Page 48 of The Emma Special

James rested his forehead on the steering wheel and closed his eyes. “Lord, how can I help her? How can I make her trust me so she’ll talk to me?”

It wasn’t exactly an elegant prayer, but he’d always believed in getting to the point when talking to the Creator of the universe. No legal jargon required.

As he neared the curb in front of Brews and Books, the pack of girls split in three other directions with Daniel walking with Katie. James leaned across the cab and popped open the passenger door.

Emma let out a long sigh as soon as she settled in the seat. “Whew. All in a day’s work.”

James merged back onto the main road. “What do you mean?”

“Scheming Katie and Daniel into the same car.” Emma’s eyebrows lifted as if to say, “Duh.”

James looked over his shoulder to where Daniel and Katie had disappeared together. “Really? Why?”

“Because my girl was interested,” Emma explained as she buckled her seatbelt.

Wow. James had missed that one. “Mmm. I guess I wasn’t paying attention.”

Of course he hadn’t been watching Daniel. James had been too busy worrying about Emma and her knee. He’d watched her the entire time they’d been in Brews and Books, looking for signs of pain.

“They’re so much alike.” Emma released a giggle that surprised him. “Well, from what I can tell about Daniel so far. Katie is a little more serious, but she used to love to let loose and have fun. Maybe Daniel could remind her that life doesn’t have to be all about work just because we’re in our twenties.”

Life doesn’t have to be all about work? How many times had James been chastised for the same thing? Daniel did his best to get James out of the office, but there was a block somewhere in his mind that said James had to work hard in his twenties to enjoy life in his thirties and beyond. Especially when he was trapped between Harrison, who was immersed in his marital woes, and Garrett, who flushed every penny that entered his vision.

Was that what Emma was showing him? He was like neither of his brothers, nor was he his dad. Who was he?

Emma’s phone rang to the tune of “Mamma Mia” by ABBA.

She fumbled for her purse. “I’m so sorry. I need to take this.”

“No problem.”

Emma lifted the phone to her ear and cleared her throat. “Hello.”

James focused on the road heading out of town as Emma listened intently to the person on the other end of the call.

“It’s going well. One of the attorneys won a case today.” She rubbed the hem of her blouse between her finger and thumb. “I can’t tell you about the case. That’s confidential.”

Emma’s shoulders hunched forward as she whispered, “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to be disrespectful.”

Her chin continued to sink toward her chest as the call went on. “I’m not working tonight. I’m on my way to The Honky Fish with some friends. No, I don’t intend to stay out late. Yes, ma’am. Okay. I⁠—”

Emma held the phone in front of her. The call had dropped.

“Everything okay?” James asked.

Emma tucked the phone into her purse. “Oh, yeah. My mom is upset because I didn’t have any work planned for tonight.”

“Work?” She’d worked all day. Why would she need to work in the evening too?

“I usually have a babysitting job or take people’s dogs out when they’re traveling.”

“You need a rest this evening. I doubt you’ll be tearin’ up the dance floor tonight.” He gestured to her extended knee.

“Not toni⁠—”

James’s phone rang through the car speakers, and his mom’s name lit up on the dash screen. “Sorry. Guess it’s my turn. Do you mind if I take this?”

“Of course not. Go right ahead.”