I look at Emma and get the feeling that her childhood was probably very different than Jasmine’s.
Maybe one day she’ll want to share that with me.Maybe there’s something our family can do for her, if she chooses to stay in the job long term.Like tuition reimbursement or a scholarship.
Emma is engaged in a heated conversation with Jasmine about hair.Jasmine’s asking why her hair is so shiny and how she gets it that way.
Emma looks up to find me staring at her.She straightens.I see a flash of alarm in her eyes before she returns her attention to Jasmine.I think I’ve already given the poor woman reason to suspect her boss is a real bastard.
Well, of course I have.And she would be right.
We have a wonderful time at dinner, and later while enjoying our desserts from Carla’s Creamy Cone.By the time our evening comes to a close, I think both Jasmine and I feel like we’ve known Emma much longer than just one day.
Jasmine grabs Emma’s hand on the way back to the car and swings her arm wildly.Emma laughs.
I wonder if Jasmine would want to do that with her mother if Amy had lived.Of course she would.
I hold the door open for Emma again, and this time she smiles politely and steps up into the passenger seat.I almost wonder if when I opened the door for her earlier—and she looked at me in confusion—it could have been the first time anyone has showed her that courtesy.
That can’t possibly be right, can it?
“Do you need anything from town before we head back, Emma?”
She shakes her head.“No, thank you, Finn.”
I’m damn glad she’s dropped the mister.
When we get home, I tell Jasmine it’s time for her bath.When she’s done, she snuggles her head into my chest as I read to her.When her eyes grow heavy, I kiss her head, turn off the lamp, and head toward the door.
“Dad?”
“I thought you were asleep.”
“I really like Emma, and I want her to stay.”
“She’s very nice.Good night, sweetie.”
“Dad?”
“Yeah?”
“Thank you for running after her, like in the movies.”
CHAPTER 21
Emma
I wake up before dawn, back in this wonderful bed where I’m safe, warm, and hugged tight in fancy linens.There’s no reason for me to be up this early, but I can’t sleep, no matter how comfortable I may be.
It’s the knowledge that Finn is just down the hall.I counted last night—it’s exactly fourteen steps from his bedroom door to mine, at least with my short legs.It’s probably a lot less for him.
He’s one of the tallest men I’ve ever seen in person.He’s the biggest man and the most handsome one too.And the kindest.
It’s fourteen steps I’ll never take.Of course I won’t.But as I lie here in the dark, the silence of this big house wrapped like a cocoon around me, I hope against hope that one dayhemight.
Someday.Maybe.
I let go with a deep sigh.
It’s a miracle I’m here, and I know it.I did not expect any apology, let alone the sincere and humble one I received with words likethis is all on me, andyou did nothing wrong, andgive me another chance…
