Chapter 11
Emma
Knock. Knock. Knock.
Emma shifted beneath her blankets, uncertain whether she had really heard that sound at her door, or if she had dreamt it.
Knock. Knock. Knock.
No, she definitely wasn’t dreaming.
She swung her feet out of bed and into her slippers and walked into the hallway, grabbing her robe as she went. Meanwhile, Riley, ears perked, was alert and sniffing at the front door.
“Open up,”
a feminine voice called out on the other side. “It’s me!”
When Emma unlatched the door and pulled it open, Riley's tail kicked into overdrive, wagging frantically from side to side as if he sensed a familiar presence.
Emma stretched, yawning. “Lisa? You're up early.”
Lisa reached down with one hand, giving Riley a scratch behind the ears as she held Tupperware in the other. “You always know how to make someone feel welcome, don't you boy?”
Straightening up, she looked at Emma. “Well, I think you’re gonna love what I’ve brought you...”
“What’d you bring?”
She followed Lisa as she breezed through the hall and into the kitchen, with Riley trailing behind.
Lisa set the container on the table and pulled off the lid. “Your favorite—blueberry pancakes!”
Emma’s mind flooded with nostalgia of childhood mornings at her grandma’s house. Even as an adult, blueberry pancakes always brought her back to those cherished times. “You didn’t!”
Her mouth dropped. "So, to what do I owe this early morning pancake delivery?" she asked, still marveling at the surprise as she moved to grab some plates and utensils.
Lisa shrugged, taking a seat at the kitchen table. "Oh, I just thought it would be a nice way to start the day. Besides, it's been a while since we caught up.
"That it has," Emma agreed, setting a plate in front of Lisa and another for herself, then began serving the pancakes. Riley watched intently, perhaps hopeful that one would fall his way.
As the aroma of fresh blueberry pancakes filled the air, Emma felt grateful for the simple joys that made life sweeter—even if it meant starting her day a bit earlier than planned.
After grabbing the syrup, Emma took to the coffeemaker, preparing a brew, then fetched two mugs from the shelf above the sink. Turning around, she noticed Lisa’s fingers tapping against the smooth surface of the table.
“So, has anything new happened lately?”
Lisa asked.
Emma sat down and picked up her fork. “No, not really. Business is good, and my summer tutoring sessions are starting back up soon.”
“Is that really it? Come on, you can tell me.”
Emma took a bite of her pancake, shaking her head. “I don’t know what I’m supposed to tell you.”
“Are you telling me you don’t know what everyone’s saying?”
“No, I don’t.”
Emma scrunched her forehead.
“The word around town is that you’re seeing Hadley Cove’s most eligible bachelor. I can’t believe you didn’t tell me first!”
Emma's fork danced around her plate, picking up another piece of pancake. Before responding, she enjoyed another mouthful, savoring its warmth and syrupy goodness. “I’m not following.”
“Tall, dark, and handsome. A butt that looks great in jeans...new in town? I’m quoting your old neighbor,”
Lisa said, wiping her face with a napkin. “She told me you went over to his house.”
Emma paused as a faint blush crept up her cheeks when she realized who Lisa was referring to. “Yeah, I went to Luke’s to pick up Riley.”
“Well, apparently everyone in town is talking about the date y’all had at Phil’s.”
Emma rolled her eyes, leaning back in her chair. “Date? It was just lunch. And everyone in town? Really?”
“Mm-hmm.”
A devilish grin spread across Lisa’s face as she rose to pour the coffee. “So, I’m gonna ask you again, why didn’t you tell me first?”
Emma turned back to her pancakes, shaking her head and chuckling. The Hadley Cove grapevine was nothing short of astounding. The speed and scale at which misinformation could be circulated was mind-boggling.
“Are you denying it?”
Lisa teased. “Because I’ll know you’re lying. I can always tell.”
“There’s nothing to tell.”
Emma set down her utensils and made eye contact with Lisa. “And no, I’m not lying. Do you really think I’d keep something like that from you?”
“Maybe. But only to make me suffer,”
Lisa pouted, with a playful frown.
Although Lisa’s antics amused Emma, she wanted to clarify the situation. “I went over to his house and picked up Riley. He asked me a few things about the house, and I left. Then I happened to see him the next day on the beach, and we had lunch together...As friends. That’s all that happened.”
“So, you think you’ll run into him again anytime soon?”
Emma raised her shoulders in a slight shrug. “Probably. Easy to do that here. But just because we may bump into each other occasionally doesn’t mean I’m seeing him. We just met.”
“He’ll at least be a good rebound. I can see it now,”
Lisa said, with a mischievous glimmer in her eyes. “Yall would have the cutest couple’s name: ‘Lemma.’ I’m Team Lemma already.”
Emma's gaze shifted to the old photograph on the wall, taken at the town fair last year. It reminded her of simpler times. “I’m happy on my own. I have Riley and my business, and that’s all I need right now.”
Her voice seemed to carry the weight of her past and the strength of her present. “I’m not looking for anything serious after what Chad did to me.”
Lisa recoiled at the mention of Chad’s name. “I get it. But someone like him shouldn’t prevent you from finding love again with someone special. You’re amazing, funny, smart. And not to mention, but you’re drop dead gorgeous too. I hate that loser ever made you think otherwise. Anyone in their right mind would be more than lucky to be with you.”
Memories of broken promises surged through Emma. The hurt, the deceit—she closed her eyes briefly and folded her arms. “It’s not as easy as that—”
“For sure. I get it. We all know I’ve had my fair share of disaster relationships.”
Lisa leaned forward. “Chad was terrible to you, and you didn’t deserve that. I just don’t want you missing out on something real, whether that’s with Luke or someone else. That’s all.”
A silent understanding passed between them as Emma recognized the sincerity and love behind her friend’s words. But as much as she understood where Lisa was coming from, she wanted to change the subject to lighter conversation.
Looking down at her half-eaten pancakes, she slid the plate aside and reached for her coffee. “It looks like it’s going to be a nice one out there today.”
She squinted into the sunlight gleaming through the window. “I should probably take Riley out soon. You can join us if you have time.”
“Yeah, let’s go! Want any more pancakes before we head out?”
“No more pancakes.”
Emma patted her stomach. “I’m stuffed. But thank you.”
“Glad you enjoyed them. Things have been slow at my mom’s bed-and-breakfast, so I haven’t been needed over there. Kind of a relief to be honest. I finally had some time to myself to focus on launching my new products.”
Emma’s eyes lit up as she smiled at Lisa. “That’s right! How’s that going?”
“Well, you know those t-shirts I started off with, the ones with Hadley Cove Beach printed on them? Now I’m selling monogrammed mugs, tote bags, and hats too. I’ve even got a display at the surf shop. It’s going really well.”
"That’s a huge leap from just t-shirts! And a display at the surf shop? That's prime real estate. How’d you manage that?"
Lisa sipped her coffee. "Let's just say it helps to have friends in the right places.”
Emma was thrilled to see Lisa thriving, especially after all she had been through years ago with her ex-husband. “That’s fantastic news! You should’ve told me earlier. I’ll definitely check it out. It seems like your business is taking off.”
“Yeah, it is! Of course, I know it’s mainly because of the tourist season, but I hope I can keep the momentum going even after summer ends.”
Emma nodded thoughtfully. “You've always had that entrepreneurial spirit, Lisa. It's amazing to see it in full swing. Just remember, you can hook me up with that ‘best friend’ discount whenever I come shopping!”
she added with a wink.
The two shared a laugh and stood, clearing the breakfast table and rinsing the dishes. Afterward, they took Riley out for a leisurely stroll on the soft, sandy beach—reminiscing about old times, and catching up on each other’s lives with the sun’s warmth on their faces.
They eventually circled back to Emma's cottage and hugged goodbye before Lisa went home. As she watched Lisa’s car grow smaller in the distance, she thought about what she had said earlier.
Was everyone in town really saying they were together?
She sighed deeply, a mixture of exasperation and amusement. The peaceful sound of birds chirping in the background and the sight of Riley tracking a squirrel from behind the window made her momentarily forget the town's whispers.
After stepping back inside, she took a quick shower and dried off, then rummaged through her closet, opting for a simple t-shirt and shorts combo. Emma had eagerly anticipated this day all week, and now it had arrived.
It was Saturday.
Saturdays were reserved for volunteering at Second Chance Rescue with her grandfather, who shared the same passion for supporting animals in need. It had become a weekend ritual for them since she had adopted Riley from there. For Emma, it was her way of giving back to a place that had changed her life and an opportunity to spend time with her ageing grandfather.
Before leaving to pick him up, she tended to Riley, filling his water and food bowls, making sure he had everything he needed. She took one last look around the house, triple-checking that the back door was properly secured. Once everything was in order, she grabbed her keys and headed out.
When Emma pulled into her grandfather’s driveway, she spotted him waiting on the porch, comfortably settled in his rocking chair. As she parked, Liam stood up and made his way to the car.
“Good morning, Em.”
Liam leaned over and planted a gentle kiss on her cheek after getting into the passenger seat. “You’re looking lovely today.”
“Grandpa, you say that every time,”
she said, flipping her hair dramatically with a hand.
“Well, it’s true every time,”
Liam chuckled, giving her arm a playful pinch as she started the car and headed toward town.
“So, how was your week?”
Emma asked.
“Pretty good. Although I did hear a few tidbits about you.”
She groaned, bracing herself for whatever teasing he had in store for her. “I don’t know what you’re talking about, Grandpa.”
“Whatever you say, my dear.”
Liam flashed a grin and steered the conversation in a new direction. “Want to grab some ice cream later after we’re finished?”
“Sure, that sounds great.”
Liam nodded. “But nothing will ever top that ice cream you made with Grandma. That was the best I’ve ever had. It was her recipe.”
Emma's gaze softened as she glanced over at him, then back to the road. Growing up without her father, Liam had been her rock, and over the years, he had taught her life lessons that she carried into adulthood. He'd shown her the intricacies of maintaining a home, the compassion to care for animals, and the strength to stand up for herself. She was grateful for him beyond words.
“So, Grandpa, how do you even have time to keep up with all this gossip?”
“Oh, I make time. Especially for something involving you,”
he said with a wink.
Emma shook her head as she turned onto Main Street. “Well, whatever you think you’ve heard, you probably got it all wrong. You should get your hearing checked soon.”
Liam chuckled. “My ears are as sharp as a hawk’s. Now, how about you tell me about this newcomer in our town? I hear he’s quite the sought-after gentleman.”
“He’s no one, Grandpa. I only met Luke because he was the one who found Riley. And then we had lunch together as friends. It was nothing, really.”
“Ah, I see,”
Liam mused.
Emma’s grip tightened around the steering wheel. “I’m being serious. It was nothing and won’t ever be anything. Not anymore.”
Liam reached over, placing a comforting hand on her arm. “Em, it’s perfectly okay to take a breather, to allow your heart to mend. But from what I know about life, it has a mysterious way of bringing people together when we least expect it.”
The weight of his words echoed in her mind, gently nudging her guarded heart. She knew his advice came from a place of love, but the memories of her failed marriage were still vivid, like an open wound that hadn’t quite healed. It was a pain she didn’t want to revisit.
When they arrived at Second Chance Rescue and got out of the car, Charlotte ran over and went straight for Liam, hugging him like she hadn’t seen him in years.
“Hello, sweetheart. How have you been? How’s school?”
Charlotte bubbled over with excitement as she spoke. “Well, I was voted president of the history club. And I think we have a real chance of bringing home the State Championship in the History Bee this year.”
“That’s great news!”
Liam raised his hand for a high-five. “I guess I’ll have to keep telling you my old stories so you can win.”
Emma looked on, a smile playing on her lips, observing Liam and Charlotte’s animated conversation. After retrieving bags of dog food and other supplies from the trunk, she made her way into the rescue center. As she walked in, the familiar chorus of barks and meows greeted her, guiding her to the volunteer room.
No sooner than she had placed the bags on the table, Kara's voice rang out. "There you are!" She approached Emma with a smile and gave her a hug.
“Hey you!”
She squeezed Kara tightly then pulled back, scanning the room. “Looks like there’s a lot of new arrivals since last weekend.”
Kara sighed, “Yeah, it’s been a busy week. But every bit of help counts. Oh, and before I forget, this is for you.”
She handed Emma a volunteer shirt. “What do you think? Lisa designed them for us.”
“Love these! They’re cute. Yeah, I just saw her an hour ago.”
Emma slipped into the shirt.
“Oh yeah? We all need a girl’s night soon.”
“Yes! We totally should.”
As the conversation wrapped up, Emma joined the others in cleaning the kennels and feeding the animals. It was always a humbling experience for her to see the resilience of these animals who had been abandoned or abused. They still had so much love to give, and she felt privileged to be a part of their journey in finding a forever home.
After a few hours of hard work, it was time for a quick break. Emma grabbed a bottle of water and sat in the courtyard, where Liam and Charlotte were walking some of the dogs.
While she sipped her water, Liam's words from the car ride replayed in her mind.
Maybe life really had brought her and Luke together for a reason.
There was an undeniable charm about him, she thought, a gentle warmth that drew people in. As much as she enjoyed their time together, in her heart, she had already labeled it: a brief intersection of lives in a small town.
Nothing more.
After everything she had been through, she wasn't ready to risk her heart again, not yet. Even if, deep down, a small part of her wished things could be different, it was much safer for her to believe that all they would, and could only ever be, was friends.