Page 35

Emma stills. Her fingers tighten in the soil, her breath catching so faintly that if I weren’t so darned focused on her, I wouldn’t have noticed. She doesn’t look at me right away, but when she does, something in her eyes is different. Raw.
Like she’s trying to hold back something too big to name. I brace myself, expecting her to shut it down, to brush it off. But she doesn’t.
She just nods, so small I almost miss it. And for the first time in years, I feel like I’ve reached a part of her that’s been locked away since the day she left.
Before I can figure out what to do with that, a car rumbles up the driveway. I turn just as my sister Liz swings open her door and steps out, a grin already forming.
Her hands rest on her belly as she waddles toward us, the baby bump stretching her dress. “Well, well,” she calls out, eyes twinkling. “Is that my brother gardening?”
I groan. “Don’t start.”
Liz smirks and barely glances at me before heading straight for Emma. “Come here, you.”
Emma blinks in surprise before Liz pulls her into a warm hug. Emma lets out a breathy laugh, arms wrapping around her. When they pull apart, Liz studies her closely. “How are you?”
Emma hesitates but gives a small smile. “I’m okay. Getting there.”
"I hope my brother hasn't been a pain in the butt?" I roll my eyes as Emma chuckles.
"No, he hasn't. It’s so good to see you again, Liz."
"Same here! We missed you so much around here. Anyways, it’s good you’re back. I'll fill you in on everything,"
"Thanks, and congratulations by the way," Emma says her eyes falling on Liz’s belly.
Liz pats her arm, satisfied. “Thank you.” Then she grins, tilting her head at both of us.
“I was passing by and thought I’d stop in and use the opportunity to invite the both of you for barbecue this Sunday. You’re both coming because I'm not taking no for an answer.”
I groan knowing how serious she is. Emma’s lips part like she’s about to decline, but Liz shakes her head, cutting her off before she can start.
“No excuses. Max needs an aunt around. My brother and Liam have both refused to bring a woman around, leaving me alone to deal with all the men in my life, including Max. Now that I have the chance to share the burden with you, I'm not letting it go.”
Emma’s mouth opens, closes, then she laughs lightly. “I … okay. Okay, I’ll come.”
Liz beams, then turns to me. “And you, try to act like a human, yeah? No sulking in corners.”
I roll my eyes, but there’s no real heat behind it. “I don’t sulk.”
Liz snorts. “Right.” She turns back to Emma. “Good luck with this one.”
Emma lets out a breathy laugh, but there’s something softer in the way she glances at me, something unreadable.
Liz gives a final wink before heading back to her car, waving as she pulls away. As the sound of the engine fades, Emma turns to me. For a second, neither of us speaks.
Then she clears her throat, gesturing toward the flowerbed. “Thanks for this. Really.”
I nod, gripping the handle of the shovel. “Figured you’d like it.”
She hesitates, then, softer, “I do.”
The air between us shifts. Her eyes search mine, like there’s something else she wants to say. Something on the edge of a confession.
Then, before either of us can break whatever this moment is, she tucks a loose strand of hair behind her ear and murmurs, “Ishould get ready for work.” She’s been working in the next town for the veterinarian and it seems to have opened her desire for her own clinic here in town even more.
She turns to head inside. I watch her go, the warmth of her presence lingering even after she disappears.
Then Liz’s words echo in my head. She’d said that teamwork looked good on the two of us. I exhale, gripping the shovel tighter.