Captured Heart (A Garrett's Point Novel)

by Savanna Grey

  The funeral service had been beautifully heartbreaking. She was fairly certain most of the town had been present. Jack had seemed overwhelmed at the outpouring of support.

  The teachers from school, Jeff’s clients from his law practice, and all their friends – they’d all come to celebrate Dana and Jeff and to say good-bye. More importantly they had all come to offer support to Olivia.

  Mrs. Harper walked in with another chicken casserole. “Here you are dear. It can be frozen for later use if you need to.”

  “Thank You Mrs. Harper. How is Mr. Harper? Are you two enjoying retirement? It’s been just a couple of months since Dan took over the store for you, isn’t it?”

  “It took a few weeks for Mr. Harper to accept that he didn’t need to be at the store. Now he has an eight o’clock tee time every morning.” Mrs. Harper grinned, shaking her index finger for emphasis. “Now does that sound like a man mourning retirement?”

  “No, Ma’am. No, it doesn’t. I’m so happy for the both of you and for your son. I know Dan loves the hardware store. I know Mr. Harper has left it in good hands.” She hugged Mrs. Harper. “Thank You again for the casserole. The elderly woman returned to her husband in the living room.

  Looking at the bounty of food now covering the kitchen counters, she didn’t know what in the world they were going to do with all of it.

  She felt a hand on her back. “Need a hand?” Turning she found Mel, Kat and Syd standing behind her. Smiling, she wiped her hands on a dishtowel. Hanging it back on the oven handle, she replied. “No, just about done for the moment. Keeps me busy, and you guys have done so much already.”

  Two days had passed since Jack had sat Olivia down to break the news. Of course, it had been worse than awful. Emma knew she would never forget the shattering cries of denial from the little girl. She’d been reliving them in her dreams at night.

  Her concern for Olivia’s well-being and recovery from this shock was foremost in Emma’s mind. Olivia had withdrawn, which was normal in these situations. Even though Emma had received some training for these situations, she had called on the school counselor for advice.

  Time. Give her time, love and support. Let her talk about it. Ask questions, but time seemed to be the only real thing that was going to heal or at least make the situation bearable.

  Time was something she didn’t know how much she had with Olivia. Yes, she was her God parent, but so was Jack. Logically Jack would have custody of Liv, so that would more than likely mean she would be moving to Richmond with him. Losing Dana, Jeff and now potentially Olivia threatened to break Emma’s resolve to hold her emotions in check for Olivia’s sake.

  The will would be read tomorrow, so there was no reason to fret until she knew what the details were and help Jack and Olivia with whatever she could. This wasn’t about her.

  “I hate that you two cut your trips short, but I am so grateful to all of you for being here.” She glanced at her closest friends. Dana had been like a sister to her. These three were true friends through thick and thin. “You have been a lifesaver handling all the people coming through here the past two days. I don’t know what I would have done without you.”

  Group hug – even Kat, where public displays of affection were outside of her comfort zone.

  “I need to go check on Olivia. She was exhausted after the service.” Emma turned to head up the back stairs to Olivia’s bedroom. “She was asleep five minutes into the car ride home.”

  “Let me go. Why don’t you sit down for a few minutes? You’ve got to be about to drop yourself, honey.” Melanie offered. “I’ve got this.” Melanie headed up the stairs.

  “I’ll just take this tray around and pick up anymore glasses. See if anyone needs anything.” Emma grabbed an empty tray and headed to the living room where most friends and acquaintances had gathered.

  Kathryn and Sydney watched her go. “I’m really worried about her.” Kathryn started.

  “I know. Me too. She’s keeping everything and everyone at bay. She’s going to hit a wall eventually, and it isn’t going to be pretty if she doesn’t talk about it.” Sydney frowned; worry etching across her flawless face.

  “You know you’ll get wrinkles if you keep doing that.” Kat couldn’t help but tease.

  “Yes, I know, but thanks for reminding me, Brat…I mean Kat.” Sydney teased back.

  Both sighed heavily. “We’ve never had to work through something like this, Syd.” Kat continued to watch Emma move from person to person, making sure everyone else was alright. “Yes, my parents are gone, but I was an adult. How is this kid going to get through this and not be totally messed up?”

  “Emma’s right about one thing. Time and love. We’ve got plenty of love and hopefully enough time to wait it out, but I’m not just worried about Olivia.” Sydney said as she continued to watch Emma with her pasted-on smile circle the room.

  Sydney wasn’t the only one watching Emma. Jack was standing by the fireplace, a scotch in hand watching her every move. He was drawn to her whenever she was near. He didn’t know why, but he felt calmer when she was near, but not today. Something was off. He couldn’t put his finger on it. She was different somehow today. He watched her face for some indication. This had been one of the worst days of his life. Hell, this was the worst TIME of his life. He knew what Emma was going through because he was going through the same roller coaster of emotions from sadness to anger to emptiness that felt like a black hole waiting to swallow him up.

  Jack didn’t know what he would have done without Emma’s presence the past few days. He knew nothing about taking care of a child. He took a long swig of his drink. She had stepped up and handled it all. Feeding, bathing, talking, and handling the child’s fears and questions like a pro.

  He had listened to them talking last night when Emma had put Olivia to bed. Standing in the hallway as Olivia had asked if her mommy and daddy could see her from heaven and why couldn’t they come back had been like a knife to his heart. Emma had answered with such grace and love, telling Olivia that she was certain her mom and dad were now her guardian angels. She had been honest with the little girl when she’d said she didn’t know why this had happened and bad things happen to good people. She had said we had to have faith that God would work things out in the end.

  Humph. God had allowed this mess to be created, hadn’t he?

  Now Jack had to figure out how to handle the situation. Tomorrow would give him the pieces he needed to make some major decisions. If all went as he thought it would, he would be named executor and custodian of Olivia. If that happened, then he knew what he had to do.

  Emma needed some fresh air and her face hurt from forcing a smile all day. Most of the people had finally left except for the girls. They were wrapping up food and cleaning up the remnants.

  They finished cleaning in silence. “Why don’t you and Jack come by for breakfast in the morning before heading to Allen’s office for the reading? Olivia can stay with me.” Melanie offered.

  “That’s a wonderful idea, Mel. Are you sure she wouldn’t be in the way at the diner?” Emma asked.

  “I’m sure. She can help me fold napkins and silverware.”

  As they reached the front door, Sydney turned to Emma. “You have our numbers. Use them if you need to. You dish out advice to others about not holding emotions in, but you aren’t a good student yourself.” she admonished.

  Biting the inside of her lip to keep from breaking down, Emma nodded. “I will. I’m fine really. Just worried about Olivia.”

  “Call us tomorrow after the reading. We can talk then. We’ll meet you at Mel’s.” Sydney finished.

  “Give me a couple days, guys. Once we know what the will specifies, there will be a lot of decisions to make, mostly Jack’s I’m sure, but I want to help Olivia and him as much as possible.” Emma explained.

  “Let’s keep our usual dinner date for Thursday night. I’ll know a lot more then.”

  Good-byes were said and hugs given. Emma closed the
front door and leaned back against it, her eyes closed as she took in deep breaths.

  She didn’t hear Jack come up to stand in front of her so lost was she in her thoughts. Her eyes flew open when she felt his hand brush her cheek. Surprised she stared into his searching eyes.

  “How are you holding up, Emma? I feel like I haven’t talked to you all day.”

  Sighing yet again, she said “Actually we really haven’t. I think I’ve been on autopilot most of the day with receiving all the guests.” Her guard was back in place. “It’s still early enough for a walk. I think Olivia could use some fresh air. She loves to walk down by the water. Would you like to go?”

  Jack smiled. She was always thinking of others, but this time he was certain the driving factor was non-stop activity to keep from having time to think about what really happened. He knew she was just as exhausted as he was. “I think that’s a great idea.”

  “Great. I’ll run upstairs and get Olivia. Mel said she was drawing in her room.”

  He watched her go up the stairs, his eyes falling to her slender waist and perfectly shaped derriere. Need gripped his groin. This woman did things to his libido that he couldn’t control. That was wrong. Yes, he could control it, but he was finding he didn’t want to. The timing and situation was all wrong. She was too sweet a person to think of as a one-night stand. Emma was a husband and kids with a white picket fence material, and he didn’t need to ruin that with a fling and risk hurting her. He’d never forgive himself.

  He’d had plenty of flings over the past few years. A serious relationship wasn’t on his docket, only his court cases were. Emma Heart certainly did not fit into that mold. That is why he had marked her as untouchable over the past six years, and it needed to stay that way. Her help with Olivia was too critical to jeopardize by adding his hyped up libido into the mix.

  A few minutes later Emma descended the stairs with Olivia in tow, followed closely behind by Tucker, happily wagging his long tail at the chance of going outside.

  He smiled as Olivia was explaining to Emma that her friends Barbie Julie and Barbie Susan were fighting because Julie didn’t sit with her at lunch today. If only their problems were that small.

  They walked along the river with a light breeze lifting Emma’s hair as they walked. The sun was just setting over the water, its red and orange hues blended together like a masterpiece with the water standing still as if in awe of the sun’s beauty.

  Olivia hopped along in front of Emma and Jack as they turtled along behind at a leisurely pace.

  “The nap seems to have rejuvenated her.” Jack replied as he watched her skip along.

  Emma’s smile was sardonic. “Yes, thank goodness, children are resilient that way. They bounce back much quicker than we do.” A tremendous sigh escaped her and she spoke in a hushed tone only Jack could hear. “Although I suspect the storm has yet to surface really. It will be more of a balance of good and bad days to come.”

  Jack knew she was right. He just didn’t know how he was going to handle the bad days. So many things to figure out, but he didn’t have to have all the answers tonight. Right now he was enjoying a good moment.

  Out of nowhere he grasped Emma’s hand, taking her by surprise. She stopped walking and turned to face Jack. Grasping her free hand so that he now held her captive in his grasp, he smiled down at her, his six foot frame towering over her. Brown eyes darkened like cocoa stared into her baby blues as she blinked several times, trying to focus in and glean anything from his expression.

  “Emma, I haven’t had an opportunity to thank you for everything you have done over the past three days.” She started to interrupt him, but he placed a finger to her lips preventing her from speaking. “Let me finish please.” Nodding, she allowed him to continue.

  “I don’t know what the attorney will say tomorrow, but I know there will still be a lot of details to sort through. I know it’s a lot to ask, but I was hoping you might consider staying here with Olivia and me the rest of this week for Olivia’s sake while we work things out? I know it’s supposed to be your Spring Break and all…”

  “Don’t be ridiculous, Jack. Nothing is more important to me right now than Olivia’s wellbeing. Of course I’ll stay for the remainder of the week, and we’ll go from there.”

  Relief flooded Jack like a levy that had let loose. He hadn’t realized how afraid he was to be left alone just yet with Olivia. A small voice in the back of his mind was shouting at him that it wasn’t just about Olivia. He pushed the mute button on the internal voice and ignored it. He needed Emma’s help. That was all.

  “Time to head back, Liv.” Emma herded Olivia back to the house with Jack and Tucker in tow. Tucker had played in the edge of the water, splashing and chasing sticks that Olivia tossed. He was going to need a good wipe down.

  “Do you want chicken casserole, chicken casserole or chicken casserole for dinner?” Emma jokingly asked Jack. “I think we could feed an army with leftover chicken casserole.”

  Jack thought back to all the people that had been at the funeral or come by the house dropping off food. It seems Jack and Dana had made a lot of good friends here as well as Emma. She seemed to know everyone, and everyone loved her.

  “The people of Garrett’s Point certainly seem to be supportive of one another. The food just kept coming.” He smiled remembering how many times Dana had shared with him how special she thought Garrett’s Point was. He was starting to get a glimpse of why she felt that way. He didn’t even know his next door neighbor’s name back in Richmond, but that was life in the city.

  The three of them ate a light meal sitting on the floor around the coffee table of the family room. Olivia yawned creating a chain reaction from both Emma and Jack. Laughing in unison, Jack said, “Why don’t you take Olivia up and get ready for bed. I’ll clean up.”

  Emma found Jack in the family room. He had started a fire and was reclined on the sofa, his head leaning back and his long jean-clad legs were outstretched across the coffee table. A wine glass was in his hand. His expression barely visible in the firelight made Emma pause. Grief completely unmasked and so painful.

  “Jack.” Whispering his name she came to the couch and sat down beside him and waited.

  He was staring at the mantle full of family photos. “You know my parents have been gone for over ten years. Dana was all I had left. Now she’s gone too.” His tone was so matter-of-fact.

  Emma couldn’t refrain from offering him comfort. She couldn’t stand to see him hurting so. “You’re not alone, Jack. You have Olivia. She needs you.” Jack turned to look at Emma directly as he took her words in. “And you have me. I’ll be here to help you Jack. We can help each other. I feel like I’ve lost a sister too.” Her voice broke and she couldn’t continue, not without falling apart.

  Jack sat up and gathered her to him, his arms wrapping tightly around her in a soothing embrace. His hands rubbed up and down her back offering comfort. Emma buried her face in the crook of his neck. “I just can’t believe they are gone.” her whisper barely audible.

  Tears she had been holding back for three days streamed down her cheeks. Jack could feel her body trembling as he held her and feel the wetness of her tears on his neck and shirt.

  “Shhh, Emma. What a selfish bastard I’ve been, huh? You’ve shouldered all of this responsibility primarily on your own while I’ve been a bystander. I’m so sorry. I didn’t intentionally let that happen. It just did, but I didn’t do anything to step in. It was easier to let you handle it.” He placed his hand under her chin and tilted her face upward so she had to look him in the eye.

  “Will you forgive me?” he whispered. The firelight flickered across her damp cheeks, her eyes still bright with tears. She stared up at him with her own grief reflected and nodded. Then something changed.

  His head slowly descended toward her. Emma felt like she was watching it in slow motion. She knew he was going to kiss her but she felt frozen. Then all thoughts fled as sensations took over. It was mea
nt to be a tender, comforting kiss. That’s what he would tell himself later, but as soon as their lips touched, he knew he needed more than a butterfly kiss. He wanted so much more.

  Her hands went around his neck as he pulled her against him. Tenderness turned to passion as he devoured her lips, his tongue seeking entrance to taste her sweetness as he suckled her lower lip, her mouth opening to him. A soft moan escaped her lips as his assault on her senses continued. One hand slid to cup her bottom as he rained kisses down her throat and back up to her lips.

  A log crackled and slid in the fireplace, startling them both. Breaking the kiss and the moment, they both stared at each other in a daze. Reality swooped down on Emma first, and embarrassment banked the desire that had been burning her up just moments prior. Crimson color flooded her face and neck as she scooted out of Jack’s embrace. She saw Jack shake his head as if to clear whatever was running through it.

  His hand reached out to her, but she held her arm up, her hand outstretched like a stop sign. “Emma, I’m…” She didn’t let him finish.

  “Jack, don’t apologize. We both needed comforting, and the moment got away from us. Let’s leave it at that, okay?” Emma stated firmly. “Let’s just forget it ever happened.”

  She stood, straightening her blouse that had become disheveled. “We have a big day tomorrow. We should get some sleep, so I’m going to head up. Will you lock up and set the alarm?”

  He said he would and watched her walk away. He inhaled several deep breaths trying to calm his zinging hormones. “Forget what just happened? Was she crazy?” he asked himself.

  Standing himself, he had to shift in his jeans due to the uncomfortable tightness that now existed in his lower region due to his body’s response to kissing Emma. “Really? From a kiss? Has it been that long?” Well, it had been a few months due to his case load and long hours at the office, but that’s not what bothered him. What bothered him was his actual response to Emma. She set him on fire. One touch and he was lost. He didn’t just want her. He needed her, and that was not a good thing in Jack’s book.