Faith and Lottie burst out laughing. Emily smiled, unable to help herself.
“I don’t know why her kids haven’t taken her license away,” Faith said. “She’s the scariest driver on the roads,”
“She can hardly see over the dash,” Lottie added.
Robert gave his mom a stern look. “Some moms are stubborn and don’t take ‘no’ for an answer.”
Faith pointed her finger at him. “Robert Blake Winters don’t you dare sass me. I can handle a gun better blindfolded than senile Lila Cooper can drive a car.”
Emily smiled again as Robert’s ears turned red, and he ducked his head. She’d heard enough whispers among Lottie, Faith, and Robert this morning to know Robert had spent the night here because there had been a late-night prowler.
And though the news, on top of her brother’s death, made her already heavy heart heavier, Emily loved the life and energy in the house this morning. She needed distraction and entertainment.
Then it dawned on her, she would never share breakfast with Cameron again, like she’d done almost every Saturday since their dad’s death. She would never again experience the joy and fun of family. Tears filled her eyes, and she lowered her chin to blink them away. She couldn’t believe she could still cry after all the tears she’d shed yesterday.
Her gaze drifted to the mudroom door as Jake and Daniel came in. They were both very sweaty and looked especially buff this morning. Jake wore a plain gray t-shirt that hugged his torso and loose basketball shorts. Besides jeans, Emily had only ever seen Jake in a pair of dress slacks.
The man looked good, no matter what he wore. Sweat and all.
Jake paused on his way to the sink and made eye contact with her. She looked away, embarrassed that he’d caught her staring at his shoulders, again. Her stomach rolled. She’d eaten little, but what she had eaten threatened to come up. How could she admire a man moments after lamenting that she’d never see her brother again?
I’m the worst sister ever.
Thoughts of turning to Trent, her brother’s best friend, for comfort after her father’s death, and where that had led, filled her mind. There were some things she wished she hadn’t remembered.
One after another, Faith, Lottie, and Robert all stood and took their empty plates to the sink. After washing up, Daniel sat at the bar where Robert engaged him in conversation, and Jake sat across from Emily.
She studied her uneaten food. With her emotions so raw, she felt exposed.
Her face warmed as she remembered the tears she cried in Jake’s arms yesterday. She should feel embarrassed, but mostly she felt grateful. Having him close had been so comforting, but had she taken advantage of his compassion?
“Emily.”
Jake’s voice was soft, like a caress. He may as well have reached out and stroked her cheek.
She met his eyes, so full of tenderness. It was almost her undoing. She wanted him to wrap her in his arms and hold her until she didn’t hurt anymore. Tell her it would all be okay. She had to look away again.
“How can I help you make it through this day?”
Emily caught her breath.
Wow.Where had Jake learned such empathy? Faith was kind and compassionate, but there was something about Jake that made him... special.
Emily closed her eyes and took several deep breaths, trying to quell the emotions that pummeled her. Attraction. Loneliness. Grief. Pain. Fear.
It was all too much. She’d been through this before, and she didn’t think she could do it again.
“I assume you’ve recovered your full memory?” When she nodded, he said, “You probably have a list of people you need to call. Would you like some help?”
She would love to hand him a list of names and let him shoulder that burden, but she couldn’t do that. No. This was something she needed to do herself, for Cameron.
“Or maybe some moral support?” Jake added when she didn’t answer.
“Thank you, Jake. That’s very kind of you.”
“You’re welcome to use my office.” Jake squeezed her hand that lay on the table. “I’m here, Em. Anything you need... I’m here for you.”
Emily nodded. She didn’t dare speak for fear she would start crying again.
