26. Emerson
Emerson
Dad’s mouth curls into a smirk as I shuffle out of the bathroom. His hands are folded across his chest as his eyes roam over my appearance.
Clearing my throat, I stroll toward him and try to spin a convincing ruse. “Sorry, we were working on painting the bathroom. I guess the music was so loud I couldn’t hear you.”
“Loud music, huh?” He snorts. “What were you listening to?”
Shit.
“Country!” Henley chimes in from behind me. “Something about being back home made me want to put on some old classics from growing up.”
She casually strolls out of the bathroom, looking as calm as a cucumber . . . minus her swollen, puffy lips.
My Dad’s eyes bounce back and forth between us before he smiles and shakes his head. “Country music is always a good choice,” he says, tossing her a wink.
“So, what’s this good news you wanted to tell us?” I ask.
“Well, I know we’re still a few weeks out, but I just got off the phone with a good friend of mine from college. Mike Wallace, you remember?”
“Is he the one we used to go camping with every once in a while? Lives in Lake Tahoe?”
“Yep, that’s the one. Anyway, we got to talking, and his daughter is getting married, but her venue fell through—caught on fire and the whole place burned down.”
“How horrible! Poor thing, what are they going to do now?” Henley asks, true concern growing on her features.
A grin stretches wide on Dad’s face, and immediately I know his answer. “I told him we’d be happy to host them.”
Henley’s mouth falls open, and he lets out a laugh.
“They’re having a really small wedding, so there won’t be many guests. Everything is built. The cabins and the staffing were just the last of it. I believe that we can pull this off, if the two of you are willing to help me out?”
“Of course. I’m in,” I say. But I note the silence next to me.
Hen’s eyes are wide, her teeth chewing against her bottom lip. “What about the catering, who’s going to cook? I haven’t even started looking for anyone for you yet.”
She raises a hand to her chest. The panic beginning to set in. Discreetly, I shift myself a little closer and rub my palm soothingly over her lower back.
“Well, it’s lucky that we have our very own professional chef, isn’t it?” Dad grins.
I peer over toward Henley and watch her swallow deeply. Her fingers fidget within the hem of her shirt, and I can see the fear swelling within her.
“I—uh, well I . . .” She swallows again as I catch her hand begin to tremble.
I reach out and wrap it tightly in my own. “There’s no one more capable of doing this than you. We’ll be right by your side every step of the way,” I say in a slow and steady voice.
Her lips tighten as she contemplates my words, her tiny fingers squeezing tightly against my palm.
“So, what do you say, Hen? Are you in?”
Her eyelids squeeze shut as she takes a long drawl of air.
“Okay.” She nods. “I’m in.”
Dad claps his hands together, excitement bursting through him. “This is the greatest day! Thank you both so much. I haven’t been this excited in a long time!”
He pulls Hen into his burly arms, and I watch the anxiety slowly shift away as she melts into his comforting hug. “This is going to be wonderful, sweetheart. You’re going to blow them away with your talent, I know it.”
Releasing Hen, he turns, pulling me into his embrace. “I know your Mama is smiling bright right now. She’d be so proud. We’re finally going to fulfill her dreams.”
An ache tugs in my heart. But this time, it’s not encompassed by grief.
This time, the ache stems from love. It overwhelms my senses as it thaws through the icy layer that I’ve built around my heart.
After years of driving blindly through the thick fog of grief and shame, the sun is peeking through, helping illuminate my path around this curve.
Dad releases me with a pat on my shoulder before making his way toward the door.
Just before he leaves, he turns back, shouting over his shoulder to Hen.
“The venue was also going to make their wedding cake, so they needed a new one. I sent them Harper’s information as well.
Tell her she’s more than welcome to join us that day, too.
As usual, I’ll make sure you’re all compensated for your time and efforts. ”
“Oh, you don’t need to worry about that at all, Preston. You’ve already paid me enough for just the little bit I’ve done. I couldn’t possibly take—”
“Hush,” Dad interrupts. “I’m going to do it because you work hard and deserve every cent I give you. Now, indulge this old man and don’t fight me on this, okay?”
She nods, producing another huge grin on his bearded face.
“Good. I’m cooking your Mama’s lasagna on Friday, would you both be up for dinner?”
Henley’s gaze wanders toward me, awaiting my answer.
Anxiety slowly creeps over my skin like a chill, but it doesn’t seep all the way in this time.
It’s still present, but today feels a little more manageable than the days before.
Today, I feel a smidge more in control. “Dinner sounds great, Dad. But only if you let Henley help.”
Though his lips purse, mirth twinkles in his eyes. “One time. I burned the noodles one time, and I’ll never live it down.”
“One time was enough to make Mama forbid you from ever cooking pasta again, especially with her good pots.” I snicker from underneath the fist that’s shielding my lips, which only causes him to bristle more.
“Don’t worry, Preston, you can be my sous chef for the evening.”
Hen giggles, and I swear it’s the sweetest fucking sound I’ve ever heard. Closing my eyes, I commit it to memory so I can play it on repeat as many times as I can.
“At least one of you is kind around here,” he grumbles. “I’ll get out of your hair and let you get back to listening to your . . . country music.” He clears his throat to cover his laugh.
Henley’s cheeks redden like a tomato as he walks out the door.
I can’t help but laugh, which earns me a slap on my arm. “Ow!”
“Shut it! I feel like I’m in high school and I just got caught by my father! He totally knows we were doing more than just painting in there. I’m mortified!”
Her palms cover her face. Stepping into her space, I slowly peel them away, holding them gently between us. “No need to be embarrassed. Trust me, if anything, I think he’s super happy about what he just stumbled upon.”
“You think so?”
“It appears most of our family has been aware of our affection for each other over the years. Apparently, our secret pining wasn’t as secret as we may have thought.”
“Yeah.” She releases a breathy laugh. “Ryleigh basically told me the same thing.”
My heart stops and my eyes go wide. “Ryleigh knows?”
Her lips sink beneath her teeth, and I can tell she’s trying her best to contain her laughter.
“Nervous?”
“Hell yes!” I blurt. The laugh she tried to hold in bursts free. “There’s nothing funny about this! Your brother is going to kick my ass. I’m surprised he hasn’t done it already!”
I begin to pace back and forth until her delicate palm wraps around my bicep, halting my steps. She inches her way into my space until she’s right in front of me. With a pat to my cheek, she says, “Well, as long as you treat me like a queen, your ass will be safe.”
“Always, Trouble,” I say softly, brushing the side of her arm with my fingertips. “He was really okay with it?”
Her head slowly bobs. A smile graces her lips, reminding me just how good it felt to devour every inch of them. “Are you still all in?” I ask hesitantly.
Holding my breath, I watch her press up onto her toes. Her delicate hand wraps around my neck, pulling me down to meet her lips. As they brush against mine, I melt into their softness. The kiss alone is enough to alter my brain chemistry.
I’ve never wanted anyone more.
Henley’s always been the one for me. I am going to do everything in my power to hold on to her this time and never let her go.
She pulls back, lowering her heels back to the ground. Time stands still around us, as I take her in. I could stare at her radiant, flushed face all day.
Tucking her hair behind her ear, she bites her bottom lip and scoots back a little to give us some space.
A gap too big for my liking. But it’s understandable she still has reservations.
Still wondering if I will follow through like I should have done, time after time, all those years ago.
If slow and steady is what she needs, then that is what we’ll do.
I’d do anything to make her happy.
Anything to show her how much she means to me.
“Ready to get back to painting?” she asks shyly.
I nod, reaching out to brush her cheek. “Come on, Trouble. I need to do something to distract these hands from roaming over every inch of you.”
Her cheeks burn even brighter, making a nervous laugh fall freely from my lips. Placing my palm at the base of her back, I usher her back toward the bathroom. “We’ve got a lot of work to do to get this place ready for guests in a few weeks.”