Emily's Choice

by Heather McCoubrey

  “You can do this,” Gina said fiercely. “And tonight, when it’s over and everyone has gone home, we’ll go down to The Dustbowl and get shit-faced.”

  “Deal,” Emily said, offering a small smile.

  When the minister stood at the pulpit, all talking ceased. Emily sat back and listened as the minister, her father, and several of Grace’s friends honored her. She was doing well until Hope went up to give her eulogy. Hope spoke of meeting Emily and Tyler for the first time, how happy she’d been to be accepted into their family. How the loss of her father had devastated her, but the love and acceptance from Clint, Tyler, and Emily had helped to heal not only her, but also Grace. The best decision Grace had ever made had come in the move to Mosquero. With tears in her eyes, she looked straight at Clint and thanked him for his love, acceptance, and his family.

  “My mother was happier here than I’d ever seen her, even in Boston. She found herself out here in the desert and she bloomed. I’ll miss her so much. She got cheated out of so much, but I know she’s looking down on us,” Hope said, smiling through her tears. “And she’s at peace.”

  When the service ended, they all piled back into the cars and followed the hearse to the cemetery. The grave-side service was short, and all too soon, the casket was being lowered and they were taking turns throwing dirt down on it.

  Friends, family, and acquaintances filed by to offer their condolences. Emily was itching to be gone, needing some time to process all the emotions she was feeling, before having to share her home and her stories with everyone. After what seemed like an hour, they were back in the SUV and on their way to the ranch.

  What she really wanted was to saddle a horse and take a long, hard ride across the desert. She needed the wind whipping past her face, the chance to be alone, to lash out and expend some of the emotions swirling around inside her. She couldn’t do it today, but she promised herself that first thing in the morning, she’d do just that.

  They arrived back at the house before anyone else. She assumed most had gone home to get their food offerings and maybe even change into something a little more comfortable.

  Emily went straight to the fridge to start taking out the food she’d purchased for today. She also poured herself a stiff drink, her standard rum and coke, and guzzled down the first glass without stopping for a breath. She poured herself another and set it aside while she prettied up the food.

  Two more drinks later, people began to arrive and Emily had a good start on numbing her pain and grief. She wandered through the house, stopping every now and then to thank people for coming. Most gave her a hug and shared some tidbit about Grace. Most were happy or funny stories and Emily was able to keep her tears at bay.

  She was sitting on the couch in the living room, chatting with Chloe, when Lila arrived. Hope had mentioned Lila’s visit and her edict that Lila stay away from the reception. Without realizing it, Emily stood and stormed over to Lila. She reached back and slapped her in the face. “How dare you?!” Emily whispered urgently. “Get out!”

  “Excuse me?” Lila said, reaching up and holding her cheek.

  “You know you aren’t welcome here. Hope made that plain. Get out. Leave!” Emily said, grabbing her arm and leading her toward the door.

  “I’m here to pay my respects,” Lila yelled, trying to pull her arm out of Emily’s grasp.

  “We don’t want them!” Emily pushed open the screen door and hauled Lila out onto the porch. “Get off our property and don’t come back.”

  Emily turned to reenter the house when Lila reached out and snatched Emily’s arm. “You’re the one who’s unwelcome here,” Lila sneered.

  “What’s that supposed to mean?”

  “You broke their hearts when you ran away. How dare you come back here? You act like you never left, like you still own the town and the house.”

  Emily yanked her arm out of Lila’s grasp and took a step closer to Lila. “Get out! You have no right to be here, you have no right to speak to me. You ruined our lives, every single one of us. You’re poison, Lila. Go away.”

  Gina and Phoebe came out onto the porch and flanked Emily. “Problem?” Gina drawled.

  Lila’s fury shone bright in her eyes. She glared at each of them in turn and stormed off to her car.

  Gina and Phoebe made a show of dusting off their hands and turned back toward the door. “Let it go, Em,” Phoebe said quietly. “She did this on purpose, to rile you up and upset you more.”

  “She succeeded.”

  “Of course she did, it’s what she does. But let it go for now. You can take it out on something later, but right now you have to go in there and act like the grieving daughter you are,” Gina advised.

  “I know, I know,” Emily mumbled, blowing out a deep breath. “I just need a minute.” She turned and sat on the porch swing. “Shit!”

  Gina and Phoebe followed and sat down next to her.

  “She’ll come back,” Emily said. “I doubt today, but she’ll be back for her pound of flesh at some point before I go home.”

  Gina nodded. “And when she does, give her the hell she deserves.”

  “Why can’t she just leave well enough alone? She got what she wanted. I left town and she got Jason all to herself. Why couldn’t she have just left us alone today? Just one day. That’s not too much to ask for, is it?”

  Gina rubbed Emily’s back and Phoebe stood, pacing in front of the swing.

  “That’s not who she is,” Phoebe said. “She was put on the Earth to cause hate and dissension. She’s at her happiest when she’s bringing misery to everyone.”

  “And we have to do our best to take the high road and ignore her,” Gina continued.

  “But it’s her aunt’s funeral,” Emily cried.

  “Doesn’t matter,” Phoebe said. “She doesn’t care about anyone but herself.”

  Emily sighed. “I know.”

  “What do you want to do?” Gina asked.

  “I don’t know. I need to go back in there,” she said, pointing toward the door. “But I think I want to just catch the first plane home. I can’t take this; I really can’t. Between Grace’s death, Jason’s hovering, and now Lila—I just can’t take anymore.”

  She really couldn’t. Lila’s appearance was the last straw. She knew Sadie wanted to stay, hell—everyone wanted her to stay. But she just couldn’t see herself doing it. Not with Lila still living here. Or Jason, for that matter. How could she stay? He broke her trust and her heart. And the one he broke it with was making it her mission in life to make Emily’s life hell.

  Chapter Twenty-Seven

  Two hours later, Emily was sitting with her aunt and cousin when Tyler appeared in front of her. “There’s someone here to see you, Em. I put him in Dad’s office.”

  A puzzled frown crossed her face. She wasn’t expecting anyone and couldn’t fathom who would be here for her. “Who is it?”

  Tyler shrugged. “Don’t know, but he said it was urgent and would only take a moment.”

  “Hm.” Emily stood and went to her father’s office. She opened the door and found a man standing by her father’s desk. “Can I help you?” she asked.

  “Hello, Emily.” He walked toward her with his hand held out.

  “I’m sorry, do I know you?” she asked, folding her arms against her chest.

  “Not yet, but we’re about to get very well acquainted.”

  Emily took a step back. “Listen, we’re in the middle of a funeral. Whatever you have to say to me is nowhere near as important as that.”

  “I think you’ll change your mind once you hear what I have to say.”

  Emily tapped a finger against her arm, eyebrow raised. “Then say it so I can get back to my guests.”

  “You need to come with me.”

  “Excuse me?”

  “The life of your daughter depends on it.”

  Emily’s heart stopped and she dropped her arms to her sides. “What are you talking about? What have you done?”

&nbs
p; “She is safe right now, but if you don’t come with me—quietly and willingly—then I can’t promise her fate.”

  “Of course she’s safe,” Emily said with forced bravado. Sadie was still next door with Papa Joe, she had to be. He would have called her if Sadie was missing.

  “No, that she isn’t.”

  “Who are you?” Emily yelled.

  “My name is Edward.”

  “What do you want? How do I get Sadie back?”

  “Come with me.”

  Emily took a deep breath and nodded. “All right, I’ll come. What do I need? Money?”

  “No.”

  She followed Edward out of her father’s office, down the hall, and through the living room. She kept her eyes on his back, knowing if she caught anyone’s eye, she’d give up the charade and risk Sadie’s safety.

  Scenarios flew through her mind, all bad. She tried to tamp down the panic that was threatening to take over. Her mind was so busy on the worst case thoughts that she almost missed Sadie’s giggle. But there it was, distinct and safe across the room.

  She stopped in her tracks and quickly scanned the room. Her eyes almost immediately found Sadie, sitting on Jason’s lap. Her panic dropped a half level. But she was still scared. Right on the heels of “she’s safe” came “who is this man and why is he threatening us?”

  She caught Jason’s eye for a second, and he must have sensed something was wrong because he handed Sadie off to Phoebe and started in her direction. She averted her gaze and caught up with Edward who was just opening the screen door.

  When he cleared the threshold, Emily closed the screen door between them. “I don’t know what game you’re playing, but it ends now. If you show your face around here again, I’ll call the sheriff.”

  Edward walked to the screen door and tried to open it. “Your daughter’s life is hanging in the balance, lady.”

  “My daughter is safe and sound, this I know as fact. Get off my property.”

  He opened his mouth as if to say something, but Jason arrived and stood like a sentry behind her.

  “Problem?” he drawled.

  “No, this man was just leaving.”

  Rage burned in Edward’s eyes as he turned on his heel and left.

  “Who was that?” Jason asked.

  “I don’t know who he was,” she said, turning away from the door and moving into the living room. She scanned the room again, searching for Sadie. She needed, more than anything right now, to hold her baby girl. Who would threaten a baby?

  She found Phoebe by Grace’s piano. Tyler was playing one of Grace’s favorite songs. Sadie was smiling, clapping, and dancing in Phoebe’s arms.

  “Mama! Dance!”

  Emily smiled, tears brimming in her eyes. The sudden release of adrenaline made her weepy and even more out of sorts than she already was.

  “Why are you crying?” Jason asked.

  She jumped, not realizing he’d followed her. “You know why I’m crying,” she said, keeping her face averted. She held out her hands and Sadie jumped into her arms. Emily buried her face in Sadie’s neck, breathing deeply of her baby scent. Thank God she was safe.

  Jason took hold of Emily’s arm. Startled, she looked up and knew immediately that she’d given everything she was thinking and feeling away.

  “What’s going on, Emily?”

  “I don’t know!”

  “Who was that man? What did he want?”

  “Look, this isn’t the time or place.” She nodded toward Sadie.

  “You’re scared. I can see it in your eyes!”

  Emily sighed. She nodded toward the kitchen and handed Sadie back to Phoebe. Emily walked through the kitchen and out onto the back porch.

  “I don’t know who he was. He said his name was Edward. He just showed up and told me to go with him because Sadie’s life was in danger. He wanted me to believe he’d kidnapped Sadie. And I was on my way to go with him when I heard Sadie giggling across the room.”

  “And you didn’t think this was important to tell me? She’s my daughter, too.”

  “I know that. But it was over, he left. And Sadie is fine.”

  “But there was still a threat. A threat happened. One that you were gonna sacrifice yourself for.” He reached out and pulled her to his chest. “When are you gonna realize you don’t have to do this all alone?”

  For a moment, she allowed herself to revel in the strength and comfort he offered. She’d missed this. She could admit it to herself. But never to him. She took a deep breath in, capturing his scent in her memory, and then stepped back.

  “He said he’d hurt her. I couldn’t risk not going with him.”

  Jason nodded. “Until we figure out who he is and what he wants, Sadie can’t be left alone.”

  “Jason, she’s eighteen months old. She can’t be left alone anyway.” She smiled to take the sting out of her words.

  “Right.” He grinned. “You shouldn’t be alone either. It’s obvious you were his main objective.”

  She sighed. “Jason, I’ve told you. We,” she moved her finger between them, “aren’t a thing. Don’t try to use this as some way to slither your way back into my good graces.”

  He stiffened. Hurt and anger flashed in his eyes. She immediately regretted her words.

  He turned and started walking away from her. “I need some air. Tell Sadie I’ll be back in a little bit.”

  Emily reached out a hand. “I’m sorry,” she said softly.

  Turning, he glared at her. “Excuse me for still caring about you. But hey, you’ve proved just how independent you are. I get it. You don’t trust me. You don’t need me.” He turned his back on her. “Do what you want. You’ve been doing that all along, anyway. Why stop now?” With that stinging barb, he stalked off.

  Gina appeared behind her. “What’s his problem?”

  Shaking her head, she cast sad eyes on Gina. “I messed up.”

  “Care to elaborate?”

  “Not right now.” She looked back at Jason’s retreating back and for a split second thought she should chase him down. But what would she say?

  What hadn’t been said a thousand times already?

  Chapter Twenty-Eight

  “Let’s go, before they drink all the beer.” Gina stood at the door, keys jangling in her hand.

  “Like that’ll ever happen.” Emily laughed, grabbing her purse and joining Gina by the door.

  “If it does, it’ll be today—the day we need it most,” Phoebe said, opening the screen door and walking out onto the porch.

  They climbed into Gina’s SUV and Emily immediately rolled the window down. The fresh air felt good on her face, and she couldn’t remember the last time she breathed in clean air. It felt good to fill her lungs with air that didn’t have car smoke and pollution tainting it.

  “The service was nice,” Phoebe said softly.

  Emily nodded.

  “Why isn’t Hope joining us tonight?”

  “Derek has to fly out tomorrow. Something happened with one of his clients and it’s an emergency, I guess. So she went to Santa Fe with him.”

  “What’s he do?”

  Emily shook her head. “I have no idea. I thought he was in insurance, but Dad said it has something to do with finances. And Tyler said something about buying and selling companies.” She blew out a breath. “I have no idea, but he’s successful at whatever it is he does.”

  “Hm,” Phoebe said.

  “Sadie and Jason seem to be thick as thieves,” Gina observed.

  “That they are,” Emily admitted.

  Phoebe clapped her hands. “Yes!”

  “And?” Gina asked.

  Shaking her head, Emily sighed and looked out the window. “And what?”

  “And are you moving home?”

  “Nooo,” Emily drawled. “Not going to happen, guys. You know that.”

  “Why not?” Gina and Phoebe demanded.

  “Because,” Emily said, splaying her hands in front of her, “we have
a life in Boston. It’s the only life Sadie knows. But mostly,” covering her face with her hands, she dropped her head, chin tucked against her chest, “because I still love him,” she whispered.

  “What was that?” Gina asked.

  “Did you say what I think you said?” Phoebe shrieked.

  Emily nodded and looked up through the windshield. “I do. I knew it as soon as I laid eyes on him at the hospital and I confirmed it this afternoon when he pulled me in for a hug.”

  “What?” Gina squealed. “When did this happen?”

  “What are you talking about?” Phoebe demanded. “We want all the deets. I can’t believe you’ve waited this long to tell us!”

  “There’s nothing to tell. I was upset and he must have read the signals wrong.”

  “You know he loves you, too,” Gina said.

  “It takes more than love. It takes trust, too. And I’ll never be able to trust him again.”

  “But —”

  “How about we talk about something else?” Emily asked again. “For now, let’s assume Jason and moving back here are off limits. We can talk about anything else.”

  “You really know how to dampen the mood,” Gina said dryly. “But we shall abide by your wishes.”

  Phoebe patted Emily’s shoulder. “Have you ever had Love Potion?”

  Emily sighed. “Is this your way of abiding by my wishes?”

  Phoebe laughed and shook her head. “It’s a drink, silly. It’s Malibu, Peach Schnapps, and cranberry juice.”

  “Sounds delicious.” Emily smiled. “Do they have it at The Dustbowl?”

  Phoebe nodded. “Ben keeps the ingredients on hand for me. It’s my favorite.”

  “I can’t wait to try it.” She turned to Gina. “What does Ben keep for you?”

  “Just beer,” she answered, turning into the back parking lot.

  They gathered their purses and stepped out of the SUV. Linking arms, they sauntered around the building to the front door. When they stepped into the bar, Emily released a sigh of contentment. The inside of the bar was dark, the music loud, and the chance for anonymity high. She wanted to disappear, drink away her blues, and be with her girls . . . and this place seemed to be the answer.