“That’s where the trust part of that comes in,” she said softly, then left, taking her scent and her laughter and a good chunk of Colin’s good sense with her. He watched her until she disappeared, then shut the door and set the pup back down on the rug. With a shudder of pure joy, the tiny thing belly-crawled over to the rope toy Emily had bought for him and started to gnaw on it, blissfully unaware of the storm raging inside Colin’s head. Because damn it—who the hell’s bright idea was it, anyway, plopping this woman in front of him? It was downright cruel, the way the light shined from inside her as steady as a little lighthouse grounded on solid rock, impervious to the crashing waves determined to take it under.
Granted, maybe her situation didn’t even begin to compare with the horrors he’d witnessed. And by her own admission, she’d fled from “real” life to give herself space to heal. Kinda hard to fault her for that, though, since wasn’t he doing the same thing? Even so, what he’d seen in her eyes when she looked at those photos—even without knowing the whole story—punched Colin in the gut almost as bad as the subjects had to begin with. However much her own heart might still be shredded, it still overflowed with compassion for others...the hallmark of somebody made of far sterner stuff than she probably even realized. And damned if that hadn’t put his heart in danger.
In other words, Emily wasn’t the only one being assaulted by some big-ass waves.
Colin could only pray for the strength to withstand the ones crashing over him half as well as the woman who’d just caused the tsunami.
Chapter Seven
“I think you’ve got customers,” Emily whispered to Dee, who was helping Jesse Aragon, a young Native artist she was promoting, hang one of his in-your-face paintings of the nearby mountains on the deliberately neutral wall. Dee had decided the smartest thing was to set up the gallery as a co-op for now, the artists themselves pitching in with their labor and time to help run the place until it was in the black.
Although judging from the pair of tourists currently peering and pointing through the large plate glass window, that wasn’t going to take long.
In a floaty-print top and dusty capris, Dee crossed to the door to let them in, even though the official opening wasn’t for another week yet. And in they swooped, along with the lilac-scented May breeze.
“Are you even open?” a middle-aged, much-too-tan man asked, his eyes hungrily darting around the gallery, and Emily smiled. Ninety percent of them were looky-loos, more curious than serious. But this one—and his wife, her wrists and chest choked with heavy silver-and-turquoise Navajo jewelry—were so obviously collectors it was almost amusing.
“Close enough,” Dee said with a big grin, shoving a hand through her freshly cropped hair. “As long as you don’t mind a little dirt.” From the portacrib set up apart from the chaos, baby Katie let out a squawk. Dee laughed. “Or kids.”
“Oh...” The woman made a beeline for the baby, who gave her new admirer her brightest, most adorable grin. “Isn’t she precious! Is she yours?”
Chuckling, Dee joined the woman to haul Katie up into her arms, while her husband and the artist immediately slipped into a deep conversation about the painting...which the guy had apparently fallen immediately in love with. Dee glanced over at Emily, her eyes sparkling even more than the tiny diamond in her nose. Her cousin had reverted to the edgy look from her DC gallery days—a costume, yes, but at least one Dee knew she was wearing. And why.
A thought that led Emily to thinking about Colin. Again. In fact, she’d come into town with Dee today partly to distract herself from exactly that, even though she hadn’t seen Josh’s brother in the week or so since he’d taken the puppy. Because something told her Colin was also wearing a costume, of sorts, even if his was entirely mental. Granted, after Michael, her Spidey senses were probably on overdrive, but...
And did she need such folderol in her life? She did not. Bad enough she’d already fallen in love with a dog that would never be hers.
Especially since she knew—knew—that objectivity probably wasn’t her strong suit right now. Maybe her wounds weren’t open and raw and bleeding, but even she knew she was still too bruised and tender to think straight. Because who was in classic rebound mode right now, yearning for affirmation that she was desirable? Uh-huh. Meaning the way Colin looked at her that night had gotten all sorts of juices going, as one would expect when said juices had been neglected—if not outright ignored—for more than a year.
Her cell phone chirped at her. Not her mother, at least, whom she’d finally talked to a few days ago. Because a pleaser doesn’t simply flip a switch and become that daughter. Alas. But it had been a strained—and strange—conversation, one that God willing wouldn’t be reprised anytime soon.
Although seeing her father’s number on the display didn’t exactly fill Emily with glee, either, since Stewart Weber and she had never really had much to say to each other. Her father had been perfectly content to stay out of his wife’s way, letting Margaret steer the family ship as she saw fit. Emily supposed her father loved her, in his own detached way. Even if he’d often looked at her as though not quite sure how he’d come to have a daughter. So his calling her now...
She braced herself.
“That you, Emily?”
Figuring she probably didn’t want witnesses for this conversation, she stepped out of the gallery to sit on a wrought iron bench in front, where the warm sun convinced her to unbutton her cardigan. “Nobody else is going to be answering my phone, Dad.”
“Oh. Of course.” She imagined him blinking behind his steel-rimmed glasses, tugging on the bow tie he was never without, even when he was hermited in his study, researching or writing. Hiding out from his wife, most likely. Although he’d had other “outlets,” too, hadn’t he? Outlets Emily hadn’t known about until she was in high school. “So. How are you?”
“I’m fine. Which I’m sure Mom told you.”
“And maybe I wanted to hear it for myself and not through your mother’s filter.”
Whoa. Had he actually snapped at her? She’d never known her father to lose his cool with anyone. Not even with her mother, who, heaven knew, provided the man with ample opportunity for losing it. Not to mention an excuse, she supposed, for his behavior.
“What’s going on, Dad?”
“You need to come home, that’s what’s going on.”
Home. Yes, she’d told Colin she’d probably go back. Because that was logical. Practical. Because she had no reason, really, to stay here. Except what was there for her now? Really?
“Why?”
“Your mother’s about to drive me crazy. She’s in here every five minutes, either in tears or yelling or both. I can’t get a damn thing done for all the interrupting. The...emotions exploding all over everything...” No, he’d never liked those very much, had he? “I know she’s worried about you, but she’s taking it out on me. And that’s not right.”
Anger—which wasn’t exactly in short supply these days—surged through Emily’s chest, heat racing up her neck, across her cheeks. “And you know what? I’m the one who had the rug yanked out from under her, the one who was humiliated. The one who was cheated on.” Okay, so she might’ve put the screws in a bit with that one. “So I’m sorry if Mother’s taking her frustration out on you that her plans got screwed up, but right now, I need to take care of myself. Figure out what I need to do. To be. Meaning it’s up to you guys to figure out how to deal with each other. Or not. Go complain to one of your mistresses, Dad. Or is that not part of their job description?”
Her father’s silence actually rang in her ear.
“What did you say?”
She pushed out a harsh laugh. “You honestly think I didn’t know? That I haven’t been playing the same game the two of you were, pretending everything was fine when it wasn’t? Being the good, obedient daughter because it kept
peace in the house. Or maybe that’s only what I wanted to believe, that if I somehow tried a little harder I could fix whatever was broken between you. That I could...” She swatted at a tear that had escaped out of the corner of her eye. “That I could somehow make us into something that at least looked like a real family.”
In the wake of her father’s silence, she scrubbed the space between her brows. “Which I suppose made me exactly like Mother, didn’t it? Who’s only ever cared about appearances. Which is why she’s got her panties in such a twist now, because her dream wedding for her daughter went up in smoke. Yes, I’ll own my role in going along with it all, which is part of what I’m dealing with now. I wasn’t a totally innocent bystander. Still. Whatever your issues are with Mother, I can’t be your buffer anymore. Because you know what? If I’m here trying to figure out how to handle my own life, I think it’s way past time the two of you figured out yours. Stay together or don’t, I don’t care. But for heaven’s sake, be freaking honest with each other. Not to mention with yourselves.”
Another long spate of silence preceded, “That’s no way for a child to speak to her parent.”
“Yeah, well, maybe that’s because I’m not a child anymore.”
Shaking, she cut off the call...
...only to look up to see Colin standing a few feet away, his expression unreadable behind his sunglasses.
* * *
Guessing by the deep blush that blazed across her cheeks, Emily really hadn’t known he was there. Not that Colin had tried to sneak up on her or anything—as big as he was, that would’ve been impossible, anyway—but apparently she’d been too engrossed in her conversation to notice much of anything.
And by the time he realized exactly how personal the call was, it was too late for any kind of a graceful exit. Meaning he couldn’t decide whether to feel like a jerk...or proud as hell of her.
“Sorry,” he said, grateful they were alone, at least. Things would get busier later on, once school let out and the summer tourists descended, but this time of year what passed for downtown Whispering Pines vacillated between slow and dead.
“It’s okay,” Emily said, her eyes closing as she let her head drop back against the adobe wall behind the bench. Although the frown etched into her forehead said otherwise. “How much did you hear?”
“Probably more than you want to know.” Eyes still closed, she grunted. “That can’t have been easy.”
After a moment, she opened her eyes, then patted the space beside her on the bench. Colin hesitated, then sat. And of course a breeze picked that exact moment to blow her scent in his direction. Whatever it was, it should be illegal. Especially since, even after a week, he could still smell her in his house. Although he’d be willing to bet that was the power of suggestion.
She forked her fingers through her ponytail, which cascaded over one breast like a caramel-colored waterfall, and Colin had to look away. “At least you had the courage to leave before things got toxic,” she said.
Feeling his own face warm, Colin leaned forward, his hands linked between his spread knees. “I don’t know that I would’ve put it that way back then, but...maybe.” His mouth pushed to one side. “Levi was the one who seemed to actually get off on getting up in Dad’s face about stuff. Whereas I...”
“Escaped?”
“Pretty much.” He hauled in a breath. “It’s hard to stand up for yourself when you haven’t figured out yet who you are.”
Emily released a soft laugh. “Tell me about it.”
His gaze swung to the side of her face. “So I take it you just did?”
That got another, stronger laugh. “I wish. I mean...” Her brow pleated, she faced him again. “I think I’m finally getting a feel for what I need to do. To be.” She looked away again. “But right now, it’s like...a glimmer. A promise. I’ve got a ways to go before I get any real handle on who I am, you’re right. That conversation...it was a first tiny step on the beginning of a long, very overdue journey. One I have to take by myself.”
In other words, she was right where Colin had been all those years ago, when everything was so new and shiny, if a little scary. In some ways he almost envied her.
He also hadn’t missed the “by myself” part of all of that.
She was absolutely right, of course. Trying to figure out all the stuff she clearly needed to figure out would be nearly impossible with another person tossed into the equation. And her recognizing that was admirable as hell. Never mind the small, selfish, extraordinarily stupid part of him that actually had the nerve to feel disappointed. What the hell?
Half smiling, Colin leaned back again, his arms folded high on his chest. “No, I’d say the first step was you coming out here. Breaking away. But what I just heard... I’d say that was a much bigger step than you’re giving yourself credit for.”
“Thanks,” she said after a moment. “Although I can’t hide forever. Much as I might like to. A little space to get my head on straight is all well and good, but even I know I need to face my issues with my parents head-on. Otherwise I’m simply doing what I’ve always done.” Her mouth pulled flat. “And sooner rather than later, before I totally wear out my welcome. But not until after the wedding, I imagine.”
Colin watched as a young couple he didn’t recognize walked hand in hand across the street, window-shopping. “That’s next week.” A realization that hit him way harder than it should’ve, that she’d be leaving soon. After all, wouldn’t that make his own decision easier?
“Ten days. And I know. My parents don’t, though. That I’m staying until then.”
“Rebel,” he said, and she laughed. A nice laugh, low and rich. One he wouldn’t mind hearing closer to his ear...
“So what’re you doing in town, anyway?” she asked.
“Needed to get out for a minute,” Colin said, jerking his thoughts back in line. “Get away. Like I said before. And Josh’d said something about Deanna being almost ready to open the gallery, so I thought I’d kill a couple birds with one stone and come see.” He twisted around to look inside through the plate glass window. “She’s already got customers?”
Emily chuckled, then got to her feet. “Heck, she’s already sold three pieces, and arranged a commission on a fourth. Not that I’m surprised,” she said, facing the wide window with a grin stretched across her face. “I never doubted for a minute Dee could make a go of this. She’s got an eye like none other. Not to mention business smarts that’d put most CEOs to shame.”
And damned if her obvious pride in her cousin didn’t provoke an ache so sharp it actually hurt. Ignoring it—sorta—Colin stood as well, his hands jammed in his front pockets. “Deanna’s real lucky to have a friend like you.”
Emily twisted around, her smile somehow reaching inside Colin to twist him up even harder. “Dee’s been a good friend to me, too. Even when I didn’t deserve it. Well.” She nodded toward the door. “Shall we?”
“Sure,” Colin said, when all he really wanted to do was take his butt somewhere, anywhere, where Emily wasn’t. Where he couldn’t see the sun teasing those silky golden strands tangling with her eyelashes or hear that laugh or smell her, God help him.
Someplace where that combination of bone-deep goodness and rebelliousness couldn’t slap him around until he didn’t know which end was up...even as it reminded him of someone else who’d had that exact same effect on him.
And look how that had worked out. Or hadn’t.
However, he supposed he could tough it out for another couple of weeks, if he had to, until she left, went back to her real life. Another couple of weeks to ignore the ache and the pull and all the rest of it.
He could do that, sure. Piece of cake.
* * *
The next morning, Emily came out to the kitchen to see her cousin seated at the table rocking a wailing, red-cheeked Katie, Mama look
ing pretty much like she was an inch away from tears herself. On his knees in a chair beside her and fisting spoonfuls of Cocoa Puffs into his mouth like there was no tomorrow, Austin kept giving his baby stepsister the side-eye, as though wishing she’d shut up already.
“Another tooth coming in,” Dee said over the caterwauling. She was still in her pajamas, her hair porcupined around her slightly gray face. “I’m supposed to take Austin into school this morning, but...”
Already dressed in jeans and a lightweight cardigan over her sleeveless shirt, Emily drew a cup of coffee from the pot on the counter and sat across from Dee, her heart turning over in her chest at the miserable duo in front of her. She knew how grateful Josh and Dee both were for the part-time preschool the town’s sole elementary school had set up for kids headed for kindergarten the following year, not only to get Austin used to the classroom setting but to give all of them a little breathing room while baby Kate was being so fussy. And normally Josh would have taken the boy to school, since clearly Dee wasn’t going to make it this morning. But he’d gone with Zach into Taos to check out a potential addition to his stable and wouldn’t be back until later that morning.
“So I’ll take him,” Emily said with a grin for the little boy, who grinned back around a mouthful of mashed cereal. “And then when I return—” she turned her smile on her exhausted cousin “—I’m taking over the wee banshee so her mommy can get some sleep.”
“Oh, I couldn’t—”
“Dee? Shut. Up.” She glanced over at a wide-eyed Austin. “And don’t you dare repeat me or your mother may not ever let me talk to you again.”
Deanna pushed out a tired laugh. “You kidding? At this rate I may never let you leave.”
A thought that provoked all manner of ambivalence inside Emily’s already overwrought brain. Especially since, truth be told, she hadn’t been getting a whole lot of sleep, either, these past few nights. Add to that her conversation yesterday with the reason behind her sleepless nights and...uh, boy. Although even she knew the chat itself had far less to do with her insomnia than what hadn’t been said. And most likely wouldn’t be. But man, oh, man—being around Colin was like walking under a power line in a thunderstorm. Zzzzt!
Falling for the Rebound Bride Page 11