Emma

by Angie Wilder

“You heard about my trip?”

  “Why wouldn’t I? Summertime vacation with girlfriends?”

  “It was nice.” The getaway with college friends had refreshed her determination to make it to the top of her profession. Time with successful ladies gave her a needed push to continue the demanding pace in California and the encouragement to reach for her dream job. Plus, a closetful of pretty clothes. Ooh-la-la. The world was their oyster and—

  “Kaley was jealous.”

  “What?” Emma balled up her napkin, squeezing it in her fist. “She told you that?”

  “In a roundabout way.”

  “That’s not good.” Of course, Kaley knew about the trip, but Emma hadn’t shared many details. Not that she’d avoided them, she was just… busy. “Jealous about the vacation or the friends?”

  “Don’t worry about it. Any girl would be green over missing out on Paris.”

  “The trip was an annual alumni type of event. We shared a house together at the university. Those girlfriends are important to me, but Kaley’s the best. She’s like a sister.”

  “I didn’t mean to stir the pot.”

  “I’ll fix it.”

  Evan groaned. “Can we pretend I didn’t mention it?”

  “Why?”

  “You said that you’ll ‘fix it,’ which means you will tell my sister what I said and then she’ll be all ‘how could you?’ Let’s steer this conversation back to reminiscing over your skating. You look cute when your skin turns pink. So back to flailing on the ice.” Evan took a sip of his coffee, blocking his grin.

  “I’m done blushing for the day.” She wasn’t.

  “Challenge accepted. Did you ever stumble on purpose?”

  She sucked in a breath. No way would she answer that. Was Evan flirting with her? He wouldn’t. “Does Lee still coach hockey?”

  “You’re changing the topic.”

  “Maybe.”

  “Maybe you fell on me on purpose?” he said, deliberately misunderstanding, then answered, “He still coaches. I’ve also been helping Dad at the high school.”

  “I’m surprised you have the time.”

  He studied her with a question in his eyes, and a hesitation on his lips.

  Had she missed a critical piece of information? Why was Evan home in Hillcrest, driving her around? Coaching high school hockey in December? He parked in the rear lot next to her daddy’s usual spot.

  “Em, you make time for the things you love.”

  Her tummy felt squishy. He opened the door and stepped out. How did Evan manage his career and space for the things he loves?

  “Ready to go in?” he asked.

  “You’re coming inside?” Wasn’t this just a ride?”

  “Emma, what is going on with you?”

  The veterinary clinic had original yellow siding with ornate white trim and typified the small-town charm of Hillcrest. Ownership was sinking in, the practice was his—Gains and Heartley. Still, he wanted to prove himself to Emma. She had years of experience. Evan had two months. As he rounded the truck to assist Emma down, he puzzled over her odd reaction when he’d parked. “You’re coming inside?” He should have had more tact inquiring why she didn’t seem herself this morning. The situation had him off balance, and that was saying something. He had excellent balance.

  Before he reached her door, she had gripped the handle and hopped out. It disappointed him that he hadn’t moved quickly enough to offer her his hand. Earlier, something about the way her palm fit against his had had rendered him silent for the initial few blocks. He was curious, is all.

  Emma drew the edges of her coat collar together and tucked a wayward piece of hair behind her ear. “The world is spinning too fast for me right now.” The wind tugged little strands loose from her braid, and they floated and caught the sunlight. “Daddy’s heart attack, my sudden return, then you showing up this morning. It all has me rattled.”

  He winced. “I’m sorry, Em.” Of course she’s stirred up with worry. Her dad could have died. The Gains were a close-knit family. As close to his family as unrelated relations can get. Hollow panic had washed over him when he’d learned about Ted’s heart attack. Evan could only imagine how it was for Emma. “Your dad will be all right?” Ben had already assured him, but Evan figured it helped to talk about it.

  She nodded, and her chin creased. She looked vulnerable.

  Evan held his arms out, offering a hug. “Come here.”

  Emma melted into him and snuggled tight.

  They needed this. He rested his chin on the silky crown of her head and brushed his lips against her hair. “Everything will turn out fine, better than fine.” He rubbed her back through the bulky wool coat. “You’ll see.”

  “I hope so.” She squeezed him harder. It wasn’t the easy hello hug of an acquaintance. This one had meat. The kind reserved for close friends and loved ones.

  This hug was what they should have exchanged at the front door rather than that crazy dry-spell-ride business.

  With her cheek pressed to his heart, she said, “You smell like man shampoo.”

  “You smell like fruit filling.” Only better. He breathed in a sweet light floral fragrance underneath the fruit. He tipped his chin away.

  “I’m full of cherry filling, thanks to you.” She pulled away; her lips curved up.

  “Yeah, you are. Although, you will become a frozen fruit-pop if we don’t get you inside.” Her legs had to be cold. Evan got out his keys and unlocked the door.

  “I hadn’t thought…” She blinked at him. “I forgot Daddy’s key.”

  “Good thing you have me.” He pushed the door open. “Doctor ladies first.”

  Emma offered him a curious smile and moved inside.

  “Em, before we get started, I wanted to mention I’m grateful for your help. With your dad’s unplanned absence, it’s been hectic.”

  “I’m happy to fill in for Daddy.” She tugged off her coat and strode toward the reception area. Once there, she bent over a stack of boxes and turned the top package to read the label. The delivery sat where Sophie had cleared a space for the office Christmas tree. Emma’s mom would arrive after purchasing said tree later today for the decorating. He’d been forewarned.

  “Prescription dog food,” Evan said, explaining the delivery.

  Emma’s head popped up, shifting her focus to him.

  “It came in yesterday. Right before closing.”

  The spot between her eyebrows scrunched together.

  He rocked onto the balls of his feet and back, sensing there was some other miscommunication taking place between them.

  “Okay,” Emma said, still wearing the dubious expression. “Prescription stock gets stored in the back. Can you move them for me? They aren’t too heavy?”

  With that, Evan grinned and lifted an eyebrow. First, she was ordering him around, and second, “Too heavy?”

  “For your shoulder? Your AC separation. I still want to cry when I think of you spread out on the ice. Time stopped, not knowing the extent of your injury. Worry glued me to my phone, the television, the internet.”

  His collarbone had suffered hairline fractures as it parted ways from his shoulder blade last season. Evan’s last game. He’d had the best medical care, doctors who specialize in athletic injury. The AC separation was common in hockey. He’d taken his therapy seriously, recognizing the odds of his return were slim. At thirty-two there were plenty of fast young players vying for his position. “Good as new.”

  “Does it affect your game?”

  “Nothing affects my game,” he drawled. Why was Emma going on about his game? What difference did it make now? Only Emma didn’t notice his punny answer. She was too busy staring at the office door. His door.

  “Doctor Heartley?” She focused on the name plaque: Evan Heartley, DVM.

  “At your service.”

  She peeked in the room, then back at his name. She didn’t appear to be breathing.

  “Em?”

  “But… hockey?
”

  In all that is holy. Evan stared at her dumbfounded. “I don’t play anymore. The Wild retired me.” This was the miscommunication?

  She frowned and nodded, glancing between him and his new office. “Right! I forgot. You look so… fit!”

  “Emma? You didn’t know?”

  “I’m just jet-lagged.” She pressed her fingers to the center of her forehead.

  He could iron this out, get them on track. “I heard you’ve been working nonstop to earn a partnership at that clinic in Beverly Hills. I don’t blame you for being too busy to follow my career.”

  “Evan, I do! Well, not this season. You retired! And if you hadn’t, I’m still recovering from seeing you laid out on the ice. I’m… adjusting.” She looked ready to cry, with her hand pressed to her head.

  He captured her fingers in his and lowered them from her face. “I think you’re putting a dent in your skull.”

  “It’s my third-eye meridian.” She gave him a soft grin.

  Emma and her holistic healing. He returned the smile. He wondered if there was a meridian button he could press to help block the weird warmth he was experiencing from holding her hand. “Em, I didn’t make pro until I was twenty-six. I didn’t think I ever would after years of playing in the minor leagues, but then I got a lucky break. By then, I’d just about finished my degree program.”

  “I remember.”

  “At the start of the season…” He paused, collecting his thoughts. “The truth is, my shoulder isn’t as good as new. I’m not in any pain, but it affected my ability to drive the big plays.”

  “I’m sorry, Evan.”

  “Don’t be. Veterinary medicine is my long game. I’ve been here ever since.” He released her fingers.

  “Why? You’re rich. You don’t have to work. Or you could model underwear.”

  “Underwear?” He smirked. “You consider me handsome enough?”

  Emma rushed toward the boxes and grabbed the top case. “I… it’s… you’re—”

  “You heard. The offer was for billboard ads. Can you imagine that?” He followed her lead and picked up the two remaining packages.

  She hugged the carton to her chest, looked him up and down, and muttered, “Traffic jam.”

  “Em?” He smiled. Did she find him attractive enough to stop traffic?

  Emma slammed her eyes shut and ran.

  What the— “Counter!” he warned. Ah hell. Emma was running from him. He thought they were good, that he’d fixed the confusion.

  “Right!” she yipped as she clipped her elbow on the welcome desk and kept moving.

  Emma’s bright red flush meant she’d hit her limit. That and the running. It had been a hell of a morning. It brought him back to the time Emma had eaten his last slice of birthday cake. Mom had set aside two pieces as an after-school treat for Kaley and him. When he’d interrupted the girl’s cake snack, embarrassment had rolled off Emma and shame had made her flee for home. To him, it wasn’t a big deal. Later that afternoon, she’d returned with a plate-sized brownie. She’d spelled his name out in white chocolate chips. Em hated to make mistakes. She often overdid with her apologies. Not knowing about his retirement and working at the clinic was a massive oversight on her part. He’d cut her some slack. Emma was here to help. A month away from her Beverly Hills clinic was big. Kaley had reminded him Emma was distracted these days. Consumed with her career. She appeared to be at the breaking point.

  When he caught up, she had opened the carton and was shelving the cans in a military-straight line.

  “Do you need ice for your elbow?” He set his boxes down, then laid a hand on the sleeve of her dress. He hoped the easy touch didn’t hurt.

  “I’m fine.” She shook out her arm to prove her point, offered him a small smile, and added, “Doctor.” As she lined up cans, her pace slowed, and she regained her composure. “When will the desk help show? Marean. Daddy’s… I mean, your office assistant. Don’t we open soon?”

  Marean? Had she forgotten this too? “Dr. Anderson retired to Florida six weeks ago, and he took his wife with him. We have a temp worker coming in.” He watched her tug the tape free as she worked on another box.

  “I remember now. There was a party. A dinner that Kaley catered.” Emma nodded, appearing relieved to have recalled something.

  “You’ve got packaging tape stuck on your…” He rubbed a palm on his chest. There was a swath of tape that traveled across her… top area.

  Emma hissed out a breath and ripped the offending bit free. She shot him an exaggerated grimace. “Can we start this morning over? I am a mess. I promise you I’m a much better doctor.” She balled up the sticky strip.

  She was a gong-show today, but truth be told, he was fighting his own nerves. He needed her help. Running the practice on his own two months into the partnership was a responsibility he’d rather not carry alone. “Em, are you okay with the two of us working together?”

  “Of course!” Her gaze met his without hesitation. Then her hands smoothed down her dress.

  “Good,” he said.

  “Good.” She grinned.

  “I’m new, but I pull my weight.”

  Emma’s brow scrunched up then smoothed, and she placed her hand on his arm. “Evan, I’m sure you’re a great doctor. Daddy wouldn’t have you here, offer you a partnership, if there were any doubt.”

  “Thanks, Em.” A knot in his chest loosened, but he wondered if she was okay with him filling the space that should be hers, could still be hers. There was more than enough work to go around. “The door is always open to you, Em. I’m not trying to take your place.”

  “You can have my place, Evan. My big opportunity is in California.”

  He realized this, but hearing her say it left him empty. “All right, but this December we’re a team.” He held up a fist for a knuckle bump. “Here’s to working side by side, Dr. Gains.”

  “Side by side, Dr. Heartley.” Emma raised her hand and touched her fist to his.

  “You bump like a girl.”

  “I do a lot of things like a girl,” she said.

  Evan grinned, watching her saunter away.

  4

  Emma slipped into her father’s office. She needed five minutes to collect her crazy-flabbergasting self before her emotions bubbled any further over the edge of sanity. In front of Evan. Her coworker! They had a job to do together. Of all the sexy, kind, maddening guys… Doggone it, those tingles of attraction she’d once suffered weren’t entirely dormant. A little nurturing and they’d be alive and well. Worse, they weren’t young crush tingles anymore. She was all grown up now and knew how these things were satisfied. Not happening. Evan had been and always would be just a friend. Besides, she was here to help the clinic. Emma was a professional, and this a work environment. She’d pull herself together. Pronto. She wouldn’t waste time worrying over an unwanted attraction when she had enough concerns with Daddy’s recovery and her Beverly Hills partnership on the line.

  Emma dumped her bag on the massive oak desk and picked out the tiny bottle of Frankincense. If there was ever a day she required the king of essential oils, it was now.

  She lowered herself into the leather wingback. The space comforted her like a favorite blanket. The familiar dark woods, the leather-bound library, and the long wavy glass windows filled the suite with memories and sunlight. It was a special practice, a modern medical facility housed in timeless comfort. The scent of antiques, Band-Aids, and lemon polish lingered in the air, like always. The old rust and cream-colored sofa, the same one that had always been there, tempted her to lay her head on the worn cushions. She’d played here with her stuffed animals as a girl and studied here as a teen. This is where she grew up.

  How could she be so far out of the loop, so out of touch? Emma hadn’t realized that her focus to achieve her dream job had narrowed to the point that her goals had affected her relationships with the people she cared about most.

  Emma shook a couple of drops of Frankincense into her
palm. The label’s warning can kiss her yogi buttocks, she was applying the treatment full strength. She rubbed her hands together and inhaled the piney, lemony aroma. Then she kneaded the back of her neck, willing the tension to ease. She pressed her fingertips below the base of her skull, clearing the meridian energy at Heaven’s Pillar.

  How did she not know that had Evan graduated with a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree?

  Emma had unintentionally checked out of their lives. No wonder Evan said that Kaley’s feelings were hurt over Paris. And Evan… Surely her family had told her that he’d partnered with Daddy. Emma’s mind must have been elsewhere—on the Beverly Hills partnership. Her cheeks burned. She promised herself she’d do better from this point forward.

  She shouldn’t have been surprised that Evan chose the clinic. Back when he was only sixteen, when her family had been babysitting a litter of Himalayan kittens, he’d confided his desire to become a veterinarian.

  She’d said, “Then you can work at my daddy’s practice, and we’ll be one big happy family.”

  “I’ll take that deal.” There was an easy smile on his face and honesty in his eyes. She could also see how exhausted he was from early hockey practice. As he stroked the kitten, his eyelids grew heavy. Soon Evan stretched out on the couch and was fast asleep with his fuzzy pal. As the litter tired, one by one they joined the nap, snuggling up on Evan. The kittens recognized a good thing when they saw it. Emma moved the floor pillow a tad closer and wondered what it would be like to kiss him.

  Would Evan’s lips be soft and gentle, like the way he held the kitty? She touched her fingertips to her mouth, testing the light caress. A kitten stretched and rubbed against Evan’s collar. He didn’t stir. Emma scooted a little closer. She had never kissed a boy. His lips were only the slightest bit apart, but if he woke…

  “You ready, Em?” Evan said.

  Emma jolted from her memory and dropped her guilty fingertips from her lips. With her pulse pounding, she stammered, “I require my kiss. Coat! I need a lab coat! I packed some in my suitcase, but in the morning’s rush, I left the house without mine.” Flustered, she bent down and opened the lowest left-hand drawer, relieved to have an excuse to hide behind the desk. Ack, the man has an effect on me. She wanted to curl up like a caterpillar and hide for the rest of the day. Why was she even thinking about kissing Evan? Oh, right. The veterinarian thing. There must have been a celebration when he graduated. Their families loved get-togethers. There was no way he’d failed to include her. Her stomach sunk.