t stop until she had Charlie in the car and they were on the road toward the ranch.
Charlie was quiet for a few minutes. “I’m sorry, Emma. I promise I won’t do that again.”
Emma gave her a smile in the rearview mirror before returning her attention to the road. “I’ll hold you to that promise, sweetie. We just want you to always be safe and happy. Now what about hamburgers for dinner? I think we might try to make them ourselves on the grill. Good idea?”
“Fun! Yes, I want to make outdoor hamburgers.”
Not only did they make hamburgers, but Emma had brought out reams of construction paper, glue and glitter. The dining room table had been covered in plastic sheeting and became their “studio”. She showed Charlie how to make garlands of red and green paper chains and white paper became intricate, lacy-looking snowflakes. Charlie was enthralled. Emma was the official cutting person and Charlie became queen of the glitter bottles. There was much laughter and that was what was needed at the moment. It helped the hours pass quickly.
“Let’s place our finished garlands and hanging snowflakes in this plastic container I fo
und in the basement. Then we’ll carefully roll up the plastic from the table and floor and dump it in the trash can out back.” Emma handed the bottles of glitter to Charlie to place in the smaller box they found in the kitchen pantry.
“Can we bake cookies for my class? In those different shapes like trees and—” Charlie’s sentence was interrupted by the sudden low growl coming from Angel.
Emma and she stopped still, both amazed and shocked, to hear such a surprising sound coming from the little dog. Emma looked under the table where the dog had been lying so quietly at their feet as they worked. Warning bells sounded in her brain as she saw that Angel was standing on all fours, the ruff of fur standing stiff around her neck… her gaze zoned in on the direction of the front door. Very few people ever used the front door of the house. Most people visiting just came through the back door. Without conscious thought, Emma stepped to the backdoor and turned the dead bolt. Then she spoke in a pleasant, but quieter voice to Charlie.
“I need you to go upstairs and find the pink plastic bag inside my closet and then gather all the crayons you can find in your room and place them inside it. We’ll need those for our next project tomorrow.”
Charlie was quickly on her way, happy with thoughts of what they would create next. Emma knew the pink bag would take a while for her to find as it was really under her bed, but Charlie wouldn’t stop hunting until she found it. Her hand went to the dimmer switch and she lowered the lights in the dining room. There were no lights on in the living room and she was grateful for that. The plantation blinds were drawn as was her habit in the evenings. Moving around Angel, who still maintained a steady bead on the front door, she tiptoed to the hall closet and quickly opened the safe on the shelf that was level with her eyes. The first day of her arrival, both Mae and Cole had shown her where the place was and the combination needed to retrieve the small loaded pistol from inside.
Emma hated guns, but she was grateful there was one she could use if needed. Her heart jumped several beats when, through a slit in the blinds at the window in the hallway, she saw the automatic motion lights come on at the side of the house. Something… or someone… was moving along the sidewalk around the corner of the porch. Angel advanced in a slow-motion stance that made Emma’s fear compound. Dogs knew when danger was near… more so than their human counterparts. Taking the gun in hand, she moved to the table next to the front door, placing it on the tabletop behind a flower arrangement… concealed if Charlie came into the room, but close enough where Emma could grab it if needed.