Chapter 13 #2
her to the nurse and into the treatment area.
Out of the corner of her eye, Emily spotted Claire moving over one seat to sit beside her. Emily turned to face her just as
the young woman gave her a smirk.
“What’s that look for?” Emily asked, dreading the response.
Claire lifted her chin and eyed her. “You’ll only ever be his friend.”
Emily tried to mask her shock as she studied her. “What makes you think I want more than friendship from him?”
“Oh please.” Claire scoffed. “I’ve always noticed how you look at him. You remind me of a sad little puppy. But Jake’s only
ever seen you as a buddy, and that’s all you’ll ever be.”
Emily did her best to pretend that the barb didn’t sting, but it did—right in the center of her heart.
Emily parked her Jeep in the driveway beside Claire’s sleek Audi Q5 SUV later that evening. She kicked herself for not taking
Diane’s sedan to the hospital so that she could help get Leon home. But since she had taken her two-door, lifted Jeep Wrangler,
Claire got to be the hero and chauffeur Diane and Leon home.
Well, good for Claire. She was, after all, perfect in every other way. Why shouldn’t she also take care of Jake’s parents?
Setting her jaw, Emily jumped out of her Jeep just as Jake opened one of the Audi’s back doors.
“Take it easy,” he instructed his father. Jake held out his hand and then gingerly lifted Leon to his feet. “Let’s go through
the garage so that we don’t have to climb the front steps.”
Claire looped her arm around Diane’s shoulders and led her to the garage, where she typed in the code and then walked her
inside. Of course Claire knew the garage code. She most likely still had a key to the front door of this house—and Jake’s
too.
“I’ll help you get organized before I go home,” Claire said. “I bet you’re famished after that long hospital stay. Would you
like me to make you something to eat?”
Emily couldn’t hear Diane’s response, but she imagined Claire whipping up a four-course meal in a matter of minutes.
And it would be delicious to boot. She shoved away her irritation and envy to focus instead on Jake, who was holding his father up while he limped toward the door that led from the garage into the house.
She hurried ahead of them and held the door open. “Can I help?”
Leon held out his left hand, and she assisted him while Jake nearly lifted him up the two steps. The three of them found Claire
and Diane in the kitchen.
“Are you sure you’re not hungry?” Claire asked Jake’s mom.
“Thank you, honey, but I think Leon and I need rest more than anything.” She gave Claire a hug, and Emily hated herself for
being jealous. “I appreciate your help.”
Claire gave her a sad smile. “I’m just grateful I could be here. I’ll come by tomorrow too.”
“Let me sit,” Leon grumbled.
Emily pulled out a chair, and Jake assisted his father as he sank down onto it.
“I’ll let you all get settled. See you tomorrow.” Claire gave Jake a long, lingering look, and silence drifted over the kitchen.
Jake lifted his ball cap, pushed his hand through his hair, and readjusted the cap. “’Night,” he finally said.
Claire studied him, and Emily was certain she felt tension expand between them. After a few moments, Claire said, “I guess
I’ll walk myself out.” She waited a beat and then huffed out a breath. “Good night,” she said before marching out through
the garage.
Diane sagged against the counter. “What a day.”
Leon shook his head but remained silent.
Emily got the feeling that the family wanted to be alone, and she pointed toward the hallway. “I’ll get up early and make breakfast. Good night.”
“Hang on a sec, Em,” Jake said quickly. “I’m going to help my dad to his room, and then I’ll be right back.”
She waited while Jake helped his father up to his feet and then through the doorway that led to their first-floor bedroom.
“Thanks for your help tonight,” Diane told Emily. “I’m going to make some chamomile tea. Would you like some?”
“No, thank you.”
Diane filled the kettle and turned on the burner. “You have a gift when it comes to Jake.”
“What do you mean?” Emily asked as surprise zipped through her.
Diane gave her a knowing smile. “You may not realize it, but your presence always seems to calm him down. I noticed it when
you were kids, and it’s still true today.”
Emily was so stunned by the compliment that she couldn’t speak for a moment.
Footsteps sounded in the hallway, and Jake reappeared. “You need anything?” he asked his mother.
“No, thank you.” She sighed. “But it would be helpful if you could call your sister tomorrow. I don’t want to get her all
upset tonight.”
“Good idea.” He hugged her. “It’s going to be okay.”
She touched his cheek. “Good night.”
As he walked toward Emily, Diane winked at her.
Well, that was unexpected.
Emily played it cool and waved. “See you in the morning.”
Jake took Emily’s arm and led her to the stairs, where he drooped against the wall. “What a day.”
She agreed but longed to rewind time back to his garage and explore that almost kiss. But that was selfish. She should focus on Jake and his family, but she needed to know where she stood in his heart. Her fingers fluttered to her mother’s rings on her necklace.
Jake’s blue eyes filled with concern. “You okay?”
“Yeah.” She considered their unfinished conversation while they sat on the bench at the ER. “You’re not really going to give
up on the orchard celebration, are you?” she asked. “We’ve already wallpapered downtown with flyers, and the barn is done.”
He scrubbed his hands over his face.
“We’ve done the hard part. We can’t give up now.”
“You’re right.” He folded his arms over his wide chest. “I’m just worried about my folks.”
“You can check on them throughout the day. I’ll make sure everything is coming together.”
“Okay.” His expression softened. “I’m sorry about what happened at the ER.”
She stiffened. “What do you mean?”
His posture drooped some more. “I shouldn’t have asked you to leave me alone to talk to Claire. I just needed to try to get
my point across with her.”
“Oh. Okay.” She hesitated, and once again she wondered if he had called Claire and asked her to come to the hospital. Of course
he had. He still loved her, and the moment Emily and Jake had shared in the garage was only a fluke. He’d been caught up in
the excitement of the cider and all their plans for the anniversary coming together. That was all.
Her face crumpled in a frown. “Good night.” She started up the stairs.
“Whoa, whoa, whoa.” He snagged her arm, and his eyebrows lifted. “What’s up?”
She waved him off. “Nothing.” She pulled her arm out of his grip. “It’s been a long night. I think we both need some rest.”
“Hold on. Do you think you can hide your feelings from me?” He pointed between them. “I know that expression. You’re feeling
something big. Tell me.”
You’ll only ever be his friend.
Claire’s words played on a loop in her brain, and she tried to ignore how her throat thickened.
“Just say it. You can always be honest with me.” His blue eyes pleaded with her.
She licked her lips. “Did you call Claire?”
His forehead creased. “What?”
“Did you call or text Claire and ask her to come to the hospital?”
He snorted. “No. Why would I?”
She studied him. Was he telling the truth? But why would he lie?
“Hey.” He touched her hand. “You really think I called her?”
“No . . .” She hesitated. “But if you didn’t, then how did she know to come to the hospital?”
“Her best friend is an ER nurse.”
She grimaced. How could she forget? “Jessica Watson,” she said.
“Exactly.” He studied her. “You really thought I called her?”
“I mean . . . I don’t know.” I hoped you didn’t.
“Come here.”
He opened his arms, and she burrowed herself against his chest.
She closed her eyes and listened to his heartbeat while her mind recalled how he’d almost kissed her earlier. Had they missed
their chance? Would he ever try again? Or had he realized it was a mistake to almost cross that line?
Finally, he released her, and she held her breath, hoping he might actually consider giving it another try.
But instead, he touched her shoulder. “Good night, Emily.”
“Good night, Jake,” she said before he turned and headed toward the garage door.