A sharp twinge of pain filled Jake’s chest for Emily’s sake. He sighed. “That’s probably a good call. I’m not sure she could handle that kind of news right now. I doubt it would have helped trigger her memory anyway.”
Robert shrugged. “Who knows. Either way, I’m not sure this was the right time.” Robert climbed in his truck, started it, and rolled down the window. “On the bright side, Little Brother, I’ve determined for certain there’s no husband.” He winked at Jake. “Take care of your pretty little cub.” He put the vehicle in reverse in time to back away from the punch Jake itched to throw through the open window. Accelerating, Robert called out the window, “Rawr.”
Jake scowled at the back of Robert’s Tahoe, resisting the urge to pick up a rock and throw it at the back window. His brother never tired of teasing and goading him. Sometimes, Jake gave in and enjoyed the fight; other times, he didn’t give Robert the satisfaction. Not reacting when Robert expected him to was his own way of goading his big brother.
As he returned to the house, a small smile lifted his lips. It shouldn’t please him that Emily had no significant other, but it did.
Chapter 8
Faith placed a pill and glass of water on the table beside Emily’s plate. “You should try to eat a little more before you take your pain pill this morning.”
Emily sat alone at the kitchen table. Everyone had long since eaten breakfast by the time she’d awakened, and Faith had been hovering ever since. She’d wanted to bring Emily breakfast in bed, but Emily insisted on getting up. She hated being an invalid. It was bad enough she needed help dressing, she didn’t enjoy having Faith wait on her too.
She pushed her plate away, a half-eaten waffle remaining. It tasted delicious, but her appetite had dissipated. Not knowing who she was and what had robbed her of her memory left a perpetual knot in her stomach.
“I don’t want to take another pill yet.”
“Your body needs rest, and it can’t rest if you’re fighting pain.” Faith gave her a no-nonsense look.
Emily glanced at Jake, who leaned against the sink holding a glass of water. She might need his help to avoid Faith’s smothering.
He looked like he’d put in a day’s work already, yet he still caused a strange flutter in her stomach.
“Can I take ibuprofen this time?” She looked at the pain pill on the table. “Those pills make me so sluggish. I’ll never remember if I can’t think straight.”
Faith frowned. “You can’t force the memories to return. You know that, right?”
Emily nodded.
Faith grabbed a bottle of ibuprofen from the kitchen cabinet and laid some pills in front of Emily.
She really didn’t want to take these either, but she knew she’d be miserable if she let the pain get out of control.
After swallowing the pills, she asked, “Could I sit outside? I’d like to enjoy the fresh air for a while.”
Lottie mumbled something about fertilizer and fresh air as she wiped the counter, making Jake chuckle.
Faith ignored them and gave Emily a stern look. Finally, she sighed. “Okay. Jake, please move the lounge chair to the front porch. The back deck doesn’t have much shade this time of day.”
Jake set his glass on the counter. “Yes, ma’am.”
“That’s not necessary. I can sit on...” Emily’s words died off when Faith shot her a hard look, eyebrows raised, hands on her hips.
No wonder Robert and Jake didn’t argue with their mother.Faith looked prepared to scold Emily and send her to her room. That was the last place Emily wanted to go.
She looked at Jake, who smiled and gave an almost imperceptible shake of his head.
Faith dropped her hands from her hips. “It’s a lovely day. I’ll get my book and join you on the front porch.”
This time, the look she shot Jake was a plea for help. Emily respected Faith and she loved her for her hospitality, but the woman liked to talk, and Emily desperately needed quiet.
Jake cleared his throat. “Mom, I’m sure Emily will be fine resting on the front porch. Alone.”
“What if she needs something?”
“I’ve got a mountain of paperwork to do in my office. I’ll keep an eye on her.”
Faith exchanged a surprised look with Lottie, then her gaze zeroed in on Jake. “Since when do you voluntarily do the paperwork?” Just as Jake looked like he was about to squirm under his mother’s scrutiny, Faith smiled. “Actually, I’ve been itching to go for a ride. I’ll leave Emily in your capable hands, then.” Giving Lottie a quick wink, she added, “I should change into something more suitable for riding though.”
