Captured Heart (A Garrett's Point Novel) (8 page)

“Jack and I need to sort some details out. I should know more when we get together Thursday. In the meantime, please tell the girls the same for me, okay?” Emma pleaded.

“Yeah, sure. Anything, Em. Just call if you need us before then. Promise?”

“Pinky Promise.” Emma said holding up her pinky and intertwining it with Kat’s to seal the deal.

“Ready?” Jack asked behind Emma. When she turned Jack held Olivia in his arms, and she was licking an ice cream cone.

“You’re going to let her eat that in your car?” surprised, Emma asked.

“Sure. It’s not a big deal.”

Hmm. Either he truly had no clue the mess that was about to be made, or he was trying to earn brownie points with Olivia. Either way it was still going to be a mess.

They headed out with Melanie, Kathryn and Grady watching along with a diner full of locals. Everyone loved having something to talk about, especially a tragedy.

“I’m not sure I like that guy.” Grady said. “I think he’s taking advantage of Emma.”

“What? I’ll cut off his nu…” Grady stopped Kathryn before she could finish the unlady-like statement by placing a finger over her lips.

“I meant that he doesn’t appreciate all that she is doing during this situation, Kathryn.”

Kathryn attempted to bite his finger, but Grady anticipated her reaction and moved away his appendage in time before she could cause any bodily damage.

“You do know it’s a crime to assault an officer, don’t you?” Grady asked, all the while smirking down at her. She reached just to the top of his chin.

“Smart Ass.” was her reply. Grady chuckled. Kathryn Gilbert was always trying to get under his skin. She succeeded most days. It was a treat to be the one getting under hers for a change.

“There is definitely something more than just losing Jeff and Dana going on.” Melanie spoke up beside Kathryn, her elbows propped up on the counter watching Emma and Jack leave.

“What do you mean before I jump to conclusions?” Kathryn asked.

“I know Em, and something happened between them last night, at least more than she’s saying at this point.”

“What about last night? Come on. Is he a sleaze ball? Does Grady need to go rough him up? Hell, I’ll go. He doesn’t look that tough to be honest.”

“Kathryn if you even attempt to confront Jack, I’ll…”

“Geez, if you two would put a cork in it for a minute…” Melanie waited for them to pipe down and listen.

“Emma said they talked last night, but she turned bright red head to toe when she was trying to tell me about it. She changed subjects to detour the conversation. So, yes, something else may have sparked is all I’m saying.”

“That’s not a good thing is it?” asked Kathryn unsure herself.

“By the look on both of their faces after meeting with the attorney, I don’t think they got the news they were expecting. All I know is they are going to need our support, not our judgment. We just need to pay close attention and make sure Emma doesn’t try and take this on by herself.” Melanie turned back to the kitchen as a bell rang signalling orders up.

“I’ve got work to do. I’ll talk to you guys later. Enjoy your lunches.” And she was off.

Kathryn eyed Grady and elbowed him in the side. “Why do I sit with you at lunch?”

Grady just chuckled once again and picked up his hamburger. He had a feeling he knew why, but neither one of them was ready to talk about it.

Back at the house Jack had to spend thirty minutes cleaning ice cream out of his leather seats while Emma took Olivia inside to clean her up. Looking at him over the rooftop of the car, she couldn’t help but smile, although he did not return it.

“Don’t even say it.” He warned, waiting for the “I told you so.”

Without mouthing a word, she walked Olivia upstairs to get changed.

She left Olivia reading in her room, one of her latest gifts from the Book Nook. She found Jack in the kitchen washing his hands.

“Jack, we really need to talk, don’t you think?” she approached him gently.

He scowled at her as he dried his hands. “I have some calls I need to make and files to attend to. We’ll talk later.”

Well, thought Emma. Actually the first word that came to mind was “jerk”. Okay, maybe not a very mature word, but in her line of work, she tended to avoid the more impactful derogatoriness.

She didn’t understand why he was reacting this way. One minute he’s thanking her and holding her hand, the next he’s behaving like she has the plague and can’t stand to be near her. They certainly weren’t going to come to any resolutions by not speaking to one another.

Fine. She’d give him some space, but they were having this discussion tonight whether he wanted to or not. Humph. She even tapped her little foot for her own personal emphasis.

She decided now would be a perfect time to read Dana’s letter. Knowing this was going to be difficult, she grabbed a handful of tissues and stuck them in her sweater pocket. Spring was in the air, but the air was still chilly.

Jack had disappeared into the back office room to use the computer and make calls. She went upstairs to let Olivia know she would be outside for a little while and that Uncle Jack was downstairs in the office if she needed anything.

Passing the hall toward the office as she made her way back to the kitchen, she hesitated. Should she let him know where she was going? No. She didn’t have to account her whereabouts to him. It’s not like it would matter to him anyway.

She knew her thought process sounded childish even to her own ears, but she wasn’t one hundred percent rational at the moment either. Heading out the kitchen French doors, down the patio steps, Tucker nudged her leg. Of course you’re coming along, ole friend. They followed the path to the gate that led off the property and to the path beside the river. She knew just the place to stop and read the letter. It was one of her favorite spots.

It was secluded not far from the property. It was a huge Oak tree with a large rock beside it. She loved it here. She and Olivia would stop here on their walks. Emma would relax against the tree while Olivia climbed up on the rock and look out over the water.

Arriving at her spot, she sat and made herself comfortable with Tucker lying down beside her, his head nestled in her lap.

Her hands shook as she unsealed the envelope. She pulled out purple monogrammed note paper with Dana’s initials on it. Purple had been Dana’s favorite color. She smelled the paper. It smelled like Dana’s perfume.

She felt the tears already welling up inside.
Help me, D.
she thought.
I don’t know if I can do this.
Just then an overwhelming feeling of peace filled her as the wind blew around her.
Thanks, D.

Leaning back against the strong Oak for support, she began to read.

Dearest Emma,

I don’t really know where to begin. You would only be reading this if something has happened to Jeff and me. The thought of that I cannot put into words when it means that we have left Olivia behind. Being a parent means I also need to think about long term plans in the event something were to happen to us. Jeff and I put our will together when Olivia was just a year old. I don’t have to explain to you that she is our entire universe.

By now Allen would have explained our will. It may seem strange to you that we have left joint custody to you and Jack. Emma, know there isn’t anyone, including my brother, that I trust more with Olivia’s wellbeing than I do you. I know you love her unconditionally. If I can’t be there to do that, I need for you to do it for me.

Jack is her Uncle, and I love my brother. I don’t want her to lose sight of family throughout this. He will need your patience and grace to help him transition into the role of basically a new parent. He has no idea what to do, but I know he will do the right thing. I know eventually he will want to. He will be scared, which means he will be grouchy.

He’s stubborn and laser focused, but he has a large capacity to love. He’s just closed the door on it after mom and dad died, focusing all his energy on his work.

You have the capacity to unlock that door, Em. I need you to.

My suggestion would be to handle him as you do your students. Trust me on this one.

The two of you will be exactly what Olivia needs. Remember that. I trust you explicitly.

The details will be sticky I know, especially if Jack is still climbing his never-ending career ladder. I need Jack to stay involved in Olivia’s life. If he is deemed joint custodian, he has to be. He needs Olivia just as much as she needs him. He doesn’t realize it yet, unless by some miracle cupid has finally struck and turned things around. Somehow I doubt it.

The house. You belong in that house if we can’t be there. I wouldn’t want anyone else to have it. I know you will cherish it just as much as I did.

Enjoy it. Live in it. Love in it. Laugh in it. Just live! Obviously we are not promised tomorrow. Stop taking time for granted and make your dreams come true. You know what I’m talking about.

I would prefer Olivia stay and grow up in Garrett’s Point. I guess that is a decision the two of you will have to make.

Take time and don’t jump to any decisions between the two of you. Get to know one another better for Olivia’s sake.

Thank You for being my friend, my sister and my child’s God parent. Jeff and I both know you and Jack are the right ones to raise Olivia.

Do me a small favor though. Don’t let her forget us. Remind her often of how much we loved our princess.

Remember, the white horse isn’t necessary to find your knight. I found mine, and he was a lawyer to boot.

I love you, Em. I’m here. Just talk to me when you need to.

Dana

Emma hadn’t even felt the tears streaming down her face as she read the letter. She read it three more times before she folded it back up and placed it in her pocket.

Dana, I’m not sure I’m the person you gave me credit for being.
She pulled the tissue out of her sweater pocket, wiping away her tears. Suddenly she was so very tired. She would just rest here for a few minutes before she went back.

Chapter Eight

Where in the devil had the woman gone?
Olivia had come down to the office at half past five wanting something to eat. When he’d asked where Emma was, Olivia had informed him that she’d gone for a walk when they had come home. That was over four hours ago.

Just what he needed to contend with -  a search party for Emma. He had work to do, and on top of that he was still really upset with his sister and felt guilty about it, but damn it! How could she put him in this situation? How was this possibly going to play out? If he was really going to be a full time guardian, then he needed to be here or take Olivia to Richmond. His sister wanted her to stay here in her home, which was now Emma’s home.

How in the hell was that supposed to work? Damn it. This was a mess.

Just then the doorbell rang.
Great. More company.

He swung open the door and there stood a beautiful blonde woman dressed to the nines in a suave business suit. He’d seen plenty in the courthouse. This one looked slightly familiar.

“Can I help you?” he asked, trying not to growl.

“Hi, Jack. I’m Sydney Garrett, Emma’s friend. We met yesterday, although you probably don’t remember me with all the people you did meet.” Sydney extended her hand in greeting, which Jack automatically shook. Strong grip. Confident woman.

“I was stopping by to chat with Emma for a few minutes if that’s alright.” she questioned.

“Actually, Emma went for a walk several hours ago and hasn’t returned. I was just going to go look for her.” Jack couldn’t keep the irritation from his voice. “Your timing is perfect. Would you mind waiting here with Olivia while I walk down by the river? Just want to make sure she didn’t run into any trouble.”