Chapter 31
The recliner was great for napping, but not for getting a good night’s rest, so I was up early. Careful not to wake AJ, who was sleeping on the couch, I wrote a quick note letting Meg and Jack know I’d gone shopping, and put it in front of the coffee maker before checking on Emily.
She and Ashley were still asleep in my king size bed. Emily. In my bed. I quietly closed the door as I forced myself not to think about how natural she looked lying there in my bed, her hair spread out on my pillow, one leg sticking out of my sheets. Regret washed over me, I hadn’t had a chance to apologize properly to Emily last night. Hopefully I’ll have a chance later today.
At the store, I grabbed fresh baked pastries, a variety of yogurts, and pre-cut fruit, then headed home to brew some much needed coffee. I could hear voices, and smell coffee, when I walked into the hall from the garage.
Emily and Ashley were the last to get up, and before joining us, Emily asked if she should strip the bed. I waved my hand and told her I’d do it later. I wonder if the pillowcase will smell like her? Ishoved a piece of melon in my mouth to interrupt my thoughts.
After breakfast we met Doug at the office so he could download the texts and voicemails from Emily’s phone, and make copies for the local PD. Ashley stayed at the office with Meg, AJ, and Doug while Jack and I escorted Emily to the Weatherford PD to report Craig’s restraining order violation. Once that was done, we called Houston PD since that’s where it was originally filed, and where Craig lived. We emailed them copies of the local police report, text messages and voicemails.
They issued a warrant for his arrest, and put out a BOLO between Houston and Weatherford but couldn’t actively go looking for him yet. It wasn’t ideal, but I understood. Today was the Fourth of July, and they’d been swamped all weekend, and would be again today, with the typical holiday bullshit every police department dealt with when people got drunk, plus the added fun of drunks playing with explosives. I don’t miss those days.
Dad was waiting for us when we got back to the office. “How are you holding up, Emily?”
“I’m okay Mr. Sheppard.” Emily looked less scared than she had last night, but I could see her nervousness in the way she kept playing with her thumb ring.
Dad didn’t know I’d asked her out, though he was observant enough to know I was attracted to her. Not that it mattered now, after what had happened last night, I needed to press pause on our relationship. Before it even begins. Keeping Emily safe had to be my number one priority.
I started filling him in as we walked upstairs to the conference room. Meg stayed with Emily and Ashley in one of the upstairs meeting rooms. Because Craig knew SSI was protecting Emily, neither Jack nor I felt comfortable leaving the girls alone downstairs. We locked the door, but it could be breached. And while Meg was pretty handy with her gun, she wasn’t a trained professional and shouldn’t have to act as one. It was a harsh reality—one we were well acquainted with—that shooting someone, even in self defense, came with consequences: legal, emotional, professional, and social. We didn’t want Meg to go through that again.
As a team we reviewed the logistics of adding extra coverage for Emily, and the Taylors, around our existing jobs.
Doug asked, “Has Emily reconsidered our offer to install cameras?”
“She’s still against it, doesn’t want to feel like she’s living under a microscope.” I wish we could insist, but it was up to her and her parents, and they were against it.
Once we had everything organized, we went back to our place for lunch. Luckily, we had a ton of food left over from the BBQ. Meg, Emily, and Ashley set out a buffet on the counter and everyone made themselves a plate.
Emily picked at her food but ate little, not surprising—nerves tended to either kill or enhance an appetite. Now I know which it is for Emily.
Ashley had to leave a couple of hours after lunch, she was reluctant to go but Emily insisted. “I’ll be fine Ash. And I’ll call you every day.”
“Okay, but know that I’m only a phone call away if you want some company.”
Emily hugged her. “Thanks.”
“Love you girl.” Ashley hugged her back.
“Love you too.”
AJ said his goodbyes before walking Ashley to her car so they could say goodbye privately. Then he had to go to the Taylor’s, he’d volunteered for the afternoon shift, joking that he’d rather earn holiday pay than be a fifth wheel with us all day. I didn’t care why he was doing it; I was just glad we didn’t have to ask someone to cancel their holiday plans. We understood how hard it was for cops on the holidays because we’d lived it. They rarely had them off, and valued the few they could spend with their families and friends. Dad and I worked more holidays than we had off when we were cops, and with Madi, Jack and Jaden serving in the military, let’s just say our family was used to celebrating the holidays when schedules allowed. I don’t think we’ve had a holiday dinner with all of us in the same room in over a decade.
“Emily, can we talk for a few minutes?” I wanted to clear the air between us.
“Yeah, sure.” She looked nervous, so I put her at ease by taking her hand and leading her to the couch. We had an open floor plan so we wouldn’t have complete privacy, but it was better, less distracting, than talking to her in my bedroom. Thankfully, Jack and Meg took the unspoken hint and went on the porch to look through wedding magazines.
“I’m sorry for what I said last night.” She started to speak, but I wasn’t done. “Please let me finish. I don’t think you’re a mistake. I don’t think we’re a mistake. And I sure as hell don’t think kissing you was a mistake.” Emily’s eyes rounded as they glossed over.
“I thought I was being disrespectful to you by groping you against the wall. We haven’t even gone on a date and I was ready to rip your clothes off and take your right then and there.” I hadn’t intended to be so blunt but I couldn’t take it back, so I continued. “That’s the part that was a mistake. Being disrespectful.” I squeezed her hands. “But you deserve better than that.”
I reached over and wiped away the single tear rolling down her cheek. “I’m not sorry I stopped, but I am sorry for hurting you with my careless words.”
“I forgive you. Can you forgive me for over-reacting?” I didn’t think she needed to apologize but it was easier to accept it and move on.
“Forgiven.” I released her hands. I needed to stay professional. For now. No matter how difficult it might be.
“Thank you.” Her smile turned my insides to mush.
It’s been a long time since I’ve felt like this. We talked for over an hour before I heard her stomach rumble softly.
“Want to order a pizza and watch a movie?”
“You don’t have to order pizza,” she smiled shyly, “I’m not very hungry and don’t mind having leftovers again.” Her stomach growled louder.
She might not have minded, but I didn’t want leftovers again. Guessing she wouldn’t argue if I got Jack and Meg involved, I texted Jack asked him what they wanted on their pizza.
They were laughing as they walked into the kitchen. Jack asked, “Dude, did you just text me from the living room?”
I shrugged. “It was faster and easier.”
“I want all the cheese.” Of course she did, Meg always wanted extra cheese on her pizza. Sometimes she’d get pepperoni too, but mostly just cheese.
Jack said he didn’t care, “as long as there’s meat.”
“Em, anything you don’t like?”
“I’m good with all the cheese.” She quoted Meg.
I ordered two pizzas, one supreme and one with extra cheese.
Emily asked Meg about the wedding plans while we ate. Meg practically glowed as she gave Emily all the details. Jack smiled, nodded, and agreed as needed.
“We’re having a small ceremony here in the back yard. I want lots of fall colored flowers. Other than that, I’m not too picky. We’re keeping it small and simple.” Meg didn’t know Jack had always wanted a big traditional wedding, but Meg didn’t have any family, so Jack had embraced the idea of a smaller one. He said the size wasn’t nearly as important as making sure his future wife felt comfortable at her own wedding. Good man. Meg was doing most of the planning, but Jack had a few non-negotiables: having the family pastor marry them, and having the food and open bar catered, so no one had to work that day. Meg was happy to agree.
After eating, I told Emily to pick a movie, and thanks to Meg, we now had a female friendly selection of movies for Emily to choose from. She picked a romantic comedy, then fell asleep a few minutes after it started. I didn’t last much longer.
I woke up when I heard Jack come into the living room to shut off the TV. Half asleep, I didn’t realize Emily was leaning against me until it was too late, and I woke her up when I moved. She sat up with a start and gave a little yelp when she realized she wasn’t in her bed.
“I’m so sorry, I didn’t mean to fall asleep.”
“No need to apologize. I fell asleep too.”
She looked around the room, noticing it was dark outside. “It’s late, I should go home.”
I understood but was still disappointed. “Okay, I’ll take you. Do you want me to stay while you talk to your parents?”
“If you don’t mind.”
“Of course not.” I tucked a wayward hair behind her ear, then pulled my hand away and shoved it in my pocket. It’s going to take an ungodly amount of effort to keep myself from touching her.