Chapter 12 #2
“Have you heard anything about Leon’s condition?” Claire asked.
Emily shook her head. “I haven’t seen Jake since he went back to find his parents.”
Claire clicked her tongue. “I hope he’s okay.”
“Yeah. Me too,” Emily said.
Claire recovered her phone from the depths of her Gucci purse. “I texted Jake, but he hasn’t responded.” She sighed. “I hope
he gets back to me.” Her eyes locked on Emily again, and Emily felt itchy under her stare. “How long are you staying in Splendid
Lake?”
Before Emily could respond, the doors leading to the treatment area opened with a whoosh, and Jake and Diane headed out into the waiting room. Emily popped up to her feet.
Claire craned her neck over her shoulder and gasped as she stood. She took off toward them and hugged Diane before wrapping
her arms around Jake and nearly knocking him over. He patted her back, but his eyes were focused on Emily.
Then Claire took Diane’s hand and led her to a chair across from Emily before sitting down beside Diane. “Do you want something
to drink?” she asked.
Diane shook her head. “No, thank you.”
“I’m so sorry this happened. How is he?” Claire asked.
“His right arm is broken, and he has several bumps and bruises. He also sprained his knee and bruised his ankle.”
Claire turned toward where Jake stood stoically watching them. “Jakey!” she exclaimed. “Sit.” She pointed to the chair beside
her.
Jake shoved his hands into his pockets and just watched her.
Emily tried to read his expression. He was stressed, but was he upset about more than just his dad?
She couldn’t tell, and she wanted more than anything to grab his hand, yank him over to a private corner, and convince him to spill everything that was burdening his heart.
“How can I help?” Claire asked Diane, taking her hand in hers. “I can stay at the house with you.”
Emily swallowed a groan. If Claire moved into Jake’s parents’ house, then she’d for sure head back to Charlotte soon—like,
immediately!
Once again she wondered who had told Claire about Leon. Had Jake called her? But why would he call her if he was pulling away
from her?
Because when the chips are down, Claire will always have his heart . . .
The thought was like a knife to Emily’s soul. She sank back against the hard vinyl chair and worked to keep her raging emotions
under control.
Jake brushed his hand over his mouth. He couldn’t believe the scene that was playing out in front of him. Claire was holding
Mom’s hand and offering to stay at his folks’ house to help care for his injured father. How had she found out about his father’s
accident, and why was she here? Was his ex stalking him, or had she suddenly contracted ESP?
He had no idea how she’d gotten here, but he knew one thing for sure—her drama was the last thing he needed today. His eyes flicked to Emily across from Claire and Mom. Emily had slumped back in her seat with her
focus locked on the two women, and her expression was fixed in a deep frown.
Jake couldn’t think of a worse case of emotional whiplash.
He’d gone from the highest high—nearly kissing Emily and telling her that he cared about her—to the lowest low—realizing his father had been in an accident and he wasn’t there to help his parents when they needed him most. And then he’d nearly sobbed in Emily’s arms. He wanted off this nightmare roller coaster now!
He’d been working so hard to keep everything together at the orchard, but now it all had blown up in his face. It was his
job to make sure that his parents and the business were taken care of, and he’d failed today—he’d failed miserably.
“Jake, stop being so stubborn and come sit with us,” Claire ordered, patting the chair beside her with a hopeful expression.
“You need to relax for a minute. I can see the tension in your shoulders from all the way over here.”
Pursing his lips, Jake studied his ex-girlfriend. He wanted her to leave and mind her own business, and he could think of
a few choice words for her. But he was too emotionally spent.
“I need some air,” he mumbled before heading toward the exit.
“Jakey!” Claire cried out as her heels clicked toward him.
He gritted his teeth and kept moving forward. He despised that nickname. He could still hear Emily and the rest of his buddies
mocking him mercilessly about it at school.
A hand grabbed his arm and hauled him backward. He spun and came face-to-face with Claire. “I told you, I need a few minutes
alone,” he repeated.
Claire rolled her eyes. “Alone time can wait. You should be with your family, Jakey.”
“We’re not sixteen anymore, Claire. My name is Jake,” he said.
She blanched as if he’d struck her.
“Oh. Right. Of course.” She gave an awkward little laugh. “Just come sit with us, okay? I was just telling your mom that I
can come and help out. I’m back in town for a while.”
Great. Just what I need, Claire hanging out and not taking a hint. As usual.
“I said I need some fresh air.” He looked past her toward Emily, hoping to catch her eye and give her some sort of nonverbal
clue to meet him outside. But she was busy studying her short nails and avoiding his gaze.
Why was Claire glued to his side while Emily was ignoring him? Had the world suddenly turned upside down?
Squaring his shoulders, he leveled his gaze with Claire. “I’m going outside to get some air alone.”
“Okay. I’ll stay with your mom.”
“Great,” he muttered before stalking out of the exit and leaving Claire standing in the waiting room.