by Debra Holt
“I think I saw her last headed into the kitchen. She wanted to check on the cake. Or did she go to the gift table? She’s all over the place. I told her we had plenty of help covering everything, but you know her. Wasn’t this a grand idea of hers? I can’t believe you pulled off such a surprise. And it’s so much fun that most of the guests came dressed in the clothing of the 1950s.”
“It’s amazing, alright. Had no idea so many people could actually keep a secret around here.” He laughed in return.
His eyes were still seeking out the hostess of the evening. Cole finally caught up with her coming out of the kitchen double doors while he was going in through them. He caught her wrist and she had no recourse but to follow him as he turned around and sought out a semi-quiet spot in the corner of the room.
“Cole, I was going to check—”
“There are plenty of people doing that already. Darcy said so. Between her crew and the ladies from the church auxiliary and the garden club and more… you can be spared to enjoy some of the party you put together. So, relax, Emma, and have some fun. There’s a dance floor out there somewhere under this crowd and I figure we need to make use of it,” he said, a wide grin underscoring his words.
“I’m not a good dance partner,” she replied, a half-smile on her face as she shook her head. “I barely can do a two-step and certainly not the twist or jive or whatever it is they’re doing out there.”
“Well, neither can most of the people here. They could once, but I think they’ve toned things down a little due to the age group.” They laughed at that statement. “That means we’ll seem like experts in comparison. I know some steps and I’ll teach you.”
“Well… I guess…” Her words were cut off by the drum roll and the band leader asking people for silence.
He was introducing the guests of honor for the evening. Cole pulled Emma along through the crowd that was gathering closer to the stage.
“I’m not one for making speeches as you all know.” Vernon was leading off. “I leave all the talking to my wife.” That brought a thunderous roar from the crowd and soft swat on the shoulder from the woman beside him. “But all I have to say is that for fifty years, this woman saw fit to put up with me through good, bad, and in-between. And I hope she’ll agree to another fifty because we ain’t done yet.” He grinned at Mae and then he leaned down and gave her a kiss before all gathered there. That brought more loud hoots and clapping. Mae’s cheeks glowed almost as pink as Charlie’s poodle skirt. It was her turn at the microphone.
“Y’all don’t know how much this means to us to have all of you with us tonight. This was a surprise and then some. And I know that it was due in large part to a young lady who came to the rescue of Charlie and me one cold evening a few months back. We managed to talk her into staying around in our town for a bit. It seems like she was born here and we can’t imagine not having her here for a lot longer. Where’s Emma Cramer?” She held up her hand over her eyes trying to block the glare of the spotlights and find the person she sought.
The crowd helped her out and a push from Cole had her in front of the group. She kept a firm grip on the hand that she held of his.
Mae sent her a huge smile and her hand went to her heart in a sincere gesture. “You are a beautiful angel that came our way when we most needed one. You have our hearts and thank you for making this night one we will cherish forever.”
A napkin appeared just as Emma needed one to stem the tears that appeared without warning. “She speaks for all us,” Cole whispered the words next to her ear as he dipped his head. “I’m finding myself giving thanks more each day to those angels, too.”
Mae and Vernon reached her side and Emma found herself wrapped inside Mae’s hug. “I meant every word, young lady. You’ve given me so much to be happy about in such a short time. No words can tell you how much.”
Vernon nodded beside her. “Ditto on that for me, young lady. You also have the makings of a fine mechanic… with a few more lessons. I might even let you take a turn or two on that combine when the crops are ready. I’ve seen you eyeing it a time or two.”
Emma laughed, drying away the tears. “That’s a deal.”
The photographer came up at that moment. “Let’s get you all together for a few photos and then you can get back to your party.” Moving to the side of the dance floor, he had Mae seated in a chair, and then placed Vernon behind her. Then the next, he added Cole beside his father and Charlie standing next to Mae. Emma smiled at the group of people she had come to love in such a short amount of time. Then Mae was motioning to her. Emma shook her head and took a step back.
Cole was fast on his feet. He saw her retreating. He caught her wrist and drew her into the arrangement. She was between the two men. Mae beamed at her. “That is perfect, Emma. Did you think you would escape us?”
“I’m not one of the family… these are family photos, Mae.”
“We took a vote and it was unanimous,” Vernon surprised her when he spoke up, beaming a smile upon her. “You’re family whether you like it or not. Now smile.”
*
Those words kept repeating in the back of Emma’s mind over the next couple of hours. It was unanimous. Was that how they all felt? Cole, included? Or was she just being fanciful? When had that become a possibility in her mind? She was only looking for a temporary job… a way to help her gather some money and get on down the road. She had plans. What had happened to those?
“No frowns permitted tonight.” Cole’s words interrupted her thoughts. “If someone spiked the punch or they need more plates on the cake table… someone else is handling it. Smile, pretty lady… the next dance is ours.”
Her hand was in its favored place—inside his—as he led her into the center of the floor. There were other couples around them, but funny how they disappeared when Cole’s arms opened and she stepped inside them. The music began and Emma recognized it as one of her favorites.
Cole smiled down at her. “Now that is more like it. I hope you like the song I asked them to play. Thought it would be a nice change from all the rock-n-roll.”
“‘Blue Moon’… I love it.” And I love you.
The words were on the tip of her tongue and she squelched them, her head moving to rest just beneath his broad shoulder. She was grateful she hadn’t made a fool of herself just then. Don’t think. Just dream for a little while. The lights dimmed and just the sparkles from the revolving mirror ball over their heads glittered around the room and over the dancers.
The song was slow and seductive and long. For that she was grateful. Eyes closed, her cheek resting where she could hear the beating of his heart beneath her ear. Was it racing like hers? How nice that would be. His arms tightened around her waist and her arms reached up, her hands entwining around his neck. She caught a glimpse of Mae smiling at them from the edge of the dance floor. Then she walked over and motioned for the band leader. Perhaps she had a request?
Emma put it from her mind and wanted to savor the last of the dance. It did seem to linger a bit. The song could play forever and she’d be happy to remain in their own little world. The music continued. However, all songs did end eventually. It seemed Cole was as reluctant as she to break the cocoon of their little world. Other couples disbursing around them brought reality back. His eyes glittered with an emotion that caused her pulses to race as his gaze met hers.
“That’s our song, Emma Cramer.”
“We have a song?” she whispered.
“Yes, we do. What do you think about that?” She had a feeling that it just wasn’t a song he was talking about. This felt like one of those moments that she would remember the rest of her days.
“I like it.”
“Me, too. We’ll take a picnic lunch out tomorrow to the pond on the ranch. Just the two of us. I think there are some things we need to get around to discussing at last… barring any more interruptions or detours. Mom is already keeping Charlie. Think you can have a picnic basket ready when I get home… say fo
ur o’clock? There’s a great place to watch the sunset from.”
This was happening. Emma’s life was about to take one of those unplanned detours. It would either be a hell of a ride or a dead-end road. Either way, her future would be set tomorrow, one way or another.
“Sounds like a plan.”
*
A few minutes after their dance, while Emma was still basking in the glow of all things possible, and Cole was standing with his back turned to her while he listened to a couple who had stopped to speak with him. She saw Cole reach for his phone. A minute or so later, there was something about his shoulders… they seemed to gain a rigid set to them. Emma sensed a change.
She couldn’t see all his face as he turned to where he was in silhouette, his eyes seeming to search out his parents across the floor. There was a tightening she noted along his jawline. He wasn’t supposed to be on call that evening. Had that changed? He finished the call and instead of heading in her direction, he went in the opposite. She lost sight of him among the crowd. Odd.
Charlie raced up at that moment and drew her attention. “Can I have one more piece of Granny and Gramps’ cake?”
“Don’t you think you’ve had enough sweets for this evening? I think maybe one cookie and that is it. There will be more than enough cake left for you to have a piece tomorrow after your lunch. Deal?”
Charlie tried giving that “poor little me” look that served her so well in the past, but it didn’t work. “Cookie now and cake tomorrow… or neither?” Emma stood firm.
Charlie finally changed expression to one of resignation. “Okay. A cookie now.”
Emma took her hand and they headed toward the sweets table. “I do thank you for asking first, Charlie. You are really using good manners this evening. I know your granny and gramps think you are being a super good girl at their party.”
That brought the wide grin back to the child’s face. She skipped along a bit beside Emma. Then a thought struck her. “Tomorrow… are we still getting the tree? And can we get the angel? Please?”
Emma almost had forgotten the plan. “I think the plan was to get the tree on Sunday after church. But I think we could make a trip to Dryden’s Department Store and find that angel tomorrow. After chores are done in the morning, we can do that. Maybe even have lunch at the diner with Darcy. Sound like a plan?”
“That’s the best plan. I wish tomorrow was here already. I love you, Emma.”
Four simple little words, spoken so matter-of-factly, but they rocked Emma’s world to the core. She missed a step and Charlie gave her a look.
“Did you hit your foot on something?”
“No. I guess I just need to look where I’m going. You choose the cookie you want.” They had arrived at the table.
Emma watched the child examine the trays for the one perfect last cookie of the evening. All the while, her heart was squeezing in her chest. She had heard the heartfelt sentiment from three of the four members of the Drayton family in the space of the last few hours. That left a fourth member to weigh in and he was nowhere in sight. But tomorrow… Cole had promised tomorrow would be their time. Perhaps the words she longed to hear would come tomorrow and it would indeed be unanimous in her heart. She joined Charlie in hoping tomorrow would hurry up and come.
Chapter Twelve
Emma paused outside Cole’s bedroom door. She listened and heard no sounds. Perhaps he was already downstairs? Vernon and Mae had driven them home last evening after the party… she and Charlie. After the phone call had come, Cole had appeared a few minutes later beside the trio. His expression gave nothing away. But Emma could tell there was something that had changed. She couldn’t place her finger on it, but it was there.
She hoped the news hadn’t been something horrific that he had to deal with for his job. He had simply said he might be very late and had left them, after insuring Vernon would see them all home. He hadn’t made eye contact with Emma and the thought kept flitting through her mind all the way home and even as she had put Charlie to bed and then sat in the kitchen another hour until she could no longer keep her eyes open.
Today was the day she and Cole would finally have their time together. He had promised… a picnic for just the two of them and then… who knew what would happen for them all by the end of the day? She knew in her heart what her hopes were. But years of having hopes and dreams dashed for one reason or another, had taught her to be cautious. Still… Cole never made promises he didn’t keep. She knew that about the man. His word was his bond and she would trust in that.
Emma stepped out onto the back porch, her eyes taking in the fact that Cole’s SUV was nowhere in sight. Had he come in very late and already left again? Or had he not come in at all? A sliver of fear ran through the back of her mind and she beat it down. If there was anything bad, she would have heard from Vernon or Mae or any number of people before then. Think positive.
She went about the routine of breakfast for her and Charlie, but she did keep an extra plate of food in the warmer… just in case the backdoor opened and Cole came in. Charlie came downstairs, already dressed in blue and white overalls and a dark blue turtleneck. One shoe was tied and one wasn’t. Angel scooted ahead of her and Emma held the door for her to escape into the backyard. Charlie laid her hair ties beside her plate for Emma to use for the pigtails she wanted to wear for the day. It was clear she wanted to waste no time getting their day started. Emma smiled; she knew her own anticipation for the day ahead.
“Is Daddy coming to the angel store with us?” She asked between bites of toast.
“I don’t know. He’s working on something at his office. He may be later this afternoon. Unless you want to wait for another day to—”
“Pleeease no, it needs to be today. I want the angel ready for the tree.”
“Okay. It will be today as promised. Did you get your bed made?”
She nodded and finished the last of her milk. “I just need you to help with my hair. Can we do pigtails?”
Emma smiled. Her assumption was correct. “Pigtails it will be. Let’s load the dishwasher and then we’ll get to it.”
Emma had to stifle a grin or two over the next hour. The child didn’t even have to be asked or reminded what needed to be done to get the morning chores completed and in record time. Emma soon put Charlie out of her silent misery. Braiding the hair and getting her jacket on her and buttoned, they left Angel in charge of the house and were headed toward town at last.
Her cell phone rang and she saw Cole’s name. Pulling over to the side of the road, she answered when normally she would have allowed it to go to voicemail for later.
“Hello?”
“It’s Cole,” he said, without preamble. “I’m sorry I haven’t been in touch before now. Things… well things are busy right now. I just wanted to check in so you wouldn’t be worrying or anything.”
He sounded strange. She didn’t want to get into a lengthy conversation with Charlie’s big ears in the car. But Emma couldn’t help being concerned.
“I understand. Your job has times like this. I’m just glad to hear from you. We’re on our way to pick up Charlie’s angel. Do you want to meet us at the store?”
There was a pause. “I’m afraid I can’t do that. I’m out in the field right now. I may be tied up the rest of the day. I really don’t know when I’ll make it home. Tell Emma I’m sorry. And I’m sorry about our picnic. I wish I had time to explain more, but I really have to go right now. You two take care, okay?”
“Of course. You do the same.” She wasn’t sure he heard the last of her words before he had disconnected from the call.
Emma was more confused and concerned than before. Cole didn’t sound like himself. He must have a lot on his mind and she needed to remember such was the life of a lawman and she needed to be able to handle that… if things progressed as she had dared hope. But now that their picnic was on hold, she found that little niggling feeling of doubt creeping in. No! She refused to let it ruin the day at hand.
“Your daddy can’t meet us, but he said that he knows you will pick out the most perfect angel for the tree. He can hardly wait to see it.” She smiled at the grinning child in the backseat, their eyes meeting in the rearview mirror. “Let’s go find that angel for your big tree.”
Dryden’s Department Store was busy on the Saturday afternoon. They didn’t find what pleased Charlie there. So, they moved on. They were passing a small secondhand store when Charlie stopped and stared in the window. Suddenly, Emma found her hand being pulled in the direction of the door of the shop.
“Where are we going?”
“I found her! She’s so beautiful!”
And Emma had to admit that the angel in its box on the display shelf was indeed beautiful with her feathered wings and bright blue eyes dressed in a gown of rich golds and burgundies. Charlie’s gaze was mesmerized on the angel. Emma paid for the item and Charlie watched the salesperson box it and get it ready to go home with her. Emma looked over the surrounding shelves, and allowed her gaze to check the scene outside the store through the large windows where she had come to stand.
It was a typical Saturday afternoon in McKenna Springs. There was traffic with all the locals coming into town from the area ranches for shopping and the tourists from Austin and surrounding places taking advantage of the variety of specialty shops around the town square that made the town such a favorite place for weekend jaunts. Emma glanced at her watch and made note that the diner at the opposite corner of the street had a few patrons coming and going after the lunch hour was past. That would be their next stop after the purchase of the angel. She was about to turn away from the window when a familiar figure caught her eye.
Cole came around the corner of the bookstore on the opposite corner and then stopped. He glanced at the car that had pulled into the parking spot in front of where he stood. Perhaps she should text and get his attention to let him know where they were and he could join them? Then that train of thought stopped dead in its tracks. Pretty much the same as Emma’s breathing did as she stood transfixed on what was going on across from her vantage point.
