Page 106 of Key West Homecoming

“I was reading Gloria’s notebook. I found some things about me in it, and I wanted to tell you.”

“What did it say?”

Emma told him about the phone call Gloria had made while Emma was in a meeting and about the envelopes beside the sugar bowl with things Gloria wanted to tell her.

Jake listened without interrupting.

“When I finished talking to Edmund, I almost called you.”

“But you didn’t.”

“No.”

“Why?”

Emma smiled faintly.

“I’m still working that out.”

Jake nodded.

He didn’t push.

That might have been the thing she liked most about him.

Emma looked toward the cottage again. The pergola posts stood in the back garden, two finished and two still waiting for the crosspieces. The herbs Gloria had loved moved slightly in the afternoon breeze.

Arthur had lied to Gloria and kept her away from this place. He had lied to Emma and nearly sold it before she knew enough to stop him.

Somehow, in the middle of all of that, Emma had met Jake.

She wasn’t ready to decide what that meant.

For now, sitting beside him was enough.

CHAPTER 17

Emma came back with two takeout containers from a Cuban place on Simonton that Marisol had recommended. Ropa vieja, yellow rice, sweet plantains and black beans filled the paper bag, along with two small cups of flan she'd bought because the woman behind the counter had held them up and Emma hadn't been able to say no.

Jake was sitting on the porch step when she came through the gate. He'd washed the drill dust from his hands and changed his shirt, and when he saw the bag tucked beneath her arm, he stood.

“You brought dinner.”

“Don't get excited. I didn't cook it.”

“From where?”

“A place on Simonton that Marisol swore by.”

“Was she right?”

“I haven't tried it yet.”

“Then we'll find out together.”

Jake pulled a chair out from the small table on the porch.

“What would you like to drink?”