As I pulled out in my friend’s truck, heading toward home, I thought about the warning Thomas had been trying to give me. Whatever the reasoning behind this incident, one thing I knew for sure was it was no accident. Someone wanted me dead and I had two problems I needed to figure out to stop them, who they were, and why they wanted me off the mortal coil. The biggest problem was the fact that I had no idea where to start.
Chapter Ten
Emma
Ahh, it was nice to be home. Even though home was just a bedroom to myself in my parents’ house, which now belonged to Henry and me. It still felt amazing to be here. There was something inherently relaxing about my parents' place. I couldn't say it was that I'd always felt safe here, though I had...It was something else, something that made me wonder if all the love that we felt for each other as a family had seeped into the walls, just like all the sadness I'd felt in my marriage had soaked into the old house.
It had taken three weeks to get everything taken care of. The house sold the day we put it on the market. The agent had expected it. I’d priced it to move, as well. And Rick had been cooperative, so everything lined up. I just hoped that the heavy feeling that Carol and the other ladies could sense didn't get transferred to the new owners somehow.
I’d used a moving company and separated out my things from his, sent his stuff to him and mine here. I still hadn’t unpacked the first box, but the downstairs and my room was full of them, plus a storage unit Henry had rented for me. I’d marked which boxes should come to the house and which needed to go to storage. All of Travis and Jacqueline's stuff had gone straight to storage since none of that was mine, and they said they'd take care of it when they got back. I’d donated alotof stuff, too. That had felt good, knowing someone would get some good use out of things I no longer needed.
I looked over at the manila envelope on the nightstand. It was thicker than I'd expected, filled to the brim with my divorce papers, signed and ready to deliver to my lawyer tomorrow. I just didn’t have the energy today after rolling into town. My girls had rented a car and gone back once we’d settled Rick. They hadn’t been able to stay all three weeks with me. I’d missed them. More than ever before if I was honest.
Every time I'd left home before it was exciting and I couldn't wait to get back to whatever it was I'd been doing before I left. Or I was stressed about all the work that needed to be done, which was honestly why my visits had become fewer and fewer. Over time it had become easier to FaceTime with Henry than come all the way out here. I think subconsciously I also remembered how happy and free I'd been here and that definitely hadn't been true of my married life, with the exception of Travis.
Henry had welcomed me back, though he had been on his way out to see Alice. The movers had dropped everything off the day before so it was just me and my stuff now. With the house all to myself the only thing I wanted right now though was a nap. When I woke up I'd make myself some dinner and have that and a glass of wine on the back deck as I listened to the waves crashing against the shore.
The evening sounded just about perfect, or would have if I'd have someone to share it with. It wasn't that I couldn't be alone, but I enjoyed the company of others. I wasn't one of those people that could hole themselves up in their house and exist on take out and TV. Not that there's anything wrong with that, it just wasn't me.
I loved being around my friends, chatting and laughing as we told stories and had adventures. Having Travis had been an adventure unlike any other, and I wouldn't change it for the world, but I was grateful to be where I was, with the friends I had, and finally knowing the truth about the world.
As I closed my eyes, I thought about saying goodbye to Travis. He and Jacqueline were in Paris now, excited and having the time of their lives. I was so glad they’d gotten this opportunity. Travis sent me pictures all throughout the day yesterday and in the early hours of the morning of things they were seeing and experiencing. I knew it was the early hours of the morning not only because of the time stamp, but because I'd been too excited to be free of my life in Springfield and had been up early driving. The time difference between us was going to take some getting used to.
I was jealous in some ways, though incredibly grateful they'd had this opportunity. I should have taken the chance when I was in college, but I was too head over heels for Rick to want to be away from him for a whole semester.
In a way, Travis and I were both experiencing a new world. Here I was, finally free. Free to be my own person, to grow and thrive without Rick hanging over me like a dark cloud.
The early afternoon sun was streaming in my window and I could hear life passing by outside along with the ocean in the distance as sleep began to drift over me, and I felt more relaxed than I had in ages, at least until my phone dinged. I grabbed it, because it was the special tone I’d set for Daniel, and rolled onto my back, holding my phone over my face as I read what he had to say.
Would you like to go to dinner? I saw your car in the driveway as I passed by today. I’d love to sit down and talk.
Talk, huh? What did that mean? I chuckled as my fingers flew over the screen.Oh, so now you’re stalking me?
His reply came quickly which made my heart do a little flip in my chest. The idea that he'd been waiting for my reply was sweet and not one I was going to dissuade myself of just yet.No! Not at all.
The dots that let me know he was typing appeared on the screen just under his text so I waited. My nervous heart beating rapidly in my chest at what he might say. A second reply came a minute later.I go past your house and cut through Harper St. to get to my house from town.
Poor guy. He thought I was really upset.I’m just messing with you. I’d love to have dinner. When?
Tonight. I’ll pick you up at 7pm.He replied quickly. He’d known I’d say yes, or at least suspected and had a plan. He wasn't asking where I wanted to go or being wishy-washy about things, and I appreciated that. Sometimes having someone just tell you the plan was all you needed. I trusted Daniel and I knew he wouldn't take me somewhere horrible.
It’s a date.
I let my arm fall back on to the bed and couldn't stop the giddy feeling that was growing inside me. I left my phone on the bed as I jumped up, my previous exhaustion forgotten in the excitement of the date. I brushed out my hair and thought about Daniel in high school versus Daniel now. He’d always been hot, but now he was… well, he was a bear. And not just a shifter. But besides his looks, he was protective and caring. And smart… and funny.
Okay, maybe I liked him a little. I took my time getting ready, and wondering what he would think of me now if he could see me back in high school. As I swiped on one more layer of mascara, I chuckled. Probably would’ve run screaming. That was averylong time ago.
A few hours later, the doorbell rang as I slipped on my sandals, so I turned and opened it.
He looked surprised, standing in front of me in a tee and jeans that had seen better days. “Oh, you look great.”
I looked down at the dress I’d slipped on. “Well, I try not to look like a cave troll when I go on a date.”
Daniel opened his mouth as though he was going to say something a few times and the realization that he hadn’t seen this as a date sank in. “This is just two friends going to talk, isn’t it?” I could hear the disappointment in my own voice, I just hoped he couldn't. I was freshly divorced, I probably wasn't even ready to date, yet... Daniel was, well, Daniel and I'd wanted this to be a date more than I'd thought.
With his eyes widening, Daniel held up his hands. “No, I’m perfectly happy to call this a date. I always want to go on a date with you, Emma.”
A warm little flame flickered to life in my heart. Well, that made me feel good. I stepped out onto the porch. “Okay, then, it’s a date.” Why not?
