Page 75 of Key West Homecoming

He set the glass down.

Emma looked at him.

“Edmund?”

“Yes?”

“I’m so glad she had you.”

He didn’t answer right away.

When he did, his voice was quieter. “She was the best thing that happened to me. I’ve been hoping to hear some version of that from you.”

“I mean it.”

“I know you do.”

Emma felt her eyes fill and didn’t bother pretending they hadn’t.

She thought of Gloria sitting beside this man on trains to Providence, laughing over books and drinking coffee every afternoon. She thought of the three trips to Key West when Gloria had wanted to go home and couldn’t, and of Edmund carrying her letter through the year since she died because he had promised to put it into Emma’s hands himself.

“I wish I’d known about you sooner.”

“So do I.”

Emma wiped beneath one eye.

“But I’m glad I know now.”

Edmund smiled.

“Me too.”

Emma stood when it seemed time to leave, and Edmund stood with her. She waited while he steadied himself against the arm of the chair, then kissed his cheek.

He looked surprised.

Emma smiled.

“Thank you for keeping your promise to her.”

“It took me longer than I intended.”

“You kept it, and that’s what counts.”

His eyes filled again.

“Yes,” he said. “I suppose it does.”

Rebecca appeared in the doorway as though she’d been waiting for the sound of chairs moving.

“I’ll walk you out.”

Emma held the envelope against her as Rebecca led her through the house.

At the front door, Rebecca touched her arm.

“He needed this,” she said. “Thank you for coming.”