“I’ll take your word for it,” he said in a husky voice, making another shiver of awareness skitter down her spine.
I am so in over my head.
Chapter 31
Jake sat beside Emily facing Cameron’s casket. His heart hurt for her as silent tears rolled down her cheeks. He wasn’t sure she’d welcome his arm around her in front of Cameron’s friends, but he ached to pull her close. Finally, he reached out and clasped her hand.
She didn’t look at him, but she squeezed his hand with a fierceness that surprised him.
His mother, on Emily’s left, put an arm around her shoulders. Jake looked around at the crowd of Cameron’s closest friends and co-workers, their grief written on their faces. Emily had arranged a simple graveside service because Cameron hated funerals.
Jake appreciated the support of his family. Not only had his mother and Robert come, Zane, Lottie, and Daniel were here, as well as Ben and Amy. Uncle James had brought Aunt Hope. He wasn’t sure Hope had ever met Emily, but he was grateful she’d come.
Robert stood, in his Sheriff’s uniform, off to Jake’s left. He knew Jake worried Emily might still be in danger, so he’d come to the funeral armed. Robert’s presence gave Jake some piece of mind.
Concern for Emily consumed him. She’d been quiet and withdrawn the last few days. Not pushing him away, but not seeking him out either. She waited for him at mealtimes, making sure he saw her eat, though he didn’t think she ate nearly enough. At least she tried. She’d even talked to Joe a couple of times, but Jake wished he could do more for her.
Following the service, Jake was about to step away—so Cameron’s friends could pay their condolences—when Emily grasped his hand again. Warmth flooded him. That Emily wanted him by her side meant the world to him.
He stood close enough for her to lean against him, so she wouldn’t need to support herself with her crutches, enabling her to return the hugs from Cameron’s friends. She introduced Jake to many of them since everyone eyed him with curiosity.
“Joe—” Emily’s voice caught, and tears clung to her lashes.
An older, gray-haired man stepped up and wrapped his arms around Emily, and she clung to him. When Emily finally released Joe, the plump, silver-haired woman beside him embraced her.
“Jake, I’d like you to meet Dr. Joseph Lewis and his wife, Beth.” Jake extended his hand as he and Joe shared a meaningful look. Joe looked exactly as Jake had pictured him. Like a loving, caring father.
Joe squeezed Jake’s hand. “Thank you for taking such good care of our Emily.”
Jake nodded. He bit back the wordsit was my pleasure. They wouldn’t sound appropriate. Not with everything Emily had been through.
The couple talked to Emily for a few minutes, then Beth said, “Remember Em, you’re always welcome to come stay with us.”
“Thank you, Beth. I may take you up on that. I’m not sure I’m ready to go home yet.”
Something gripped Jake’s chest.
Of course, Emily would want to go home or return to Spokane at least. She needed more time to heal, physically and emotionally, but from the way she’d been distancing herself from him, he had a feeling she didn’t want his help anymore.
She’ll leave the ranch.The vice gripping his chest tightened.
Would she ever come back?
As the Lewises moved away, a blond with a high-pitched voice approached Emily followed by several of Cameron’s co-workers. Then, Emily grabbed his hand and gave it a quick squeeze before releasing it again to greet the tall good-looking blond man who approached next.
Jake put a steadying hand on her low back.
“Emily, I’m so sorry.” The man wrapped Emily in an embrace that caused Jake to have to lean away.
Emily tensed, and Jake itched to push the man away. Finally, the blond released her, and his eyes rested on Jake.
“Thank you for coming, Trent,” Emily said.
So, this is Trent.What was Emily’s history with the man, and why did it make her so tense?
“Aren’t you going to introduce us?” The blond asked, still sizing up Jake.
“Trent, I’d like you to meet Jake Winters. Jake, this is Trent Olsen. He’s been my brother’s best friend since before I can remember.”
