She reached out and grabbed his arm. “I’m stronger than you think,” she said, repeating the words Ava had told her.
He leaned forward and said through gritted teeth, not out of anger but of suppressed emotion, “You are strong. That is why I love you, Mo Chuisle. But I saw you broken when we left that cabin. I will not let it happen again.” Without giving her an opportunity to speak he turned and left the hall.
Emmie sat there alone for a moment reflecting on the odd conversation that had just passed. That had not gone as planned. She was supposed to kiss him. He was supposed to hug her. They would say they’ve missed each other. They were supposed to be happy. What had happened? She rubbed her forehead. Out of the corner of her eye she saw Ava’s head pop around the corner.
“So, did he kiss you?” Ava hopped over and pulled her friend to sit next to her on a bench in the hall.
Emmie actually snorted. “I kissed him.”
“Whoa . . . even better, Emmie.” Ava laughed.
Emmie opened her mouth to explain the fight. She wanted to talk about it with Ava but realized she couldn’t. How could she explain the fight when she hadn’t yet confided the details of the past month to Ava. She couldn’t. She sighed, feeling even more frustrated.
Ava spoke first. “So, did you ask him?”
Emmie frowned. “Ask him what?”
She threw her arms up in exacerbation. “Emmie, about Gabe. Did you remember to ask him if he could find a way to sneak Gabe in here? If anyone is capable it’s the McDowell brothers. You wouldn’t believe the things they accomplished when we were just kids,” Ava rambled.
Emmie rubbed her face. “Sorry, Ava, I didn’t.”
“Emmie,” Ava all but shouted, “I’m counting on you. I need you. Do you have any idea what it’s been like this last month without you and him? I need to see him. You cannot let me down.”
“It didn’t come up. I hadn’t seen him in three days and we had things to talk about. I will talk to him, okay?” Emmie said, annoyed.
“Oh well, I am so sorry that you haven’t seen him in three days. I haven’t seen Gabe in over a month, but by all means think of yourself, Emmie,” Ava whispered loudly.
If Emmie could have shot fire out of her eyes like some mythical dragon at that moment she would have. “I will ask him but I was not being selfish. The world didn’t stop turning because you were in Chicago feeling sorry for yourself, Ava. Things happened. Things I needed to talk to Silas about. I will ask about your silly little sneak-out plan. I just haven’t had time yet.”
Ava was speechless. Her mouth actually dropped open and her eyes spilled over with tears. “Just never mind, Emmie. I’ll work it out without you. Clearly you are busy with your own life now. You have barely been yourself lately. It’s like I don’t even know you anymore.” She stood and turned toward the stairs before shouting, “And I have not been up here feeling sorry for myself.”
Well, this was turning out to be a great day. She was two for two. In the space of just a few minutes Emmie had hurt the two people she loved most on God’s green earth. As she made her way into the living room she wondered what other joys were in store for her today.
Chapter Ten
Sometimes social gatherings, even small social gatherings, made Emmie feel awkward—especially when she was at odds with Ava and Silas. The Thanksgiving meal was elaborate and delicious. She had been right though, no one had let her cook anything. She’d gone into the kitchen and tried to help only to be shooed away. Twice. The best thing about the meal was the fact she sat next to Silas. He put her at ease even in the midst of their argument. She was aware of his every move. The way his hand brushed hers as he reached for his glass. His knee rested lightly against hers as they ate. Silas’s father and Trick kept the mood light by sharing funny anecdotes from the past. Emmie realized for the first time she could feel at ease with not just Silas but his whole family.
Silas had holed up in the office with God knows how many men after the meal. The older women were in the sunroom sipping tea and eating dessert. Ava, Jemma, and Emmie slipped away into the living room.
Emmie nodded, rubbed her eyes, and tried desperately to focus on Jemma’s long list of questions about Kentucky.
“So is it?” the younger girl asked.
Emmie wondered how she could politely tell the girl she had no idea what she had asked.
Ava sighed and sat gracefully on the loveseat next to Emmie. “Yes, it’s warmer. Not hot like Florida but not as cold as it is here. They get maybe two good snows a year. Nothing like here, though. There are no ice rinks.” That was the first time Ava had come near her since their fight more than an hour ago.
“Speaking of winter,” Jemma said, turning her attention to Ava, “Old Man Dan’s is frozen solid. It’s been colder this year.”
Emmie took the last swallow of her coffee, saw the excited expressions on the two girl’s faces, and wondered aloud, “Who is Dan and what’s he frozen?”
They both ignored her. Jemma continued, “I know you weren’t here very much for the winter season but you know what that means, right Ava?”
Ava clasped her hands together and squealed, “Yes. What fun. Have you heard any talk of it yet?”
“Any talk about what?” Emmie asked, still trying to follow the conversation.
“Not yet,” Jemma answered Ava’s question with the same excited tone. “I’ll let you know though. Do you think you can talk Silas and Trick into letting me take part?”
Ava looked to the side for a moment. “I’ll try and if I cannot, I bet Emmie can. Silas looks at her like a lost puppy. He’d probably do anything she asked.”
Lost puppy. Lost puppy. What was that supposed to mean?
“Will you talk to him, Emmie? Promise me you will. I’ve been wanting to go for years,” Jemma pleaded.
“I haven’t the foggiest idea what you two are talking about,” Emmie said honestly.
“Sure she will,” Ava spoke for her. “Jemma, if we help you with this will you do me a favor? Will you be sure that Gabe knows about Old Man Dan’s? I haven’t seen him in so long and this is the perfect chance.”
Jemma visibly moved away from her, sitting farther back in her seat. She looked down at her hands. “So, is it true then?” she whispered.
An awful quiet ate up a few seconds of time before anyone spoke. The look on Jemma’s face said she knew Ava’s secret. When Emmie looked up she found that Ava was staring right at the younger girl.
“It is true that I haven’t been able to see him in a long time and I miss him,” she answered honestly.
Jemma’s face actually flushed. “I’m sorry, Ava. I shouldn’t have asked. It was rude. I just overheard some things and . . .”
“You don’t have to explain or be sorry,” Ava said, hiding all emotion from her younger cousin. “Will you help me?”
The girl didn’t answer, she just squirmed in her seat uncomfortably.
“Jemma, you don’t have to get involved,” Emmie spoke up. She could see the younger girl was afraid of being in trouble with her family.
“Emmie, it’s not a big deal. She wants to help me,” Ava said harshly.
“I said I would take care of it for you. You just didn’t give me the chance,” Emmie shouted. She could feel her pulse pounding in her temples.
“You were alone with him for ten minutes,” Ava said, pointing to the hall where Emmie had spoken to Silas earlier.
“You are not the sun, Ava. Not all of my conversations revolve around you.” As soon as the words left her mouth the regretted them. She and Ava rarely ever fought. She already felt awful, but she couldn’t stop. She would not watch Ava drag Jemma into the middle of her problems.
“It’s fine, Emmie. I don’t mind helping her,” Jemma started.
Neither Emmie nor Ava paid attention to her comment.
“What was so important, huh? What did you have to talk about then? Or are you keeping their secrets now too?” Ava shouted loudly.
“
You want to know, Ava? You really want to know right now?” Emmie shouted.
“Yeah. Tell me your troubles that are so much greater than mine,” Ava snapped.
Jemma looked like she wanted to leave the room but couldn’t find a way. Emmie and Ava now blocked her exit as they stood shouting in the narrow opening between the sofa and wall. They were so lost in their argument they had completely forgotten she was in the room.
“Fine. I made apple pie moonshine with Bo to pay for Max’s doctors,” Emmie said loudly.
“Typical that you throw yourself into their problems. I think you really like the excitement of it,” Ava said all hoity-toity.
“I’m. Not. Finished,” Emmie said through gritted teeth. “Things went south. Which is why Gabe couldn’t come back up here to marry you right away. It wasn’t all about you. An outlaw revenuer and his men kidnapped me. Two of them were Mr. Thomas and his brother, Will.”
Ava’s mouth fell open. “Oh my, Emmie—”
“I’m still not finished,” she said slowly her voice full of tension. “Mr. Thomas is dead. His brother is dead. Bo Johnson’s brother-in-law Steven was involved with them. He’s dead. The revenuer is dead. Remember that man who pulled us out of the speak in Louisville?” Tears spilled over her eyes.
Ava nodded.
“Well, he was working with them. Silas was right all along. We were targeted that night. He’s dead too.” Emmie barely got out the last words as her voice cracked.
Ava’s hands were shaking as she covered her mouth. She stepped around a small table and made her way to Emmie, wrapping her best friend in a tight embrace. Tears spilled over Emmie’s eyes as she saw the flashes of the cabin in her mind.
When she opened her eyes, she took in the sight of Jemma’s horrified expression.
“Jemma, I’m sorry. I spoke too freely with you in the room. I shouldn’t have . . .” Emmie started.
“What’s happened?” Trick asked as he walked into the room.
Jemma all but ran to him. He wrapped his arm around her shoulder reassuringly and turned his attention to Ava and Emmie who were both crying. Neither girl could answer. He swore and repeated the question to his sister.
“Emmie has just been through some horrible things lately,” she spoke quietly, attempting to keep the girls’ confidence. She failed. The minute the words left her mouth he looked right at Emmie.
“You told her?” he snapped. Trick almost never snapped at anyone.
“No. She told me,” Ava answered quickly. “We were caught in an argument and forgot Jemma was here.”
“It’s fine. I’m not a child anymore. Stop treating me like one,” Jemma said.
Trick closed his eyes and sighed as Silas walked up behind him.
“What’s wrong?” Silas asked, taking in the sober tone of the room.
Tears streamed down Emmie’s face as she closed the space between them. She couldn’t find any words. None at all. What had she done?
“I’m sorry,” she whispered, looking up at him.
Chapter Eleven
“Nothing. It was just a misunderstanding. Let’s just let this go, okay? Are you finished with your meeting?” Jemma asked, regaining her composure. Emmie thought it strange the younger girl was learning a skill that Ava had mastered: peacemaking through feigned obliviousness.
Trick’s mouth had set in a grim line at her words. She could tell he was deciding whether or not to tell his brother what Jemma had overheard. He looked over at Emmie. She closed her eyes and took a deep breath. When she looked back at Silas he looked confused. He opened his mouth to speak, but Emmie beat him to it.
“No. No more lies,” she said, looking at Silas’s siblings.
“Your sister heard me tell Ava something. We were angry and shouting. We weren’t thinking properly. I wasn’t thinking. I’m sorry,” she said.
“What kind of things?” he asked, keeping his tone indifferent.
At that moment Silas’s father walked by. His face lit up with a mischievous grin as he slapped his oldest son on the back and then turned his attention to Emmie.
“Hello, Mr. McDowell,” Emmie said politely. It was the first time he had spoken directly to her all day.
He laughed. “Don’t be proper with me, girl. Call me Michael.” And with that he pulled her in for a quick hug. “My Silas has been talking about you. He’s said good things.”
Emmie flushed and glanced at Silas. “Thank you.”
The older man put his hand on her cheek. “Such a sweet girl. He wants to take care of you, but I have a feeling you may end up being the one to take care of him.”
Silas groaned and laughed nervously. Silas rarely ever laughed nervously. Emmie felt Silas’s hand thread through hers. He pulled her out the front door, pausing to lean in close and whisper something to Trick along the way. She turned to say goodbye to Ava, but she was talking to her father. It was tense, but it didn’t look like they were fighting. So that was a step in the right direction.
The minute they stepped over the threshold of the house the two were blanketed in cold crisp early evening air. Emmie felt her skin tingle in the chill. Her hand-knitted shawl didn’t do much to block out the wind. She wrapped her free arm around her middle in an attempt to keep warm while Silas led her around to the back of the house. The house sat on a ridge overlooking a lake. It was a stunning view. He pulled her to an ornate iron bench on the patio’s edge facing the water.
He stared out at the water for a second before saying, “Tell me.”
Tucking one leg under her body, Emmie turned to face him. “I lost my temper with Ava. We were fighting. When I first saw you this morning she wanted me to ask you to help her see Gabe. I completely forgot because we were talking about other things,” she explained.
He shook his head as he turned to look at her. “No, why did you say you were sorry? What was Jem going to keep from me?”
She looked at him right in the eyes. “I told Emmie about the apple pie, the kidnapping, Mr. Thomas, Will . . . all of it. Well, not every detail but most of it,” she said, her voice quivering. “I was angry because Ava called me selfish and she was asking your sister to help her get to Gabe. I wanted her to know you and I had things to discuss. Much more has happened than just the fact she and Gabe are having a baby. And I shouted out all of it. It was like I upchucked words. I tried to hold it in and it just all came out.”
Silas frowned, processing this. He still hadn’t put it all together. Why would Emmie try to keep the fact she and Ava were cross at one another away from him? He opened his mouth to ask, but Emmie cut him off.
“And she heard it. Everything. She doesn’t know you shot them or about the frying pan but pretty much everything else. I am so sorry,” Emmie said honestly.
“She?” Silas asked. “I’m assuming the she you are referring to is Jemma. Was she eavesdropping?”
“No. The fault was mine, not hers,” Emmie answered.
After a quiet moment he said in resolve, “What’s done is done.”
“Really? You aren’t angry?” she asked, surprised.
“I’m not happy. I don’t like it but I’ll take care of it.” He shrugged.
“I am sorry, Silas,” she said, leaning her head into his chest.
He felt her shiver against the cold. He wrapped his arms around her and rubbed her shoulders. Dropping a kiss just above her ear he whispered, “Of everything we have to be sorry for, this isn’t one of them. This is an easy fix. I’ll be able to convince her it wasn’t as big of a deal as it sounded. Mostly people believe what they want to see or hear anyway.”
Emmie nodded, unsure how she felt about the truth being hidden from Jemma. She didn’t need to know all of this. She knew Silas’s words were true.
“What did you say about Ava asking for something of you and Jemma?” he asked, fishing a cigarette out of his pocket.
“She misses Gabe because they haven’t seen each other for a while. She wanted me to ask you to sneak him in her house or sneak her out
. When Jemma mentioned something about Old Man Dan’s being frozen, Ava told her she would convince you and Trick to let Jemma go. She asked in return that Jemma let Gabe know about it too. I’ve still not put it all together. I could just see it made your sister uneasy to be in the middle of Ava’s problem. That’s what started the argument. I don’t really know what in the world all the frozen old man discussion was about though.”
Silas took a long draw from his cigarette and exhaled away from Emmie before he spoke. “Tell Ava I’ll take care of it, but she is never to drag my sister or you into the middle of her ridiculous schemes again. She doesn’t have to go through either of you to talk to me. She never has before. Why should she start now?” he asked, looking Emmie square in the eyes.
“I’ll pass that message along, but I may rephrase it to sound a little kinder,” she laughed. “Thanks for helping her. She does miss him. It’s awful the situation they are in. Not that the baby is awful, I guess. A wedding and baby should be happy things, not things people argue about.”
Silas looked at her surprised.
“What?” she asked.
“I’m pretty sure it’s not proper for us to be talking about their baby. I’m surprised you brought it up.” He grinned.
“Sorry,” she laughed, “I just feel sorry for them, is all.”
“They brought it on themselves. Play with fire and you might get burned,” he said, taking another puff of smoke.
“Is that what you’re afraid of? Is that why things have never been right for us yet? You’re afraid we will . . . get burned like Ava and Gabe?” she asked curiously.
Silas exhaled with a laugh. “You sure are about heavy conversations today.” He swore under his breath then added, “Next you’re gonna be asking when we will get married or something.”
“Well, if you feel like sharing, I wouldn’t mind knowing that either,” she said, looking at her hands.
He pulled her into his lap and rubbed his scruffy beard on her cheek. She laughed. When the laughter stopped he added, “Thanks for trying to take up for my sister today. I appreciate that you’d look out for her.”
Come Rain or Shine (Shine On Series, Book Three) Page 5
