And he had.
She should regret it, but she didn’t.
Then she remembered his words, “I’m not that strong, at least not where you’re concerned,” and the guilt hit her. Even after Jake had admitted what a temptation she was, she’d begged him to stay. She used Jake to help her feel better, like she’d done with Trent after her father’s death.
How long did he stay with me?
She recalled his arms tightening around her when she’d had another nightmare. His comforting embrace had calmed her, and she’d been able slip back into a peaceful slumber.
A soft knock sounded on her door, followed by Faith poking her head in. Emily swiped at the remaining tears on her cheeks and sat up. Faith stepped into the room and studied Emily.
“Oh, dear.” Faith’s voice was full of compassion. “Having a tough morning already?” She smoothed Emily’s hair back.
Faith’s concern brought a fresh wave of tears. Jake gets it from his mom all right. Emily couldn’t answer—she simply shrugged and blinked away the tears.
“I wish there was something I could say or do to take away your pain. But I’m afraid it’s going to take time.”
Time? The way Emily felt now, she didn’t think time could heal her broken heart. Time wouldn’t bring back her brother or her father. It had never brought back her mother.
Of course, her mother’s death had been different. She’d seen her mother deteriorate right before her eyes. She’d begged God to take her mother so she wouldn’t have to suffer anymore. But the revelation that her father had been killed and to have witnessed her brother’s murder... She couldn’t see how time would help that.
Remembering how she’d felt in Jake’s arm last night, she focused on the comfort his embrace gave her. She’d felt like everything would somehow be all right. It was ridiculous to think Jake’s embrace could fix everything with her world, but somehow, it did.
If only for a little while.
But it couldn’t last. A man’s embrace when she was grieving was comforting, but it carried with it a whole slew of problems.
Like attraction.
Attraction led to relationships and relationships led to commitments. And Emily was not in a good emotional state to make a commitment.
Though Emily didn’t feel like getting out of bed, didn’t feel like eating breakfast, didn’t feel like facing anyone, she let Faith persuade her to get dressed.
A short time later, Emily sat at the kitchen table, having only eaten a few bites of her omelet before losing her appetite. Joe would not be happy with her.
Faith and Lottie had eaten with her, but they had finished, and Faith now loaded the dishwasher while conversing with Lottie. Emily heard the door in the mudroom on the far side of the kitchen open, and her heart skipped a beat.
Would Jake walk through the doorway or would it be Zane or Daniel? She wasn’t sure how to act after last night’s kiss. How long had he stayed in her bed? Would he regret staying with her, kissing her?
Jake stepped through the doorway and Emily’s breath caught in her throat. His steps faltered when he saw her sitting at the table. Then a slow smile spread across his face.
“Have a seat, Jake,” Lottie said. “I’ll bring you a plate.”
Jake stopped to wash his hands, then he sat across from Emily. She couldn’t meet his eyes. She was glad to see him, but she should never have made him kiss her and stay with her last night.
“Emily.” Jake’s voice was low.
She met his gaze.
Jake studied her face. “You look like you’ve had a rough morning.”
If she didn’t feel so guilty, she would take offense to his comment. “How long did you stay with me?” She kept her voice low, not wanting his mother and Lottie to hear.
Jake glanced over his shoulder before answering. “A heck of a lot longer than my mother would approve of.” Then a slow smile spread over his face, and he winked at her. “But not as long as I would have liked.”
“Okay, you two,” Faith said, smiling as she and Lottie walked past on their way out of the kitchen. “Lottie and I will leave so you don’t have to whisper.”
Heat filled Emily’s cheeks.
