by Hale, Beth
As she was polishing the coffee table, Norah sneezed. “Oh, no! I’m getting sick again!”
“No, you’re not.” Emma rolled her eyes. “It’s just the dust from the table.”
“I don’t know,” Norah said doubtfully. “That
tickle—“
“Don’t start that again,” Emma warned, pointing a finger at her. “There is no tickle, there is no flu, there is no sick.”
“Fine,” she replied sulkily. “You’re in a bad mood.”
Emma glowered at her as she went to answer the door.
“Emma Payne?”
“Yes.”
“These are for you. Enjoy.”
“Thank you.” She took the huge bouquet of pink tulips and carried them back to the coffee table. Norah perked up when she saw them.
“Those are pretty! I bet I can guess who they’re from.”
Emma read the card. “’I’m sorry. Please talk to me. Jack.’ He’s persistent, I’ll give him that.”
“Maybe you should talk to him,” Norah suggested. “He came by before he left. He looked pitiful, especially when I wouldn’t let him come in.”
Emma shifted, stared. “Don’t tell me you believe him, too,” she replied incredulously. “Maybe you do have a fever.” She reached towards Norah’s forehead.
Norah laughed and pushed her arm away. “Stop that. I’m serious. He looked so sad. I’m not saying I believe him. But I am thinking about it, trying to see it from his point of view. Emma, he told me he loves you.”
Emma’s heart stuttered again. “Funny, he can
say that to everyone but me. You didn’t see him,” she
continued. “The shock on his face, the scramble to
come up with a story. No,” she decided, “I don’t want to talk to him. I don’t want to hear any more stories.”
Norah sighed as she watched Emma stomp away. She was damn stubborn. Norah was just beginning to realize how much.
***
The next afternoon, Emma stood with James in front of a jewelry display. “Are her ears pierced?”
“I don’t know,” he said after a slight pause.
“She’s your sister,” Emma replied with a laugh. “How can you not know if she wears earrings, or if she likes to read?”
“Elizabeth is hardly ever home,” James defended himself. “At least I don’t forget her birthday.”
“True,” she credited him. “We can always go the clothes route. Do you possibly know her size?”
“Ummm…about like you. Or was, before you lost weight. It looks like you’ve dropped ten pounds.”
Emma ignored him as she led him into a clothing store. Norah had commented on her weight, too. She just didn’t have an appetite anymore. “I think one of these cashmere sweaters will do the trick. What’s her favorite color?”
“Red. I think. Or possibly blue. All right, I really don’t know,” he admitted with a charming smile.
She shook her head. “Sad. We’ll go with this one.” She held up a sweater with a tissue thin layer of white over a second layer of ecru. “She can wear it anywhere. And have the store gift wrap it.”
“I’m forever in your debt,” James told her as
they walked down the sidewalk. “Elizabeth can be hard
to please. I never have any luck on my own.”
“Who normally helps you?”
“Oh, whoever the girl of the month is, usually.”
“Speaking of, how’s Anna?” The wind blew harder and Emma shivered inside her coat. James pulled her close and she leaned into his warmth as they walked down the sidewalk.
“I wouldn’t know,” he said. “Yesterday was the beginning of a new month.” His laugh rolled out when Emma slanted her eyes at him and jabbed his side with her elbow.
“You’re hopeless.”
“Most likely,” he agreed good naturedly. “Honestly, though, she became too clingy. Always wanting to be together, making noises about moving in with me. Gave me an itch between me shoulder blades.”
Emma laughed. “Serves you right. Someday, some woman is gonna close the steel trap around your leg.”
James shuddered. “God forbid. Look here, coffee and roasted chestnuts. Care for some?” he asked as they stopped in front of a street vendor.
“Coffee would be great.”
“I’ll not buy you coffee unless you eat some chestnuts, too.”
Emma rolled her eyes. “You drive a hard bargain. Thank you,” she told him as he handed her a bag and a cup. “I’m really not hungry,” she said as she nibbled on a nut.
“Lovely Emma, you need to eat. You haven’t
since you and Jack fought. It’s not good for you.”
They settled on a bench. “Doesn’t look like you’ve
been sleeping much, either. You’ve bags under those
pretty eyes of yours, darling.”
“Gee, you know how to make a girl feel good,” Emma muttered.
“Just stating fact.” He popped a nut into his mouth. “Jack says you still haven’t called him.”
She stiffened. “I don’t intend to.”
James sighed. “I wish you’d just—“
“Well, fancy meeting you here,” a voice behind them said. They turned and Emma groaned inwardly. Marcus stood, grinning widely, arms loaded with bags. “I’ve just had my second call back,” he told them. “I’m certain the part is mine. I’m doing some celebratory shopping.”
“How nice,” James replied shortly.
“Say, Emma, does Jack know you’re all chummy with his friend here while he’s away?” He winked at her.
“Not your business, Marcus.” Suddenly weary of everything, her shoulders slumped.
“Don’t worry; I won’t tell. Maybe we can work out a deal. My silence in exchange for some of what you’ve given Jack and—“
“Shut up.” James stood and stepped toward Marcus. “You have no right to insult her, you talentless idiot.”
Marcus’s eyes narrowed. “Better keep your side piece on a leash, Emma. Scenes like this just might make it back to Jack.” He sneered at them and walked off.
James bared his teeth at his retreating back. “Moron.”
“He’s right, James. If Jack finds out we’re spending so much time together he may get mad at you. I don’t want that.”
“Don’t worry about it.” He waved his hand.
“Jack knows we’re friends. Besides, he knows. He asked me to…” James suddenly closed his mouth and looked away. He’d said too much.
Realization dawned. Anger nearly stole Emma’s ability to speak. “You--You’ve been spying on me?”
He winced, had the good grace to flush. “No, no. He, er, wanted me to check up on you, see that you stayed all right.”
“Oh. To see if I’m pinin’ away or plottin’ revenge?” Ice dripped from every word.
“He just wanted me to try and convince you to talk to him, that’s all.”
Emma stood. “I cannot believe this. The nerve of him. And you! I thought we were friends!”
“We were. I mean, we are. I just want to help fix this.”
“To hell with this. To hell with you,” she flung at him as she marched away, her fury radiating off her in waves.
James cursed.
***
“The jig is up,” James told Jack. He’d called him immediately after Emma left. Thankfully, Jack was in his trailer, riding out a lunch break. “She caught onto the plan.”
Jack’s plaintive sigh echoed over the phone. “Damn. I was counting on you. I know it’s not your fault, mate. Why won’t she at least talk to me?” He wanted to yell with frustration and longing. He wanted to kick himself in the ass for fucking it up to begin with.
“She’s really hurt. I’m beginning to wonder if she’ll ever let go of the past enough to really trust anyone.”
“She trusted me and look where that landed her,” Jack replied ruefully. “We’d be OK if I Sarah hadn’t appeared, if I hadn’t panicked. Go
d, if I hadn’t gotten hard when she grabbed me.”
“It’s a man’s natural reaction to being groped.”
“Still. We’ll work through it,” he said with a confidence he didn’t feel, “as soon as I get back.”
“Sure you will.” But he was beginning to have his doubts.
“I’ve got to go. It’s time to marry Philippa.”
“Right. Good luck with that.”
Chapter 29
Emma stormed into the house, slamming the door hard enough to shake the pictures on the wall. Norah poked her head out of the kitchen. “What on earth?”
“I’ll tell you what!” Anger sizzled in Emma’s voice, in her eyes. “Jack sent James to spy on me! To try and talk me into takin’ him back. I don’t damn well think so.”
“I have to agree that’s pretty underhanded.” Norah cleared her throat. “Ahhh…I’ve been thinking more and more that Jack just might be telling the truth.”
Emma rounded on her, eyes shooting daggers. “Et tu, Brute?!? Oh my God, betrayed on both sides! I’m not havin’ it, you hear?” She threw her arms up in the air and paced before turning back to Norah. “I’ve cried, I’ve hurt, I’ve wondered what was so wrong with me that a man couldn’t be faithful. And now I’m just plain mad! Cain’t count on no one no more.” Her accent thickened and she slipped back into her deep Southern dialect.
Norah shifted her feet. An angry Emma was unusual to see, but when she did lose her temper she was a little scary. “Well, let’s be honest. It’s something to think about.” Emma snarled and Norah nodded. “Ok, then. We’ll talk about it some more when you’ve calmed down a little. I’m just going to…uh…go shopping. Would you like to come?”
“I would not,” Emma bit out.
“Fine, fine. I’ll be back in a while.” Norah grabbed her purse and coat and escaped.
Emma stomped around, too angry to be still.
She should just call him up, she thought, and give him a piece of her mind.
On second thought, she called Chris. When his phone went straight to voicemail, Emma made a small growl of annoyance and waited for the tone. “It’s been a hell of a day, pal of mine. If you get a spare minute, call me back so I can vent. Much love.”
She was too keyed up and restless to stay home. She thought about going to play tourist, but then had a better idea. She grabbed her phone and called Alison.
“Hi! Just thought I’d call and check on you.”
“Oh, we’re good over here. And you?”
“Great. I know it’s short notice, but would you like to go out tonight? A little girl time?”
“Oh God, yes. That would be brilliant! Hang on, let me see.” Alison put Emma on hold while she conferred with Jacob. “It’s a go,” she announced cheerfully. “What are we doing?”
“I thought we’d eat out and maybe catch a movie or something.”
“It sounds divine. How about if I pick you up around six?”
“Perfect. See you then.”
Emma went upstairs to change. Her thoughts wondered to how Jack was spending his off time in Germany, and then she decided she really didn’t care. She was going to start living her life again.
Out of deference to the cold, Emma changed into a pair of thick brown jeans and a long sleeve button down the color of ripe melons. She added chunky heeled boots and left her hair loose.
When she went back down, Norah was sitting on the couch. She looked up, surprised. “Going out?”
“Alison and I are having a girl’s night.” At
Norah’s downcast eyes and slight shoulder slump,
Emma sighed. “Do you want to come, too?”
Norah’s bright smile flashed. “I’d love to. If you’re not still mad at me.”
Emma’s smile was rueful. “You know it’s hard for me to hang on to a mad, unless I’m feeling really righteous. Now, I’m just mostly irritated with you.”
“I can handle that. Do I have enough time to change?”
“Sure. Alison’s not due for another thirty minutes or so.”
“What are the plans?”
“Dinner and a movie.”
Norah nodded and headed upstairs.
***
“This is wonderful.” Alison leaned against the back of the booth and grinned. “I haven’t been out like this in ages.”
Emma swallowed wine. “I’m glad Jacob let you come out and play.”
Alison’s laugh was quick. “He encouraged it, he did. Said it was time to let him and the baby have a boy’s night as well.”
“What are they going to do?” Norah asked, twirling some pasta around her fork.
“Watch the fight. Jacob had Jake settled on the sofa, with bottles, diapers, beer, and chips within reach.”
Emma chuckled at the picture and slipped a small slice of roasted chicken between her lips. “Have you stopped breast feeding?”
“Yes. To be honest, I’m itching to get back to
work. And that makes me feel guilty.”
“Why?” Norah wanted to know.
“Jake is only two months old. I don’t want to abandon him. But I miss working.” She rolled her shoulders. “It makes me feel guilty,” she admitted.
“It shouldn’t,” Emma told her. “Most people I know go back when the baby is six weeks or before. You’re a good mother, whether you go back to work at two months, three months, or three years.”
“That’s right,” Norah chimed in. She snagged a piece of Alison’s trout. “What does Jacob think about it?”
“He’s for it, if that’s what I want. I’ve a part time nanny lined up, and I’m thinking of returning when Jack gets back.”
Emma’s fingers tightened around the stem of her glass. “Have you talked to him since he’s been gone?”
“Once.” Alison looked at Emma and frowned. “Say, what’s wrong? Are you upset with him?”
“I’ll say,” Norah muttered.
“He didn’t tell you?” Emma asked.
Alison slowly shook her head. “He didn’t say much of anything really, just asked after the baby. He did sound down. When I asked, he just told me Thomas had been pushing them hard and he was tired. Why? What’s happened?”
“Short version? He slept with Sarah.”
“No!” Alison’s shocked whisper, her instinctive reach for Emma’s hand, soothed Emma’s nerves a bit.
“Yes. And now that I’m refusing to talk to him, he set James on me as a spy.”
“What?”
“Well,” Emma allowed, “maybe spy isn’t the
right word. James was supposed to get me to talk to
Jack, to believe him.”
“I see.”
“Can you believe it? I should have you tell him that I caught on to his game. And that if he insists on keeping it up that it will become unpleasant for him.” She stabbed her chicken.
“Emma….I don’t want to be in the middle.”
“Oh, I know that. I really wouldn’t ask you to be.”
Alison nodded slowly. “I just can’t believe this. Damn it, I thought he was well over Sarah, especially since you came along.”
“Actually,” Norah interjected,” Jack says—Ouch!” She glared at Emma, who smiled brightly.
“If he wants to tell her lies, he can. We won’t repeat them here, please.”
“Fine,” Norah pouted, rubbing where Emma’s boot had made contact with her shin.
Alison frowned and looked from one to the other. “I’ll just let him tell me when he feels up to it,” she decided. “Now, let me call and check on my men. Then let’s order a huge dessert and decide if we want a tear jerker or a romantic comedy.”
They decided to make an early evening of it, since Alison’s eyes were drooping after the movie.
“I’m sorry,” she apologized. “Guess I’m not much company anymore.”
Norah laughed. “I could say the same. I’ll be going to bed as soon as I get home and out of these shoes.” She flexed her toes inside the new Jimmy
Choo heels she’d bought while she’d been shopping.
“I told you they’d uncomfortable,” Emma told her. “They’re so pointy toed.”
Norah made a rude noise and Alison giggled. “I’ve had so much fun. Thank you for asking me out.”
“I’m glad you came,” Emma told her. “We’ll have to do it again, soon.”
“Yes, let’s,” Alison agreed as they pulled up to the curb. When Norah said goodbye and got out, Alison touched Emma’s hand and stared at her. “A word, please? Did you invite me out tonight to see if I would deliver the message?”
“No,” Emma answered honestly. “I invited you because I like spending time with you. I’ll admit, though, that I’m angry enough to enjoy the thought of said message.”
Alison nodded. “I can understand that. I just want to be clear. I’m not going to be in the middle.”
“I wouldn’t ask you to. I know your loyalty lies with Jack.”
“It does,” she agreed, “for the most part. But you can damn well be sure I’ll be asking him why he mucked things up when he confesses.”
Emma gave a faint smile. “I’d like an answer for that, too. I’d like you and me to be friends; I don’t want this to spoil that.”
“It won’t,” she promised. “I’m loyal to all my friends.”
“Good. I guess you want to go home, check on your baby.”
“I really do. I miss him like crazy,” she admitted with a laugh.
“Have a good night, then. Be careful going home.” She got out and closed the door.
Alison tooted the horn and waved cheerfully before pulling away.
***
Later on, as the night deepened over Germany and he was alone again in his trailer, Jack stared at the four walls, his expression bleak. He was beginning to have doubts.
He remembered Emma’s hurt filled eyes and shaking voice and he hated himself for being the cause of them.
He missed her so damn much. Her smile, her laugh, the way she clung to him in bed, the way she fit into his life. He wanted her back.
He sat at the tiny table and buried his head in his arms.
Chapter 30
