But if I want to win the long game, I have to pay attention to Emma’s needs. And right now, she needs to catch her breath.
I held her that night, but the following day I called Sean to spar again.
What she’d told me, broke me.
He understood my anger, and took me out for a beer again afterward to talk.
I’m not sure what I would’ve done without him because this wasn’t anything I felt I could share with Chloe.
Noah’s popped in from time to time. He doesn’t talk about his mother and I don’t ask. I assume she’s told the kids that we’re taking a break, but he’s not treating me like the enemy so I’m sure he knows it’s mutual.
But I’m miserable without her.
Tap, tap, tap.
I look up at the knock on the door.
“Come in.”
My office door opens and Noah walks in. I stand, the frown on his face making my heart thud.
What’s happened?
“Noah? What’s going on.”
“I needed to talk to you.”
I check my watch. “It’s nearly time for me to go home. Want to head out for a beer?”
He shakes his head. “No. I can’t be long. I just popped out to pick up something for dinner.”
Making my way around my desk, I lean against it. “What’s up?”
He fixes his worried gaze on me. “Grandad has been around again and threatening her.”
Anger flares in me. All those years ago when he decided to move his family away, I was sixteen. I couldn’t stick up for Emma back then, but I can now.
“Threatening her with what?”
Noah shrugs. “He’s saying they have proof that Malcolm wanted to leave everything to the church because he was remorseful he didn’t do it when he was supposed to. And he’s talking about Mum being unfit.”
“What?”
“He’s full of it, but they have money for lawyers and I’m worried that they’ll harass her. They think she’s alone.”
My heart thuds. “Look, I love your mother, but she’s made it clear that she needs space from me.”
“That was before Grandad turned up.” Bailey’s voice carries from the door.
I look toward her. The three of them stand in the doorway, Jason at the front.
“I thought you guys were going to stay in the car,” Noah says.
Bailey snorts. “We miss Caleb. As if we’re going to listen to you.”
Noah rolls his eyes and I chuckle. There might be nearly twenty years spanning the siblings, but they’re so close. It’s so good to see.
“Dad.”
