Chapter 7
7
Emma
“ A re you certain it’s okay? Have you talked to your family about me staying?” Emma followed Sophia around the barn. It was too early in the morning for anyone to be awake, and yet here she was, helping Sophia feed the horses and other animals on the premises.
“They won’t care. The animals need to be looked after. It’s a lot for even one person, but you won’t have to worry about that. Mostly, I just want you to look after the puppies. They need fresh food and water and changing out the pads. You think you can handle that?”
Emma nodded. “Of course. But wait, you said I won’t have to worry about the other animals? Is there someone else who will be helping out?”
Sophia nodded, but she was frazzled as she tended to the animals in the barn. “Mateo asked someone to come help out, so you don’t have to worry about the other animals. He’s also got a vet to come check on the pups in a few days. It should be easy enough.” She dusted off her hands and gave Emma a smile. “If you need anything, you can call me on that brick of yours.”
Emma held up her burner phone. Sophia’s description of the phone was more than accurate. It was a far cry from the smart device she had hidden away in her belongings, now without its SIM card. A smile tugged at her lips. The only other person who had her new number was her sister, and she’d been sworn to secrecy. “Yeah, I have your number.”
“Good, then if there are any problems, you can call me. The number for the vet and anyone else you might need is on the kitchen table, but I doubt you will need it. I’m sorry we have to rush out like this, but the plane leaves in a couple hours. I told Mateo we should have left already, but he always takes forever. I swear, he takes more time to get ready than most women do.” Sophia laughed as they emerged from the barn. A shuttle van honked out in front of the house, and Sophia turned to her. “I really wish I didn’t have to go. But maybe you could consider staying a little longer so we can really get to know each other.”
“I still don’t understand why you’re letting me stay at your place. We’ve only just met.”
Sophia pulled her in for an unexpected hug, then withdrew enough to meet her gaze. “I can tell when I meet someone I can trust. Besides, it’s the least I can do after what my horse put you through—and you not suing us. Mateo was furious when he heard about it. He wouldn’t let me hear the end of it.” She hugged Emma once more. “And think of it this way. You wanted to have some peace and quiet to get your head on straight, right? Well, since there will barely be anyone around, you’ll get to have just that.”
Emma couldn’t believe it. Sophia was either far too trusting, or there was something she wasn’t letting on about. No one in their right mind would have given the keys to their house to a perfect stranger. Emma had no business running or overseeing anything at this ranch. And yet, here she was, accepting the offer.
Maybe Emma was the crazy one. It was entirely possible that she’d had a mental break and the few days she’d spent here in Copper Creek already were enough to brainwash her into wanting to stay. She glanced around the property, already knowing that she’d grown accustomed to the quiet, vast expanse. The stillness welcomed her with open arms.
“I have to get going, but you’re going to be okay, right?” Sophia pressed a key into Emma’s hand. “And really, call me if you need anything.”
Emma’s eyes followed the woman with whom she was beginning to feel more of a connection to than some of the people she’d known since she was a child. She climbed into the shuttle and the white van drove off the property, leaving Emma questioning once again what she was thinking when she agreed to stay.
She had been thinking that the motel was getting expensive and she was running out of money in her small account. If she wanted to stay away from LA longer, she’d need to figure out a way to get some money and quick. Sophia’s call had been unexpected, but it had also been an answer to her prayers. This would work for the next couple of days until Emma found a new place to stay.
Emma headed toward the house and entered it from the back. She checked all the windows and all the doors, then settled in. There was a piece of paper on the table with all the instructions and schedules for the animals, along with the phone numbers that Sophia had mentioned. Apparently, the person they had coming to take care of the larger animals would need these instructions. Sophia hadn’t mentioned when the individual would arrive or whether Emma would have to interact with them. Thankfully, Emma still had the sunglasses in case the person who showed up might recognize her.
She busied herself by wandering through the house and checking out the rooms. She wanted to get acquainted with where everything was if she was going to be staying there.
There were five bedrooms and three bathrooms. A dining room was attached to the kitchen, and a space for entertaining was up front by the entrance. The Palmer family had an office area with plenty of books as well. The whole place was decorated in a more traditional way, as if the house hadn’t been updated for two decades at least.
Emma trailed her fingers along the books and then paused when she caught sight of the computer. She’d steered clear of the internet and live television. Something had told her that she didn’t want to know what was going on in the world—mostly because it might have something to do with her voluntary disappearance.
She plucked a book from the shelf. She’d never been much of a reader; perhaps that was why she struggled with writing her own lyrics. Instead, she preferred focusing her talent on composing the music she sang.
Placing the book back on the shelf, Emma swept her focus through the room again before leaving. She found herself walking through the hallway upstairs. One bedroom door was slightly ajar and she poked her head inside. It was clean and organized, but the one thing that stood out was a guitar that rested in the corner.
Her fingers tingled with anticipation as she entered the room to take a better look. It wasn’t as nice as the ones she used in her concerts, but it was decent—better than one of her first guitars as a child.
Emma picked it up and draped the strap over her head. Her calloused fingers found their mark on the fingerboard, and she exhaled as her right hand strummed the strings. The acoustic sound breathed fresh life into her soul, making her no longer feel on edge. Sophia was right. Emma needed this moment—the time alone that had been offered to her.
After a couple days on their property, she would be able to open her email, make her apologies and return to the life she was supposed to lead.
Her phone buzzed in her back pocket and she jumped. There were only two people who had the number, and she doubted Sophia was already checking in on her. She pried the bulky device out and flipped it open, already expecting to hear the familiar voice of her sister on the other end.
“Emma! Thank goodness you’re okay.”
Emma laughed. “Of course I’m okay. Why wouldn’t I be?”
“Gee, I don’t know. Maybe it’s because you got this new number and didn’t tell me why. And now it’s all over the news.”
She grimaced. That was one thing she hadn’t told her sister. She hadn’t exactly been clear about what was really going on.
“What aren’t you telling me? Imagine my surprise when I read online that your manager couldn’t locate you, and if any of your friends and family knew where you were, to please contact her!”
Emma groaned. She knew that Rachel would go to great lengths to try to find her, but to make a public statement like that? She’d thought she would have at least a couple weeks before Rachel got that desperate.
“Why didn’t you tell me that you were hiding out from your manager?”
“I didn’t tell you because I knew you wouldn’t approve.”
“Absolutely, I wouldn’t approve. You’re lucky that Mom doesn’t use social media and likes to steer clear of the news, because she would be all up in your business. I told her you were taking a little vacation in case she gets wind of this mess. Of course she said you deserved the break. But seriously, do you even have a plan? You’ve never been this reckless.”
“Yeah, I know.” Emma sighed. “I just needed some space, okay? Rachel had me going from one thing to the next without a reprieve. I can’t keep going like this.”
The silence on the other end of the line was the only indication that Jessica might empathize with Emma’s situation. She didn’t speak, didn’t make any judgments, didn’t say a single word.
“I gave you my number because we talk so much, and I knew you would get worried if you couldn’t reach me. Then I took out the SIM card and shut off my phone so I could take some time to get my head on straight.”
“Where are you?” Jessica demanded.
“That doesn’t matter.”
“Yes, it does! Say porcupine if you’re in trouble.”
Emma laughed in spite of herself. “How would I work that into the conversation?”
“Fine, then cough. I need to know you’re okay.”
She sighed. “I thought I was supposed to be the protective older sister.”
“I mean it, Em. Please tell me you’re okay and that I don’t have to track you down and drag you out of the depths of despair or something.”
Emma smiled. “I’m fine . I just need a little bit of space to breathe, that’s all. I swear. I won’t get into trouble. I’m lying low. And I met a new friend.”
“Do they know who you are?”
“Not that I can tell.” Emma glanced down at the guitar. “I promise I’ll answer the phone and check in. I won’t do anything stupid. And if there are any problems, I’ll text you our code word.”
“Do you even know how to spell porcupine?”
Emma rolled her eyes, shaking her head as she got to her feet and set the guitar down on its stand. “I’m sure I can figure it out.”
More silence followed, then it was as if the air itself had changed. Jessica’s concerned voice turned more curious. “So… what are you doing now that you have some space ? Writing some songs? Please tell me you’re letting yourself have some fun.”
“I’m doing a little bit of both,” Emma said. “I think I might be able to finish putting together the melody for that song I’ve been working on. And I’ve even had a little bit of excitement.”
“Like what? You haven’t met a guy, have you?”
Her thoughts shifted to Caleb and the way they’d interacted the couple of times they’d bumped into each other. He was cute, but he was far too serious. Not only that, but she had a feeling that he wasn’t all that pleased he had met her. “No, I’m keeping to myself for the most part. I met this girl named Sophia. She’s letting me house-sit for her while her family is gone.”
“Seriously? You must be in the middle of nowhere.”
“Now, why would you say that?” Emma laughed.
“Because no one in their right mind in LA would let a stranger just take care of their house when they’ve only known them a week. People in most places wouldn’t trust a stranger to do that. Whoever this Sophia is, she’s either crazy or she’s way too trusting.”
“Maybe she’s just a good judge of character.”
Jessica snorted. “Maybe. Or maybe you’re in a town where they still keep their doors unlocked twenty-four-seven.” She went quiet again for a few moments. Then she asked quietly, “Do you think I could come visit you? I promise I wouldn’t draw attention or anything.”
Emma shook her head. “I don’t think that’s a good idea. If Rachel is already asking the world to find me, then she’s probably going to have eyes on you. It’s not a good idea for you to have anything to do with me, or someone will figure it out. I guess we’re both lucky she’s a little scared of you.”
“You’re probably right.” Jessica let out a derisive laugh. “I bet Rachel is furious right about now.”
“Yeah, she probably is.”
“And you don’t care?”
Emma thought about it for a moment. “It’s not that I don’t care. I don’t like what I’m putting her through, but I’ve also told her that I can’t handle it when she lumps all my events in my schedule like this. She needs to learn that I’m the one paying her.”
“Rachel is definitely the type of person to ignore your request. From what I understand, she’s a workaholic who needs to find a boyfriend.”
Another laugh bubbled up from Emma’s chest. “I suppose.” There was a sound farther into the house, and Emma’s heart skipped. She spun around and headed toward the top of the stairs. “Hey,” she murmured, “I don’t want to cut you off, but I have to go.”
Before she got her sister’s goodbye, she hung up.
The front door was definitely rattling, and then it creaked open.
Without thinking, she shouted, “Stop where you are! I have a gun!”