by Devney Perry
“This place is gonna be great, Nick,” Jess said.
“Thanks, Brick. Appreciate you coming over and checking it out,” Nick said.
“Any time.” He reached out for a handshake. “I’m taking off. Georgia wants to celebrate Rowen’s last day of kindergarten.”
“I’m going to miss her,” I told Jess.
“She’s gonna miss you too.”
“I’m heading out too,” Ryan said, also shaking Nick’s hand. “I’ll get the original bid I did for Emmeline updated this weekend. Shoot it over to you on Monday. I’ve got extra hands right now. A couple of the kids that worked for me last summer are home from college. Maybe start at the end of June if you want.”
“We’ll talk about it tonight and I’ll let you know. Thanks, Ryan.”
When we were alone, I looked up at Nick with a hopeful smile. “Does this mean you’re considering a career change?”
“Yeah.”
“Yes!” I yelled, the sound echoing throughout the empty room.
Nick picked me up and spun me around. I threw my head back and watched the room twirl around me.
Things just kept getting better. It was hard to even process this much happiness.
“I love you, Emmy,” he said, looking up at me.
“I love you, Nick.”
We were finally getting our happy ending, starting the life that we had both longed for all those years ago.
It was a shame that the devils from the past wouldn’t let us live in peace.
I detested summer.
Which was unusual, considering it was my second favorite season behind spring. It had only been a month since school let out and I was bored out of my mind.
I struggled to find enough activity to occupy my time during the day until Nick got home each night. I lived for our weekends, and because they had become so precious, I was in a particularly grumpy mood today since Nick was at work.
Today was one of the Saturdays each spring that his volunteer crew did all-day field training. With forest fire season starting soon, they were doing extinguishing drills in the foothills outside of town with Beau at the Forest Service.
Rather than wallow inside alone and watch the clock, first thing this morning, I had jumped in the Jeep and driven to the garden center. I was going to liven up the front porch with flowers.
Did I have the first clue about planting? No.
Were the flowers likely going to die within two weeks? Definitely.
“You realize they make other colors of flowers, right?”
“Ahh!” I screamed, jumping up to my feet and whirling around. Dirt and a large petunia went flying through the air.
“Sorry!” Nick said, holding up his hands. “I thought you heard me pull up.”
“I did not,” I gasped. The music filtering from the house had been too loud and I had been concentrating on my task. “You scared me half to death!”
He sucked his lower lip in between his teeth and tried to stop his chest from shaking.
“It’s not funny, Nick! I nearly had a heart attack!” I crossed my dirty arms over my dirty shirt and glared at my husband as he burst into hysterics.
“I’m sorry. You look adorable,” he said, crossing the yard.
“I’m a mess.”
“An adorable mess.” He picked at the dirt and leaves stuck in my ponytail.
“You’re home early,” I said. “How did your training go?”
“Awesome. The team rocked the course in record time. I see you’ve been busy,” he said, surveying the porch.
“They’re probably all going to die within a week.” I frowned.
“Then you can just replant them all again,” he said, kissing my forehead. “That should give you something to do at least.”
“I’m going crazy,” I said. “I’ve never been this antsy before. What’s wrong with me?”
“Nothing. You’re just adjusting to a new routine. By the end of the summer, you’ll love the slower pace.”
“Doubtful.”
“Ryan called me while I was driving home,” Nick said. “They’re ready to start on the garage next week. I told him that you were going to coordinate everything.”
“Thank goodness. I can’t wait for a project.”
Nick grabbed my hands and pinned them behind my back. With his chest pressed up against mine, he looked down at me and grinned.
“Got some more good news today too. Michael Holt is looking to quit his job so I talked to him about replacing me at the fire station.”
“Really? That would be great! What did he say?” I asked.
“He was a little intimidated at first but I talked to him for a while. I think he’d be a good fit,” Nick said. “As long as I stay on as a volunteer, the rural council should sign off on him. He’s pretty young but I think he’d do a good job.”
For the last couple of weeks, Nick and I had been talking a lot about the garage and how we’d run it together. Every day he’d gotten more and more excited, but he was hesitant to leave the fire department completely.
He had built his life as a firefighter and if he wasn’t going to run the department, he felt he should at least stay on as a volunteer. It scared me a little but mostly I was proud of his courage and dedication.
“I’m glad it could all work out,” I said.
“Me too. You realize I hate the color yellow, right?” he whispered.
“What?” My mouth fell open. If he hated yellow, then the plethora of flowers I had on the front porch was a gigantic mistake.
“Kidding,” he teased.
I rolled my eyes.
“That’s what I was going for,” he said, which got him another eye roll. “Two in a row.”
“Quit teasing me.”
Nick bent down to brush his lips against mine. “Never. I love that eye roll.”
And just because it would make him happy, I gave him one more.
For the next hour, I finished planting my yellow flowers while Nick kept me company. We talked about the garage, his design ideas and thoughts for getting new business.
The minute we walked into the house, my phone rang.
“It’s my father,” I grumbled. I hadn’t talked to him since Easter. I had made the decision not to share the details of my attempted kidnapping with him or my mother. Mom would just worry whereas he would blame the entire thing on Nick and use it against him in the future.
I scrunched up my nose but decided to take the call. “Hello, Father.”
“Emmeline!”
“Steffie?” I said. “Is everything okay? Why are you calling me from Father’s phone?”
“Oh, he’s here too,” she said. “Say hi, Trent.”
“Emmeline. Hello,” he muttered. Clearly, this group chat wasn’t his idea.
“We’re coming to visit you,” Steffie announced.
“Uh . . .” My tongue felt too big for my mouth. Seeing Steffie would be nice. But my father? In the same state as Nick? Nothing good could come from this visit.
“Hello?” Steffie said. “Did you hear me?”
I shook my head a bit and regained control of my speech. “Yes. When will you be here?”
“Monday,” she said.
“What? You mean the day after tomorrow?”
“Yes. You’re not working, right?”
“Um, no.”
“Okay then. We’ll be there Monday.”
I racked my brain, frantically searching for any excuse to delay their trip—better yet get them to cancel it altogether—but I couldn’t come up with a thing.
“And we’d like to stay with you.”
No. They could absolutely not stay here. I hadn’t spent an entire day in the same confines as my father for years. “Well, I haven’t had a chance to tell you, but Nick and I actually moved in together. You’d probably be more comfortable at the motel.”
“Don’t you have a guest bedroom?” Steffie asked.
“No, it’s just a little crowded right now. I, um, haven’t unp
acked,” I lied. “How about you both stay at my house?”
“Your house will be fine,” she agreed. “I don’t want to stay at the motel. Now that that’s settled, Trent has a few things he’d like to say to you.”
“Yes, Father?” I asked, mentally preparing for his inevitable criticism.
“Emmeline, I’d like to apologize for my behavior these last few phone calls. I understand I should have handled the news of your marriage differently.”
This phone call was absolutely Steffie’s idea. The apology too. The word “marriage” sounded like it had caused him physical pain. But I decided just to accept it and move on.
“Thank you. I appreciate your apology.”
“Very well. Now that we’ve settled that, let’s discuss our vacation plans. Steffie has convinced me to spend some time getting to know your husband.” There was that tone again. “Please plan something for the two of us do alone while you girls catch up.”
“I’m sure that can be arranged,” I said.
“Fine. Now we have other news.”
“Yes?”
“I’m pregnant,” Steffie announced.
I reached out a hand, swiping it in the air, trying to find anything to hold onto. My legs were giving out and I was light-headed.
“Fuck. I’ve got you,” Nick said, rushing to catch me. It was a good thing he had been standing close or I would have hit the floor. “Breathe, Emmy.”
I nodded, pulling in a few breaths to stop my head from spinning. “I’m okay,” I said, steading myself.
“Emmeline?” my father called out. “Are you all right?”
“Yes. I’m fine,” I said, putting the phone back to my ear. Completely shocked, but fine. “Congratulations.”
I swallowed down a familiar nausea. It was the same one I’d gotten when I’d walked in on my father screwing Steffie. Not that I wasn’t happy for my friend, but the entire situation was just so . . . weird. Steffie had told me that she never wanted children. It was one of the reasons why she was content dating my father. She had said that with him, there was no risk she’d get pressure from her husband to procreate.
“Thanks,” Steffie said flatly. She sounded about as excited as a woman getting a pelvic exam.
My shock from earlier was replaced with concern for my friend. “I’m excited to see you,” I told her.
“Me too.”
“Call my assistant if you need any of our travel information,” my father said. “I’ve got to go.”
I said good-bye and hung up, staring at my phone for a minute, trying to figure out where to start with my recap for Nick. Can you please take off a few days from work last minute? My father, a man who will likely hate you no matter what you do, is coming in two days. Oh, and, I am going to be a big sister.
I decided to start at the beginning, and five minutes later, he was as stunned as I was.
“Are you sure you’re okay with them visiting?” Nick asked.
“Do I have a choice? I’d like to see Steffie but this is all so awkward. My father is fifty-eight years old. He’s having another child. With my friend and college roommate.”
I paced through the room and took calming breaths, trying to ease the knot in my stomach. It wasn’t uncommon for older men to father children, and they were getting married, after all. But this rushed visit, their pregnancy announcement, it all felt off.
“Your dad and I are going to have problems if he’s an asshole to you. He’d better watch his attitude,” Nick declared.
“Let’s hope he decides to come here with an open mind,” I said. “I’m shocked that he apologized to me, though I suspect it was Steffie’s idea. Regardless, I’ve never heard him admit he was wrong before. Maybe he’s decided to mend some fences. What do you think?”
“I think he’s a fool for the way he’s treated you, but if he’s genuine, I’m sure you two could work things out. You’re the most forgiving person I’ve ever met. You’ll make the right choice.”
“I’m not so sure about that,” I said.
“Your capacity to look past people’s faults astounds me. I’ve never seen anything like it before. I left you the night after our wedding and you still found it in your heart to forgive me. I don’t know if anyone else would have done that.”
“That’s because I love you.”
“Yeah? What about my dad? His club got you kidnapped and the first time you saw him after getting out of the hospital, you hugged him. That’s amazing, Emmy. You give people your love freely and don’t hold their mistakes against them. It’s what makes you a wonderful teacher. A great friend. The perfect woman. Your dad won’t have to do much to right his wrongs. All he has to do is open that door and you’ll let him in.”
His words warmed my heart. He always knew what to say to boost my spirits.
“I’m nervous,” I said. “I’m a different person around him. He makes me feel weaker. Less confident. What if you don’t like that version of me?”
“I love all versions of you. And you don’t have to be strong when he’s around. That’s what I’m here for.”
“Stop cleaning,” Nick ordered.
“I just want to dust above the fireplace.”
I was rushing around my old house, doing some last-minute cleaning before my father and Steffie arrived. It was the second time I had cleaned in two days and the place was spotless. I just couldn’t help myself. My nerves were getting the better of me.
I didn’t want drama between Nick and my father. I just wanted everyone to get along, for my father to see I was happy here and to stop judging me for my choice to stay.
“Relax,” Nick said, grabbing me by the waist before I could step up on the fireplace.
“I can’t,” I said, squirming to get free.
I reached again for the ledge but right as my duster touched the mantel, I was flying through the air. Nick had picked me up and tossed me onto a couch.
“Oh for the love . . .” I said with an eye roll.
I pushed up on my elbows but Nick was on top of me in a flash, pinning me down. “Let me up. I need to finish cleaning.”
“It’s clean,” he said. “You could eat off any surface here. Enough.”
“But I—” Nick silenced me with his mouth.
While his tongue tangled with mine, his hips pressed me deeper into the couch. I managed to wiggle a leg free so I could wrap it around his ass and pull him even tighter into me. Pressing my hips into his, I worked to create some friction to ease the throbbing between my legs but with both of us wearing jeans, it wasn’t happening.
“More,” I pleaded.
“Later,” he said, standing up off the couch quickly.
The doorbell chimed throughout the house.
“Come on, Wife,” Nick said, grabbing my hand and pulling me up off the couch. He took the lead and strode to the door. I stayed behind him, waiting to greet our guests as they stepped inside.
The moment Nick opened the door, Steffie’s voice filled the foyer. “Whew! I forgot how hot you were. How about a hug? I’ll warn you, my hands have a tendency to wander.”
I laughed and stepped out from behind Nick to greet my friend. I had expected no less dramatic of an entrance. “Just like I tell my students: hands, feet and other objects to yourself.”
She laughed and pulled me in for a tight hug. Maybe it was due to the pregnancy, but her boobs had grown a size or two since I’d seen her last. They were squeezed tightly into the green blouse she had paired with skinny jeans and six-inch stilettos.
“Welcome to Montana!” I said. “Come on in.” I peered around her hesitantly, expecting to see my father.
“He’s just finishing a conference call,” she said. “He’ll be up in a minute.”
“Sure.” Austin Capital ranked above all else.
“So this is your house?” she said, walking through the foyer and looking around.
“It was. Nick and I live further up in the mountains.” Hopefully, it wouldn’t take too long for a realtor to se
ll this place for me. I had plenty of time to check on it during the summer months, but once school resumed, I didn’t want the burden of an empty, furnished house to maintain.
“Emmeline,” my father said, striding through the door. He gave Nick a sideways glance but came directly toward me.
I looked so much like my mother, it was difficult to find any resemblance to Trent Austin. The shape of our mouths was our only likeness. Maybe that’s why he didn’t like me much. I was nothing like him.
“Hello, Father,” I said, giving him a brief hug while he bent to kiss my cheek.
“You look well,” he said.
“You too.”
My father looked the same as he had during my childhood, except for the gray streaks in his brown hair and a few wrinkles around his eyes. I was glad to see that he had dressed casually and had left his signature gray suit and blue tie behind in New York.
“Let me introduce you to my husband,” I said. “Nick Slater, meet my father, Trent Austin.”
“Nice to meet you,” Nick said, shaking his hand.
“Pleasure,” my father lied.
“Trent, isn’t this place just so charming? And woodsy?” Steffie asked, sliding into my father’s side.
He gave her a skeptical look before sliding his hand down to palm her ass.
Steffie and my father had always flaunted their highly sexual relationship. I wished, just once, they’d remember how awkward it was for me to witness.
“We’ve made reservations for dinner out tonight,” I said. “You’ve got time to get settled first. I’ve opened a bottle of wine if you’d like some, Father. Or Nick has beer.”
“Wine,” he said.
“Fine. Please come in and sit,” I said, leading them to the living room.
“I’ll help you in the kitchen, Emmy,” Nick said when my father and Steffie were squished together on a couch.
“Emmeline,” my father corrected.
“Emmy,” I said. “Nick calls me ‘Emmy.’ ”
My father muttered something under his breath but I was already walking away so I missed it.
“That could have gone worse,” Nick said.
“Really?”
“We just have to make it through dinner and then we can escape,” he said.
