Chapter 4 #2
forbade him from cutting her off completely. He couldn’t stand the idea of ruining their friendship after nearly fourteen
years.
“I still love you,” she continued, “and I believe in us.”
He was certain he cared about Claire, and he wanted her to live a happy life. But did he still love her? No, not in the same
way he once had. Yet he couldn’t bring himself to say the words back to her, and that sent more guilt burrowing in his stomach.
“Don’t give up on me,” she said, her voice wobbling.
“I need some time to figure things out. Right now I’m focused on my family and the orchard.”
“Yeah, okay.” She sniffed again, her voice trembling as she said, “Call me when you’re ready.”
“I will.”
Emily smiled while Leon shared another story about his childhood growing up at the orchard.
She enjoyed hearing about his adventures, but what she really loved was how Jake’s father beamed as he reminisced.
She could feel how much he treasured his family’s legacy, and she could envision him working in the barn next to his grandfather while he detailed his memories.
Jake’s soft voice sounded in the den, and Emily had the sneaking suspicion he was talking to Claire. Emily tried to swallow
back her jealousy. Jake had been with Claire since sophomore year, when Claire had moved to Splendid Lake. It made sense that
they would work things out and get back together again. Her heart would just have to accept it. Somehow.
“That barn has been here nearly as long as I have,” Leon said.
“Which is why we should honor your family and turn it into a market,” Diane said. “Let’s give Emily’s idea a try.”
“Fine,” Leon said.
Emily shared a victorious smile with Diane. “And I’ll pay for the renovations.” She took another bite of pork chop. “This
is delicious,” she declared.
“Thanks,” Diane said, her eyes sparkling. “Now, Emily, are you settled in Charlotte for good? Or can we convince you to come
back to Splendid Lake?”
“I’m not sure.” Emily shrugged and cut up her loaded baked potato. Splendid Lake was her home, but the memories were painful—bittersweet,
but definitely painful. She missed her parents so much that her heart ached for them, and being so close to her childhood
home, seeing places where they used to be a family . . . it was all too much for her.
Jake slid onto the seat across from her and kept his eyes focused on his half-eaten meal. “Sorry about that,” he muttered.
Emily’s heart squeezed as he scooped a forkful of green beans into his mouth and avoided her stare. His conversation clearly hadn’t been pleasant. She’d have to convince him to open up about it later when they were alone.
“I’ve decided that when the orchard opens for the season, I’ll allow you to give the market a try,” Leon said.
Jake’s eyes snapped to his father’s. “You will?”
“Yes.” Leon wagged a finger at his son. “But if it flops, then never again. Understood?”
“Yep, understood.” Jake gave Emily a half-hearted smile. “I guess that means we need to get to work, Carmichael.”
Emily grinned. “I’m ready when you are, Hughes.”
“I’m looking forward to seeing what you dream up here,” Diane said. “Oh, and who was that on the phone?”
Jake’s expression flattened instantly. “Claire.” He lifted his glass of sweet tea and took a long draw.
“How’s she doing?”
Emily hated how Diane’s expression brightened when she asked about Claire, and she hated herself for being jealous of Claire.
Again.
Jake shifted in his seat. “Okay, I guess.”
“Is she in town?”
He shook his head. “Nashville.”
“That’s right. Her mom told me that when I ran into her last week.” Diane pointed at Leon. “Sherry said that we need to have
dinner with her and Ron. It’s been too long. I miss our weekly dinners.” Then she faced Jake again. “When is Claire coming
home?”
“Not sure.” Jake continued to stare at his plate, moving the food around absentmindedly.
Diane frowned. “Listen, I’m not going to pry about whatever’s going on with you two.
But I promise, whatever it is, it’ll get better.
” She gave Leon a sad smile. “Your dad and I had plenty of rough patches when we were dating, and plenty after we got married. But we soldiered on and got through it. You and Claire will do the same. Those tough times will make you stronger as a couple.”
Emily tried to ignore the queasiness that overtook her stomach as she imagined Jake and Claire beaming at each other at the
altar, their current tiff a distant memory and a happy future together stretched out in front of them.
Then she gave herself a mental head slap. She was Jake’s friend. And if he was suffering, she was going to help him through
this hard time, whether Claire was in the picture or not.
Uncertainty flickered in Jake’s eyes. More than ever, Emily longed to get him alone for a few minutes and force him to open
up to her.
Diane turned to her. “You mentioned that you and Steve broke up. Are you seeing someone new?”
Emily was so stunned by the shift in the conversation she couldn’t answer for a moment. “Uh . . . n-no.”
“Well, don’t give up, sweetheart. You’ll find the right guy. Just don’t be afraid to put yourself out there and meet new people.”
Emily was suddenly dragged back in time to senior year, when she’d had her heart broken by her prom date. Since Jake was glued
to Claire, Emily had agreed to go to prom with a sweet guy in her Spanish class named Lawson. He’d asked her out nearly a
half dozen times before she agreed to go. And they’d had a great time at the dance. Lawson was funny, attentive, and cute,
and Emily had started to like him. She thought maybe they’d become a couple. But a week after prom, she spotted him kissing
a gorgeous blonde in the hallway.
Once again, she’d lost out to a prettier and more exciting girl.
And when her mother found her crying in her room, Mom had given her almost the exact same advice as Diane was sharing now.
Emily’s heart ached. She missed her mother so much.
“I think I’m better off alone,” Emily said. “I’ve given up on love for now.”
“Now don’t do that,” Diane instructed. “My meemaw used to say that there’s a lid for every pot, and I agree.” She turned to
her son. “I’m anxious for Jake to settle down. You’re going to be thirty in January. You and Claire just need to learn how
to compromise, and then we can plan a wedding. After you’re married, I’ll finally have some grandkids running around the orchard.”
Yup, that definitely was bile rising in Emily’s throat.
She needed to find a way to shed her jealousy. But there it was, tying her insides into a knot. Again.
Sighing, Emily took another sip of sweet tea.