Chapter 13 #2
“Okay.” But he made no move to go. Rather, he kissed her again, softly and sweetly this time, devastating her with every stroke of his tongue. “It’s going to work out. Remember that I promised you, okay?”
“I’ll try.”
With what seemed like great reluctance, he disentangled himself from her and got back on the snowmobile to return to the tree farm, where her daughter waited for them. As he steered them back the way they’d come, Emma rested her face against his back and held on tight to him and his promises.
When they returned to the tree farm, they marveled over the huge snowman Lucas and Simone had built while they were gone. Lucas invited them up to his loft for the hot chocolate he’d promised Simone.
“What a great space,” Emma said, taking in the post-and-beam ceiling, the fireplace, the knotty-pine wood floor and the other rustic touches. “I love it.”
“I like it, too,” Lucas said as he put a kettle on to boil. “From one barn to another. Such is my lot in life.”
Emma laughed at the witty comment. “At least you’re up here rather than in one of the stalls.”
“There is that. My grandparents lived here for a time when they were first married, and my parents stayed here while their barn was being renovated. Lots of family history in this place.”
“You all have the coolest homes up here,” Emma said. “I love the rustic vibe.”
“It’s rustic, all right,” Lucas said. “Especially when the wind chill is at thirty below zero.”
Emma shivered. “I don’t think I’d like that.”
Grayson put his arm around her. “I’d keep you warm.”
She shivered for a whole different reason, imagining how he’d do that.
They enjoyed a cup of hot chocolate with Lucas before departing in Grayson’s SUV.
“How about some pizza before I take you ladies home?” he asked.
“Yes!” Simone said from the backseat.
“Pizza is her favorite food group,” Emma said.
“Mine, too,” Grayson said. “Especially Kingdom Pizza. It’s the best.”
They shared a large cheese pizza and split a salad. Over dinner, Grayson asked what Simone’s favorite part of her trip to Vermont had been.
“Hmm, I really liked skiing until I hurt my arm, and the sleigh ride was pretty cool, too. I liked meeting you.”
“I liked that, too.”
She pushed her new iPhone across the table. “I’m putting everyone’s contacts in my phone. Will you put yours?”
Emma could see that he was touched that she would ask.
“Of course, but only if you’ll text me.”
“I will.”
“Remember that I have no cell service in Butler, so it might take me a day or two to reply, but I’ll always reply.” He handed his phone to her. “Add yourself to my contacts.”
As Simone dedicated herself to the task, Emma and Grayson shared a smile. She mouthed the words thank you to him. Under the table, he grasped her hand and brought it to rest on his leg.
Darkness had descended upon Butler by the time they returned to the Abbotts’.
Emma was filled with dread at the thought of saying good-bye to him and was relieved when he came inside with them.
They found Molly wearing a robe over her pajamas, curled up in front of the fire with a down comforter over her lap, and Linc asleep in his chair.
“This grandparent gig is exhausting,” Molly said.
“How’re they doing?” Grayson asked.
“Very well. The baby is getting great reports, and Hannah actually got some sleep today.”
“Can we see the baby before we go?” Simone asked her mom.
“Not this time.”
“Why not?”
“Moms of new babies are very protective of them when they’re first born. Usually they only allow their immediate family near the baby for the first month or two. By the time we come back to visit Lucy, baby Callie will be big enough for a visit.”
“We should get her a present,” Simone said.
“Definitely. Why don’t you run up and get out your pajamas? I’ll be up to help you in a minute.”
“Okay, Mommy.”
After Simone went upstairs, Molly said, “Lucy called to check on Simone. And Will and Cameron called to invite you guys to a get-together at their house tonight. Lucy said to tell you she’ll be there and wants to see you before you leave.”
“Simone has already had a big day,” Emma said.
“She can stay here with us,” Molly said. “We’re early to bed tonight.”
“I wouldn’t want to impose,” Emma said hesitantly. “You’ve already been such wonderful hosts.”
“Oh please, honey. She’s a pleasure to have around. We’d be happy to have her here with us. You two should go out while you can.”
Emma glanced at Grayson, who raised his brows. “Do you want to go?”
“Only if you do.”
“I’d really like to see Lucy and the others before we leave.”
“Then let’s go,” he said.
“I need to get Simone settled first. Give me a few minutes?”
“Take your time.” He took a seat in one of the easy chairs while she went upstairs to help Simone.
“How’s it going up here?” she asked her daughter, who was sitting on the edge of the bed, her pajamas next to her.
“Okay.”
“What’s the matter?”
“I’m sad that we have to leave tomorrow. It’s fun here. There’s always something to do.”
“I know, baby. We’ll come back and visit again soon.” Emma helped her remove the sling and carefully eased her sweater up and over her head, revealing her badly bruised elbow. “How’s it feeling?”
“Hurts a little, but not bad.”
Emma planned to have it checked by an orthopedic doctor when they got back to the city.
That was one of many things on her to-do list once they returned to real life.
The thought of it exhausted her as she helped Simone change into pajamas, realizing it’d been a long time since she’d had to help her daughter get dressed.
Time with her was flying by so quickly. Soon, she’d be a teenager, a thought that had Emma snuggling Simone into a hug.
“Grayson and I were going to go out for a little while. Molly and Linc said you can hang out with them.” The Abbotts had insisted that Simone call them by their first names, even if Emma had wanted her to call them Mr. and Mrs. Abbott. “Is that okay with you?”
“Sure. Will I see Auntie Lu before we go?”
“We’ll make sure of it. Should we put the sling back on?”
“I think I’m okay without it.”
“Just be careful not to overdo it.”
“I will.”
Emma escorted Simone back downstairs with the new doll Santa had brought her and a couple of her favorite books.
“Is that the new doll?” Grayson asked her.
“Yes, this is Ashley,” she said of the doll that shared her auburn hair. “She’s not American Girl, because Mommy said they’re ridiculously expensive, but I think she’s really pretty.”
“I agree,” he said. “Can I hold her?”
Emma’s heart melted at the request as well as the big smile that lit up Simone’s adorable face.
“Sure.” She took the doll to him and set her carefully in his arms.
Watching him cradle the doll with such tender care, Emma was struck by a pang of yearning to see him holding a baby of theirs someday.
Holy hell, where did that thought come from?
Ten years into motherhood, the last thing she wanted was to start over again.
But if he were the father… Stop. Just stop.
“She’s very pretty,” Grayson said. “Just like her mama.” He handed her back to Simone. “Thanks for letting me hold her.”
“You’re welcome.”
“Are you ready?” Emma asked him.
“Whenever you are.”
Emma hugged and kissed Simone. “Be good for Molly and Linc, and go to bed when they tell you to.”
“She’ll be fine,” Molly said. “Go have a good time.”
“Thank you,” Emma said, filled with anticipation for more time alone with Grayson.
“Night, Simone,” Grayson said.
Simone crooked her finger at him.
He went to her and squatted in front of her.
“Thank you for the sleigh ride and the pizza. It was a lot of fun.”
“You’re very welcome.” He stood and then leaned in to kiss her forehead. “Sweet dreams.” To Molly and Linc, he said, “Sleep tight, guys.”
“We’ll sleep like zombies after this day,” Linc said.
“Congrats again on the new granddaughter,” Emma said. “And thanks again for having Simone.”
“Our pleasure.”