PARKER TOOK THE hot pumpkin pie out of the oven and set it aside to cool. The scent alone made the day a little brighter. “Smell that, Nic? I’ve created a masterpiece. Again.”
Nicole sat at the table, knees bent and heels resting on the edge of the chair. Her phone was on the table instead of in her hands. For once. “Bragging a little, Dad?”
“Go easy on me,” he said with a laugh. “I don’t have that many specialties. Pumpkin pie is one of them.”
Nic took a deep breath. “It is such an awesome smell.”
As he ran hot water in the sink to wash up the bowls and measuring cups he was struck by his upbeat mood. He was eager to kick off the holidays that were going to be so much better than last year’s. Right before Thanksgiving, Jackie told him she was leaving, but wanted to wait to tell Nicole until after the holidays. One last holiday cycle as a family, she said. Parker regretted going along with her on that. Later, when the truth came out, Nic had been furious with both of them and called them a couple of fakers. He didn’t blame her.
This year was different, though. He’d made a mistake not going to the Halloween party. He wouldn’t repeat that again. No more hiding out with old memories. Earlier, down at the pier, the sun rose in a clear sky and delivered the promise of another unseasonably warm day. The rest of Thanksgiving weekend was likely to be rainy and cold. Maybe not good for the open house, but he wasn’t going to worry about that now.
Grabbing the dish towel to dry the bowl and utensils, he looked over at Nic staring at her phone. Back to normal.
“Mom just texted. She’s not a happy camper, Dad.”
How many times had Nic used that expression? When it came to Jackie, what did it even mean? That life wasn’t one day of bliss after another? At one time he’d have taken secret pleasure in hearing that news. But those flashes of satisfaction had a short shelf life. He ended up feeling mean. By now, Jackie’s problems only mattered if they spilled over to Nic. She looked up at him, obviously expecting a response.
He leaned against the counter and stretched his legs out in front of him, one foot crossed over the other. “Did she mention Thanksgiving plans?” He tried to keep his voice neutral.
“She and Ben are going to a potluck.” Nic smiled slyly. “She says most of the food will be ‘some combo of beans, zucchini and sprouts…even the pasta.’”
“Now that’s your mom’s sense of humor,” Parker said with a chuckle. “She must be doing better than you think.”
“I suppose.” Nicole wiggled her shoulders, one up, one down in rapid succession.
“You’re doing your shoulder dance. What’s wrong?”
“In last night’s text, she mentioned the job stuff again.”
As in not finding one. Parker heard all about it. She even sent him a text complaining about the lack of teaching jobs in their town.
Nicole scrolled down. “Here she says the potluck is going to be huge. Oh, and it’s cold and rainy.”
“So, we’re going to a small potluck,” he said, unable to resist adding, “on a warm, sunny, spectacular day.”
Nic gave him a pursed lips give-me-a-break glance.
Give me a break. His ex-wife was not going to alter his mood. “What do you want from me, Nic? I can’t help it if your mom is having a bad day.” If, as Nic had implied on many occasions, her mom had some regrets, how would he know? She didn’t confess them to him.
With a grimace nearly distorting her features, Nic stood and cleared their breakfast dishes from the table with a little extra disgruntled energy, as if the plates, sticky from pancake syrup, had done her wrong. “Okay. Sorry for caring.” She put down the dishes and flounced past him to the window. She yanked the band off her ponytail and freed her hair and ran her hands through it.
This was getting old. “Nic, tell me what’s really going on. Do you wish you’d driven up to see your mom for the weekend?” Had Jackie even invited her? “It’s okay if that’s what you’re thinking. I’m not going to get hurt feelings over it.”
She shook her head. “She didn’t say anything at all about Thanksgiving until last night. Even if I wanted to be up there, I’m working this weekend. I’ve also got a bunch of stuff to do for school.”
“For what it’s worth, I’m not used to this kind of holiday, either. You know, having Thanksgiving dinner with four people we barely know.”
“At least they invited us, Dad,” Nic whispered, turning to face him. “Would you rather we were alone here? They’re, you know, a real family.” She chuckled. “Jason and that dog are hilarious. And Emma is fun. It’s just so…so strange.”
A real family like they used to be. He got that message, even if it bothered him. “Of course, I’m glad. That’s my point. It’s a different kind of day, but I’m looking forward to it.” The words came easily because they were true.
Nicole’s eyes flashed with anger. “At least we’re not pretending. Like last year.”
Parker lifted both hands. “You’ve got to let me off the hook. I made a mistake going along with your mom. I’ve said that, what, maybe a thousand times?”
Oh, there it was again. The long, pointed look. Nic was so good at those. But he wouldn’t relive it all again. “I’m out of apologies, Nic.”
Nic wasn’t wrong about the facts. Jackie had told him a few days before Thanksgiving she planned to leave with her secret guy after the holidays. His ex-wife delivered this dose of reality in one speech. She was sorry. She fell in love. Ben was a great guy. She and Parker had had good years, but that’s the past. Ten minutes later, he needed a divorce lawyer.
Still reeling from hearing about her affair for the first time, he’d been like a robot and foolishly gone along with her idea—demand—to get through the holidays before telling Nicole they were splitting up.
Nicole flopped on the couch. “I know, I know. I’m being difficult. But it’s just…”
“Just what?”
“I guess I can’t stop wondering if Mom’s changed her mind. Or, like, maybe she wants to come back.”
Parker pulled a chair out from the kitchen table and carried it closer to the couch so he could sit opposite her. “Honey, she’s not coming back to me.” He stifled all the platitudes about the good years they’d had and all that. He’d said all that when Jackie first left and they didn’t make Nic feel better. Or him. “I know it doesn’t seem like it now, Nic, but your mom never really left you.”
“She’s in Vermont, Dad.”
Point scored. “You know what I mean.”
“Yeah, I do. But it’s weird I’ve only seen where she lives once—for two days while Ben was off on a camping trip with his buddies. I talked to him for like, half an hour.”
He could see from her frown she was still perplexed. A man. An affair. A divorce. No obvious warning. He gave his daughter’s knees an affectionate pat. “Meanwhile, kiddo, I like having you with me.”
For the first time since Nic brought up her mom, she managed a smile. “I know, Dad. I don’t want you thinking I don’t like it here.” Her tone turned sassy. “Not every girl has her very own studio apartment.”
“Heated studio.” Parker laughed smugly. “We better get ready if we’re going to show up at Ruby and Mike’s on time.” He checked his watch and tapped its face. “Out front, fifteen minutes.”
Nic hurried out, leaving him to brush away his negative feelings toward Jackie for complaining to Nic. Maybe even making their daughter think Jackie had regrets. Parker preferred the buzz of anticipation that stayed with him the last couple of days. Mike and Ruby were a lot of fun. And generous. He gladly accepted their invitation. Even better, Emma would be there. She was on his mind—a lot.
He quickly changed clothes and grabbed his jacket. After slipping the pie in a box, he joined Nic out front. She looked fresh and young in her skinny jeans and a heavy red sweater. She was like his old Nic when she said, “Lookin’ good, Dad. I like your hair kinda longish again.”
“I’m glad I pass inspection,” he said. “But I think you’re also telling me I need a haircut. Guess I’ll have to schedule one with Georgia.”
The bright afternoon sun warmed his shoulders as they walked along. Nic had been so right about last year’s phony holiday in their house in the woods in North Carolina. But he was happy to focus on today.
When Nic led the way on a narrow section of shore the rows of metallic beads on the neckline of her sweater caught the sun and flickered. “If I forget to say it today, I’m proud to be your dad.”
She rewarded him with a sweet smile. Then she tugged at the bottom edge of the sweater. “I went thrifting with a girl from my zoology class. This hardly cost me anything.”
Thrifting? One of Nic’s new hobbies? Nice and safe, Parker thought.
Nic thrust her arm in the air and put some energy behind a big wave. “We might have known we’d have a welcoming party. Peach is waiting to greet us.”
“Yep, a dog and her boy,” Parker quipped.
Jason ran to meet them, every part of him in motion and talking nonstop. “They sent me to welcome you. You’re our guests.”
“When I was your age, my mom and dad sent me to welcome guests, too,” Nic said.
“Really?”
“Yep, but they just came to the door,” Nic said. “We didn’t have a special beach.”
They hurried the rest of the way to meet Ruby and Mike in the front yard. Hmm…no Emma.
As if reading his mind, Mike said, “Emma’s on her way. It’s such great weather. I dragged the second boat out of the shed. We can row around the lake after we eat.”
“We’ll work off all that food, huh?” Ruby said, patting Jason’s head.
Looking over Ruby’s shoulder, Parker saw Emma getting out of her car. “Here she comes now.”
“She’s bringing sweet potatoes,” Mike said. “I’ll go help her carry them.”
“No, no, I’ll go.” Before Mike could argue, Parker jogged up to Emma. “I hear you have food. I’m the delivery man.”
“Good.” She pointed to the floor of the back seat. “Have at it.”
Parker surprised himself by repeating what Mike said about taking a boat out on the lake later. He was glad Nicole couldn’t hear him talking so fast.
Emma’s face lit up as they started toward the house. “I’m game. I haven’t been out on the lake in a long time.”
“I suppose you saw the forecast isn’t looking good for the weekend.” He shrugged as they walked along. “But we’ve done all we can for the open house.”
“So, how’s the owl?”
“Livening up. She’ll be on her way soon.”
Emma’s expression gave away her heart. “I know it’s positive news, but I’ll miss her.”
He understood. “Everyone who works with these creatures has a pang or two when they fly off. That means we’ve been successful, but it’s bittersweet sometimes.”
“Hey, you two,” Ruby called. “No time for chitchat. We’ve got work to do.”
“Uh-oh. Listen up. Ruby’s getting us organized,” Emma said.
By the time Ruby divvied up the jobs, Parker gladly teamed up with Mike to set the table and open the wine. Ruby asked Nicole to help setting up the food in buffet style. Emma was put in charge of watching Jason and Peach in the front yard.
While Parker helped Mike, he tried not to be obvious about staring out the bay window at Emma. She was perched on the tire swing with her long legs extended in front of her while Jason pushed her and the dog sat and watched.
Mike glanced at him with a knowing expression. “She’s like an aunt to Jason. Em and Ruby are like sisters, only without the rivalry.”
“That’s what Emma said.”
Later, as they filled their plates with cranberries, dressing, sweet potatoes and Ruby’s specialty, a corn casserole, Mike carved the turkey.
“You do that like a pro,” Parker said. “You’ve mastered one of the manly arts.”
Mike laughed. “I can carve a turkey and row my family around the lake. I’m two for two.”
“Before we eat, let’s say something we’re grateful for today,” Ruby said. “Our families didn’t always do that, but Mike and I want to make it our family tradition.”
Parker glanced at Nicole, wondering if she was so quiet because it was Jackie’s tradition, too. At times like this, it was as if her old childhood shyness had made a temporary comeback. He liked to joke about her being all grown up, but maybe not so much.
“I’ll start,” Emma said. “I’m grateful for the new center. And for all of you.”
As they went around the table, Ruby talked about being grateful for Jason and the baby. Mike said thank you to his dad, who’d passed, for convincing him to hang on to the house and the lake.
“It’s not exactly original,” Parker said, “but I’m thankful for Nic and my new job.”
“And I get to have my own studio,” Nic said. “Who wouldn’t be grateful for that?”
“What about you, Jason?” Mike asked. “What are you grateful for?”
Jason dug his spoon into the cranberries on his plate. “Today, it’s cranberries. My favorite.”
“You are so funny, Jason,” Nic said, laughing.
“Thanks,” Jason said. “Can we eat now?”
“Good question,” Mike said. “I think it’s time.”
As they ate first helpings and passed the bowls for seconds, most of the talk was about how delicious everything was. At one point, Nic changed the subject and asked Mike if he liked being mayor. She soaked up the story of him announcing his candidacy over last year’s Thanksgiving dinner.
Mike glanced at Jason and then at Ruby. “It was a big day all around.”
“And now we’re getting a baby, Nicole,” Jason said, bouncing in the chair. “It’s either a boy or a girl. We don’t know which.”
Parker chuckled along with everyone else, but Nic broke into a giggle. “How fun. You’ll have a dog and a baby.”
“Peach used to be Mom’s dog,” Jason explained, “but she belongs to the whole family now.”
Ruby smiled softly at Jason. “With such a big heart, Peach has plenty of room for all of us.”
Parker glanced at Nic, whose eyes were suspiciously shiny. Who could blame her? His heart squeezed in his chest and for a couple of seconds he could barely breathe. Right now, this family had it all. No one was faking their feelings, or keeping up appearances, only to walk out the door forever.
Seeing Ruby and Mike brought him back to a time when they were getting ready for Nic and his pulse raced with excitement. He was impatient for her to be born so he could be a dad. Young as he was, it seemed he’d waited his whole life to say hello to Nic for the first time.
“I get to be an honorary aunt…again,” Emma said, her gaze on Nic.
“Way cool.” Nic smiled, but her tone fell flat.
As if sensing a subtle shift in the atmosphere, Emma pushed her chair back and stood. She looked expectantly at Parker. “Want some help cutting the pie?”
“Absolutely,” he said, following her into the kitchen, where she got out plates and cups and saucers. “You know your way around, don’t you?” he asked.
“I’ve spent a fair amount of time here over the last year. Ruby and I work together on lots of projects. She’ll come to my house plenty, but I enjoy coming out here—and to the lake.” Emma blushed and lowered her gaze. “But then, you know that.”
“The birds and I are always happy to see you.” It was true. He was lighter when he was with Emma. Sometimes she seemed to send him flitting all over the place like the chickadees and cardinals going from branch to branch, tree to tree. Right now, he was lighter than he’d been all day.
* * *
EVEN ROWING OUT onto the lake, the happy, playful sounds coming from Nicole and Jason on the shore carried across the water. It didn’t take long for Emma to catch on to Parker. It was no accident he was keeping them a fair distance from Mike and Ruby in the other dinghy. Emma braced her palms on the seat and lifted her face to revel in the warmth of the sun.
“This is like a moment of perfection.”
Parker smiled. “Not to mention having an oarsman at your service, ma’am.”
“Ah yes, I’m getting a free ride.” She leaned to the side and let her fingers drag in the water, cool, but not yet icy cold.
“The longer Nic and I are in town, the more she sees what having a real home is like.” Parker pulled the oars into the boat and let it float aimlessly. “She grew up mostly in North Carolina, but her relatives were in Ohio, where I grew up. Jackie’s were in Pennsylvania and Delaware.”
“Makes my life in Bluestone River seem kind of dull. Born here, one house, one school.” She grinned. “Only one college, too.”
“But isn’t your family kind of a big deal here?”
Emma shrugged. She hadn’t thought about it in that way in a long time.
Frowning, Parker said, “Oops. Sensitive subject?”
“No, no. It’s just that hardly anyone remembers the O’Connells anymore. My grandfather owned a farm machinery business way back when. He sold it at the right time, and being a smart investor, he called it dumb luck, he amassed the family money.”
Parker’s cheeks turned pink. “Actually, I wasn’t talking about money. Everyone knows you.”
“They know of me. Except for a huge, mansion kind of house, my parents were low-key. I’m the same.” She waved to Ruby in the other boat. “I sold the house when my mom died and it’s changed hands a couple of times since, so it’s not the old O’Connell place anymore.”
“You still live in a huge house,” Parker teased.
Emma grinned and stared at the trees lining the lake as she gathered her thoughts. “I like my land, especially now that we have the butterfly garden on the edge of it.”
“The woods here are pretty quiet now, but they’ll be alive with birdsong in the spring and summer.”
“I’m glad you’re enjoying it here, Parker.” She paused. “You’re part of bringing Bluestone River to life. Even the diner is getting a new look.”
“Jim Kellerman goes through my mind now and again. My invitation is still open,” Parker said.
“He may be hopeless,” Emma replied, a look of mild disdain passing over her face. “He even argued against reviving caroling at the bridge—an old tradition that fell by the wayside decades ago.”
Parker chuckled. “Mike told me he didn’t even want Santa Day. What harm could a little singing in the park do?”
“Good question.” Emma bristled, knowing full well it wasn’t fair. But maybe it was a little singing to him, but to her it was a statement, a sign. The volunteer organizers felt the same way. Bluestone River was taking something cherished in the past and polishing it up and bringing it out as a showpiece again.
Suddenly, Mike’s laughter pierced the air and drew her attention to the other boat, facing toward the house again.
“I wonder what Ruby said to get Mike laughing,” Emma mused. “This time. She makes him laugh all the time. I think that’s half the reason he’s so in love with her.”
“Not a bad reason at all.” Parker smiled and picked up the oars.
Emma was glad Parker rowed away from the shore rather than toward it. She was enjoying this too much to head back. She was curious about a remark Nicole had made earlier, but wasn’t sure how to broach it. Emma wasn’t even sure why it stuck in her mind or had any meaning at all.
“I’m curious,” Emma started. “Nicole mentioned that it was snowing in Colorado and about going to another college. Is her mother moving there?”
Parker adjusted his sunglasses, one of his nervous habits, she’d noticed. He kept his focus on the water, not on her.
“No, that’s where she expected to go to college. I’d accepted a job to start a new avian rescue center. Nicole planned to move with me. Actually, we were all going. Jackie hadn’t left yet.” Parker scoffed. “To be honest it was one of those offers that sounded too good to be true, and it turned out to be just that. The whole thing fell through last spring.”
“I see.” But she didn’t. Or maybe she didn’t like what she suspected was true. “So, we were your second choice?” If that.
Parker abruptly stopped rowing. “When you put it that way, then yes. That’s how I landed here.” He began rowing again. “Emma, surely that would make sense to you. You knew I wasn’t a young guy looking for his first job.”
“I just hadn’t thought of it that way,” Emma said, confused by a barrage of contradictory feelings. Parker was right. What had she expected? That someone with his experience would make their small center his last stop? She knew better.
“Look, I won’t lie to you. I wanted that move to Colorado. I’d prepared my whole career for a job like that and had all the credentials for it. Anyone in my field would have jumped at the chance. But it was more or less a house of cards. I hadn’t signed a new contract at the center in North Carolina. Nic was finishing senior year and we were going to leave after graduation. End of story.”
Knowing the question was out of line, she stumbled into it anyway. “Then do you plan to leave when another opportunity comes up?”
Parker frowned. “Emma, these questions aren’t relevant now. Have you seen even one sign that I’m not committed to the sanctuary? One hundred percent?”
“No, not really. But…” She searched for the words to make herself understood.
“So far, I’ve done everything asked of me.” Parker’s voice rose as he spoke. “And more. Much more.”
“Yes, you have,” Emma said. “I’ve enjoyed watching what you’ve done. Anyone can see all the time and energy that’s gone into the sanctuary. I’m not criticizing.”
“You’ve played a significant part, too, Emma.” Parker nodded. “Look, let’s settle this. I committed to the board for a year, with an optional automatic renewal if I want it. Beyond that, we’ll see. But if you’re wondering, I’m not actively looking for another job.”
Emma ignored that grudging, frustrated tone that she’d also detected on other occasions. “Okay, my mistake. I never should have questioned you.”
He studied her face. “Then why did you?”
A stark and frank question. An equally stark answer was on her tongue. “I really don’t know.” She stopped short of admitting she was drawn to him. That she selfishly didn’t want him to leave. She settled for making a couple halfhearted remarks about the beauty of the land and its role in the town’s renewal. It sounded like brochure copy, even to her. Finally, she more or less gave up explaining. “All that aside, you and Nicole seem to fit right in here.”
In a gentler voice, Parker said, “And don’t get me wrong. Even Nic noticed how nice you’ve all been.” He raised his brows. “Not to mention an apartment all to herself.”
“I’ll bet.” She glanced at the pinkish ripples of light on the water. The sun was fading now. “It’s going to be dark soon.”
“We should probably get back.” He pointed with his chin to the shore. “Mike is dragging the other boat up on the beach.”
“It’s been fun out here rowing around,” she said, trying to lighten up her tone. “Thanks.”
“I’m glad we grabbed the chance.”
The dull ache in her hip distracted her when they fell into an awkward silence. She shifted her position and bent her knee and tucked her left leg behind her right. Out of the corner of her eye, she saw Parker watching, a small wrinkle forming between his brows. It took an effort to keep her expression neutral.
When they reached the shore, Parker grounded the bow and jumped out. “Let me pull it up so you don’t get wet.”
Emma gripped the sides as she tried to figure out a way to gracefully lift herself up and off the boat. For the moment, though, she was stuck. Avoiding Parker’s eyes, she saw Nicole watching while she pushed Jason in the tire swing. Emma had spent way too much time trying to dodge moments just like this one.
“Can I help you?” Parker’s voice was casual.
She smiled up at him. “Um, thanks, but I can manage.” She pushed off from her good leg, and almost got to both feet as she reached across the seat for her cane. Big mistake. The ache in her bad leg turned into a bolt of unexpected pain streaking down her thigh. She gasped and let herself drop to one knee to avoid falling over.
Parker’s arm circled her waist and he steadied her. “That hurt, huh?”
“A little bit, but I’ll be fine.” As she started to straighten up, he held on with a looser grip but didn’t move away from her. He kept his hand on her arm as she stepped out of the boat.
“You kind of had me worried there,” he said, trying to keep his voice light.
She pulled her arm out of his grip. “Please, I can manage to take care of myself. I’m not helpless. I’m not one of your wounded birds.” She gulped air and covered her mouth with her hand. An apology, an explanation, started to form, but Parker was faster.
“You? Helpless? Right.” He turned away abruptly and took long strides toward Nicole.
Her expression troubled, Nicole caught her eye. She owed Parker an apology. But now he was talking to Mike and Nicole. Jason and the dog were running in circles around the three them.
Ruby hurried toward her, beaming, which meant her best friend hadn’t seen her struggle to get out of the boat. Good. She would hide the ache in her leg long enough to say her goodbyes. Once she got home, she’d soak in a hot tub and the pain would go away.
“It was gorgeous out there, wasn’t it?” Ruby asked. “Mike and I haven’t been out much by ourselves. Jason is usually with us—and Peach.”
“It was a gorgeous day.” Emma put her arm around Ruby. “Thanks so much. Another special holiday with you.”
Ruby pulled away. “Wait a minute. I’ll get you some leftovers.”
“No, don’t bother now,” Emma said. “I’ll stop in tomorrow. I’m going to be at the sanctuary most of the day anyway.” And she’d get Parker off by himself and apologize properly. Profusely.
Ruby eyed her suspiciously. “Are you hurting?”
She tightened her mouth and nodded. “A little. I probably didn’t stretch enough this morning.” A harmless little white lie.
“If you’re sure,” Ruby said, looking skeptical. “Well, I’ll see you tomorrow one way or the other. If I’m not here, I’ll be on the boardwalk.”
Emma gave Ruby a quick one-armed hug and shouted goodbye to everyone. “See you tomorrow.”
Jason ran toward her with Peach following. “You going to walk me to my car?”
“Uh-huh. Dad said we’re going to be in the woods tomorrow. But our feet won’t touch the ground.”
Emma laughed and stroked Jason’s brown curls. “That’s right. You come visit me in the office. I have a slideshow. You can see pictures I took of lots of stuff. Would you like that?”
“Yep. Bye.” With that he ran off to join the others.
Still angry with herself, Emma walked away as fast as she could.
When she got home, she peeled off her clothes and sat on the edge of the tub while it filled. Her cheeks were wet with the tears that had started the minute she closed her front door. Over what? Her thoughtless remark? Her tears certainly weren’t about Parker. Well, maybe a little. No, this was all about her. She started her day with energy and anticipation, but now all that had drained away and this sense of defeat had taken over.
Poor me, she mocked. I couldn’t get myself out of the boat.
Big deal. She’d stayed in one position too long and her hip and leg were like a frozen hinge that kept her from unfolding her body. If she’d laughed at herself and accepted Parker’s help, it would have been a light moment between friends.
Emma thought she’d adjusted to her situation. Accepted that she had this one physical limitation. A minor one that had no real consequences in her regular life other than not being able to walk long distances. She needed a cane to ease the pressure off her lower back and hip. That was it.
And maybe occasionally, she had to grasp an outstretched hand to help her. She submerged into the water and let the heat do its magic.
* * *
PARKER WAS NOT about to apologize to Emma. He wouldn’t back down and pretend he did something wrong. He left the treatment cabin and was on his way to the pier in the dark when his phone buzzed in his pocket. A call, not a text.
“Am I calling too late? Oh, why am I bothering to ask that. You’d deny it if it were true just so I wouldn’t feel bad.”
“Luckily, I don’t have to deny anything. And it’s not exactly the middle of the night.”
“You know why I’m calling.”
“I can speculate, Emma, but I’d rather not.”
“I had no right snapping at you the way I did. I’m truly sorry. I hope you believe me.”
“Of course, I believe you, Emma,” he said, realizing his voice had softened nearly to a whisper.
“I was completely frustrated with myself, Parker. It had nothing to do with you.”
He didn’t believe that. He’d triggered something. And that’s what he wouldn’t apologize for.
“I know exactly how fortunate I am to be walking around at all. I don’t wear self-pity well and I don’t want to start now.”
“Can I say something now?” Parker asked.
“Uh, okay.”
“Well, I’m not going to lie and tell you I’m sorry for reaching out to steady you or help you get out of the boat. I’m just not. If Ruby tripped, or Jason got hurt, I’d jump in.”
“I know, Parker. That’s why I feel bad about what I said.”
“It’s not about intruding in your space, Emma. Maybe you would have righted yourself. Maybe not. But I wasn’t going to wait around to see. But please, it’s done now.”
“And I can sleep,” Emma said clearly sounding relieved. “I didn’t want to wait until tomorrow.”
“Consider it done.”
“Thanks. So, see you in the morning?”
“First thing.”
She said a soft goodbye and ended the call. He went down to the pier, smiling to himself.
* * *
EMMA CRAWLED INTO BED, relieved by her conversation with Parker beyond what made sense. She’d blown this all out of proportion. Nearly asleep, she heard the signal alerting her to a text. She rolled over and grabbed the phone off the nightstand. She laughed out loud at the message: U r no wounded bird.
Sighing as she snuggled under the covers, phone in hand, she considered typing a reply, but couldn’t come up with anything witty enough. Somehow, a simple “thanks” wouldn’t do.
If more needed to be said to clear the air they could do it in person. Tomorrow.