“I know, but it isn’t necessary.”
Emma leaned against the desk. “I visited Barbara on my way here. Jesse was his usual happy self. You wouldn’t know he’d spent a few days in the hospital.”
“I did the same thing an hour ago. I’m glad Zac was here to help him.”
“Talking about Zac…” Emma looked over her shoulder. “Before the students arrive, tell me about your date. Megan said you went on a hot air balloon ride.”
With a groan, Willow sat down. “Please tell me you’re the only person Megan told.”
“Brooke and Kathleen were there, too. We were wrapping Easter eggs in Sweet Treats and one thing led to another.”
“Which led to my date with Zac?”
“Don’t be annoyed,” Emma said with a sigh. “Hearing about everyone else’s happy ever afters is the highlight of my week. The chance of anyone taking me on a date is practically zilch.”
“That’s not true. If the men of Sapphire Bay are too blind to see what a wonderful person you are, then they’re not worth dating.”
“It’s not the men that are the problem.” Emma sat down and hugged her clipboard to her chest. “Dylan and Molly have been asking about their dad again.”
Willow rubbed her friend’s arm. “What did you tell them?”
“The same thing I always do—that he loves them very much, but he had to work in another city.”
It was bad enough that Emma’s husband had disappeared out of her life when the twins were a few months old. It was a whole lot worse knowing he’d never bothered to stay in contact with them. “Do you think he’ll ever want to see Dylan and Molly?”
Emma bit her bottom lip. “I know this sounds terrible, but I hope not. He’s never wanted to be part of their lives. Even when I was pregnant, he missed all the scans and doctor appointments. I’m surprised he stayed as long as he did.”
“Are you still sending him photos of the twins?”
“Not anymore. The last set came back unopened. I tried calling him, but no one answered. Either he doesn’t want to talk to me or he’s living somewhere else.”
“Maybe one day he’ll realize how much he gave up when he left.”
“I doubt it. But that doesn’t stop Dylan and Molly from wanting to see him.”
Willow didn’t know what to say to make her friend feel better. Emma had been through so much in the last few years, it was a wonder she could still smile. “You’ve done everything you can to encourage your ex-husband to be part of the twins’ lives. When they’re older, they’ll understand.”
“I hope so. Tell me about Zac. It will take my mind off my runaway ex-husband.”
“After the hot air balloon ride, we had a picnic dinner beside Flathead Lake.” Willow picked up her camera and flicked through the images. “There were tiny lights bobbing in the water and memory bags lined the boardwalk.”
Emma frowned. “What’s a memory bag?”
“I’ll show you.” Willow found the photos she’d taken. “The outside of each white paper bag was decorated with pictures and words that celebrated someone’s life. An LED candle lit the bag from the inside. By the time we arrived at the lake, it was pitch black. From a distance, the bags looked like stars that had fallen from the sky.”
Emma’s fingertips touched the screen. “They’re beautiful. What did Zac think of the festival?”
“He was impressed. I don’t think he realized how much the towns around Flathead Lake have changed.”
“Is that a good thing?”
Willow placed the camera on the desk. “I think so. Without the businesses that have opened in Sapphire Bay and the events we’re organizing, families wouldn’t consider moving here. And if our population wasn’t increasing, Zac wouldn’t have a reason to take over from Doc Reilly.”
“Youcould be all the reason he needs.”
A sick feeling settled in the pit of Willow’s stomach. “What if that’s not enough? I’m worried he’ll change his mind and go back to Afghanistan.”
Emma gave Willow a quick hug. “Do you want my advice?”
