EMMA SCRUBBED THE plastic grass, as Parker called it, and spread it out to dry on the counter next to the sink. Then she filled the bucket with soapy water to make sure it was clean. “When you said I’d spend more than half my bird time cleaning up after them you were right.” They both wore aprons and gloves. Emma had tucked her hair under a baseball cap.
“It never ends, especially now that I’m certain we won’t be able to let the crow go free. But one bird or fifty, it seems the amount of work is always the same.”
Parker’s phone buzzed. “There she is. Mom will be here in a few minutes.”
“Good. She’ll get here before the snow starts,” Emma said. “And I’m ready for her.” Parker had finally stopped worrying about imposing on Emma. Instead, he’d taken a page from Nicole’s book and asked her to send pictures of Emma’s log house to Grandma Sharon and text about the luxury suite. She’d even sent a photo of the butterfly garden on Emma’s land.
“You’re up for anything these days.”
Her cheeks warmed from his intimate tone. “I suppose I am.” Between the birds, the perceptible shift in the town’s energy and Parker himself, Emma was content in a way she’d almost forgotten was possible.
“Nic can hardly wait for her to get here.” Parker lined the pen with new paper and transferred the crow from the cage to the larger space. “Nic and my mom have had some unforgettable moments. Nic loved it when they put star stickers all over their faces and then went shopping like there was nothing different about them. Nic couldn’t stop laughing for days.”
“People who were close to really fun grandparents seem to have an extra something in their childhood,” Emma said. “Mine lived nearby but were kind of formal and distant. They died fairly young, too.”
Parker started to respond, but stopped abruptly and cocked his head toward the door. “I think I hear voices.”
The door flew open. “She’s here,” Nicole announced with enthusiasm. “Emma, this is my Grandma Sharon…uh, Sharon Davis.”
Chuckling, Emma held up her gloved hands. “I’d shake your hand, but I’ve been handling the bird.”
“No surprise to me.” Sharon sniffed the air and wrinkled her nose. “I recognized the smell of a bird clinic from outside the building.”
Parker grabbed a towel and wiped his hands, but Sharon shook her head. “I’m not waiting for my hug.” She threw her arms around him.
“Oh, Mom,” Parker said, as he returned the hug.
Emma stood back and watched the scene unfolding, including a three-way hug with Nicole.
“I haven’t seen this guy for over a year,” Sharon explained, turning to Emma. “I couldn’t pass up a chance, especially when I was so close.”
“Do you want to settle in your room at Emma’s,” Parker asked, “before we do anything else?”
Nic waved away that idea. “No, no, no. I want to show Grandma my studio first.”
A couple of minutes of conversation settled it. Parker stayed back to finish the cleanup and Nic played tour guide. Sharon flashed a bright smile at Parker and told Nicole to lead the way.
When they’d gone, Parker was all business, making notes on his tablet, documenting the crow’s injuries, even noting the cleanup routine. “Our crow guest doesn’t seem to be in pain, but since I have no hope he’ll fly again, we might as well give him a name.”
“I bet Jason would have some ideas,” Emma said.
“Or maybe the perfect name will come to one of us.”
“Ask your mom,” Emma said, adding, “She seems excited to be here.”
Parker nodded. “I’m glad I’ll have a chance to talk to her. I didn’t confide much about my divorce. I sort of shocked her when I called to tell her I was interviewing divorce lawyers. But Nic went up to see her last spring and filled her in.”
Emma’s questions came up as why, why, and why. But she sensed Parker was sharing more than he thought he should.
He frowned. “I don’t know what it could be, but my gut tells me there’s something else going on with my mom.”
“Like what? I mean, could it be something serious?” So much for not prying.
“I don’t know. She could retire anytime she wants to,” Parker said, putting his tablet aside, “but she went to a conference for school counselors way out here. In Moline, on the Mississippi River.”
“I see your considerable wheels turning,” Emma said. “What are you thinking? I’m not good at mind reading.”
“If you were, you’d see confusion. Let’s just say she’s been a little coy about her plans.” He stepped back from the cage. “Like when she’ll retire, or what she’ll do when she does. But she’s a planner and she likes to work. Maybe she wants to go to Florida or Arizona and teach part-time.”
“She hardly looks like someone ready to retire.” Parker resembled her in almost every way, except she was a small woman, not much over five feet tall. But her hair that fell to her shoulders was wavy and thick and dark blond like Parker’s. They shared the same dark blue eyes and the wide smile. “I’m stating the obvious, but you look so much like her. It’s almost funny. She has glasses that match her eyes, just like you.”
“I hadn’t noticed that, but you’re right. I get my height from my dad. And I hope I got his decent sense of humor.”
She gave him a sidelong glance. “It came from somewhere.”
Emma heard the voices again and Parker led the way out of the cabin.
“I told Nic she’s a lucky teenager,” Sharon said when she approached Parker. “I would have been thrilled to have such a great place all my own. Smells like lavender.” She gestured around. “The woods, the lake, the buildings are reminiscent of the camp in Pennsylvania we used to rent when you were little. I’m not sure you’d remember the spot.”
Emma saw a flicker of recognition cross Parker’s face. He stared at the pier and the lake beyond.
“I didn’t until just now,” he said, “but the lake especially had a familiarity about it when I first saw it. Maybe I have traces of memories of that camp.”
“Wow, Dad. That’s like, sort of deep.” Nic turned to her grandmother. “Dad was drawn to this land for real. He got a funny look on his face the day we moved in. And he knew it was sort of a dump.”
Emma burst out laughing. So did Parker.
“It wasn’t that bad,” Parker insisted.
“Yeah, it was,” Emma said. “You’ve both done wonders with those old cabins.”
Sharon nodded. “I got the full rundown from Nic about how long these buildings were buttoned up tight and languishing.”
“Rotting, Grandma, rotting. Languishing is way too polite.”
“And there are a dozen more cabins we haven’t even opened yet,” Parker said. “Somehow, none of that mattered.”
“No.” Sharon took a step closer to Parker and patted his arm. “I can see that.”
Emma hung back while they made their plans for the rest of the day, pleased to be included in this happy group.
* * *
“I KNOW I must sound like an old farmer,” Emma said, “but I smell snow in the air.” She threw her head back and inhaled deeply.
“Then we picked a good time for a walk,” Sharon said. “Nic is the one who told me about your butterfly garden.”
“No, no, it’s not mine,” Emma quickly interjected. “I don’t have anything to do with managing it or promoting it. Other people are in charge of that. The acres are on the edge of the land my late husband and I bought to build the house.”
“But the garden is built on your land.”
“The acres were part of my land. A woman in town had the idea and asked for help and raised the money. She needed the acres. I happened to have them. It’s the kind of land she needed because of the many miles of farms surrounding these acres. Some woods, too, but mostly fields. It was no big deal to donate them. I’m not going to miss three acres.”
Emma played back the words and once again she’d minimized her contribution. Oh, yes, her default position. She hadn’t fully broken that habit yet. But she could be proud of the butterfly garden. It had already made a difference in Bluestone River.
“I wish there was more to see,” Emma said, “but the garden is sleeping for the winter now.”
“Such a lovely town,” Sharon said, opening her arms and inhaling deeply. “Parker said as much, but the minute I got out of my car, I knew this was his kind of place.”
“Those of us involved with the sanctuary are glad he feels that way. We’re not a full-fledged rescue center yet. I know he wants that.”
Sharon offered an intimate smile. “He’s mentioned you often, Emma. You’re part of the reason he’s so settled here. Like he’s not simply passing through. I wasn’t sure he would become attached to this town.”
Of course not, Emma thought. “I understand why he’d have preferred a job in a big facility. As beautiful as it is, the center itself is on the dinky side, at least compared to what he’s used to. Right now, it’s a small community nature center.”
Sharon gave her a skeptical look. “I was thinking more along the lines that you in particular have made him feel at home.”
She blushed, avoiding Sharon’s gaze.
Sharon thrust her hands into her pockets. “When I was with Nic in her place, she showed me the quilt you gave her. It’s one of the most beautiful quilts I’ve ever seen.”
“Which is why it caught my eye. The quilter herself is well known in this area. I couldn’t resist it. It was a perfect match for her baby-blue eyes.”
“It was generous. And I don’t mean because of its value,” Sharon said. “I mean you have a generous spirit.”
Emma put her hand on her chest. “Oh, thanks. I’m probably blushing.”
“Maybe a little.” Sharon paused and then said, “I’m a bit concerned about Nic. She said something about her mother being at loose ends in Vermont. Well, more than that. Nic tells me Jackie’s unhappy where she is. And then she mentioned she could change schools next semester. Has she said anything to you?”
This was probing, plain and simple. Emma feared that might happen. Being careful where she treaded, Emma said, “I haven’t heard her say anything in a while. When I first met her she mentioned her credits from Neville could transfer to another school if she moved. But that’s pretty typical. That’s the extent of what she’s said to me.”
“Hmm… I see. Well, I bet that has more to do with Parker and her mom than it is about her and school.”
“Well, I can’t say. I don’t know Jackie,” Emma muttered, her way of begging off. Or trying to.
“I’ll be honest with you, and I may be speaking out of turn, but I don’t think Parker understands what Jackie is up to.”
And she does? Emma questioned. “I’m in the dark,” Emma said. “I know only the bare bones about what happened in the past.”
Sharon stopped walking and shook her head. “I’m sorry. It’s wrong of me to bring you into it. I know who I have to talk to for answers.”
Emma smiled, acknowledging the apology. For being so far away, Parker’s ex-wife could be a big presence.
“Here we are,” Emma said, opening a picket fence that spanned the entrance.
“I’m surprised it’s open,” Sharon said.
“No reason to lock it up. It was planned to be bordered by trees and plants, and a fence set back. No fence can keep the rabbits out, but we can keep the deer from trampling through.”
“Are you worried about intruders on your land?”
“Seriously?” Emma asked. “I had a stray cow turn up last summer. She got loose from the farm nearby. Some raccoons will come around hoping to find some food. But that’s about it.”
Everything in the garden had been cut back for the winter, but there was something special about seeing the benches and a couple of pools, dry now, but ready for next year.
“This is lovely. I’ll have to come back to see it in the spring and summer.”
“You should. This garden is thick with marigolds and blazing star. They’ve put in coneflowers and black-eyed Susans, and day lilies. Virtually everything a butterfly or hummingbird could ask for. Come to visit whenever you like. You’ll always have a room in my house.”
“I appreciate that.” She let out a quick laugh. “You know, Emma, your reputation really does precede you. Nic thinks you’re like no one else. She talks about how you run your own show, at least according to her.”
“Now what show would that be?” Emma wondered, puzzled. But she supposed that to a teenager not having to scramble for a job was the best kind of freedom.
“She’s aware of what you do for various town events, not to mention the sanctuary,” Sharon said. “Besides, she sees you as a woman who follows her own star.”
“Right now the birds are my star. Being at the sanctuary makes me happy, fulfilled. My photography is a guiding star, too.” She stalled over the next line which would naturally follow, that being around Parker pleased her.
“All I can say is that Parker mentions you in all our conversations. Especially when the owl was here.”
“Thanks to Nicole,” Emma said. “But it was very exciting for me. I’d never seen anyone examine a bird like that, and help the bird recover. I’ve always been behind the scenes with my Bluestone River projects. Parker saw how fast I took to it.”
“Oh, he noticed all right.”
Emma didn’t miss Sharon’s light tone. “Safe to say he’s taught me everything I know.”
Hoping she wasn’t saying too much, Emma explained the lost years after her fall and rehab, and Neil’s death. “I’d been looking for a new direction. The sanctuary is more than a cause for me. It’s no longer something I fund to help the town. Turns out it’s part of my life…my new life.”
“Along with your photography? Parker tells me you do great work.”
Emma jolted in surprise. He’d made complimentary remarks she thought were in passing, but it never occurred to her he’d repeat them to someone else. “You’ll see a sample in the house—in your room. Parker helped me hang some new ones of this garden.” She raised both gloved hands to catch the large snowflakes drifting down. “Here it comes. We should start back to the house.”
Sharon nodded. “But I’m sure Parker and Nic have the good sense to get here for dinner before the roads get bad.”
Emma smiled to herself, thinking of riding through town on the stormy morning with Parker. “Meanwhile, we can wait for them with a mug of warm spiced wine?”
Sharon’s face brightened. “Great idea.” She didn’t seem in a hurry and continued looking around the garden. “Before the others get here, I wanted to say that I always adored Jackie. She’s a great mom. A standout teacher. So, I’m not trying to criticize my son’s ex-wife.”
Then why bring her up?
“But I’m concerned about Nicole.”
“I take it this isn’t about college or her job,” Emma said. No sense playing naïve.
Sharon sighed. “I’m afraid Jackie is beginning to realize she made a big mistake when she went off with Ben. Parker tells Nic not to worry about Jackie so much, but I think Jackie’s getting ready to ask Parker if he wants to try again. Start over. There, I said it out loud.”
Emma took in a quick breath. “Uh, I wouldn’t know anything about that.” But she would know about sweet kisses at her door.
“Well, Nic still has hurt feelings about not being invited to live with her in the first place,” Sharon said. “As for Parker, he was blindsided. He… I don’t know how…” She shook her head.
Emma stopped and focused on the woods where the snow was already starting to veil the trees in white. “I see with my own eyes that Parker likes having Nic with him here. Beyond that, I see a lovely college student finding her way.”
“Finding her way to the resale shops with her friends,” Sharon said, amused.
“She’s a treasure hunter, all right.” With the snow becoming heavier, Emma tried to pick up her pace, and Sharon fell into step with her. Finally, though, Emma had to slow down. “Sorry. This is as fast as I can go.”
“Oops, sorry. Hey, what’s a little snow?” Sharon stuck out her tongue to catch a couple of flakes.” Exuberant, she extended her arms and made a full turn.
The two walked along in comfortable silence. When they reached the sliding door of the house, Sharon said, “I’m thrilled Parker took this job.” She had a faint smile as she looked away. “For many reasons.”
* * *
PARKER STOOD AT the kitchen sink, rinsing plates and glasses and handing them off to Emma, who loaded them in the dishwasher. They’d finished their pasta dinner and coffee and thick slices of coconut cake from Sweet Comforts. Parker knew he should coax Nic away from the table where she sat with his mom. But his daughter showed no inclination to leave. Like him. Still, listening to the wind and looking at the huge snowfall starting to drift against the patio doors, he knew it was time to leave.
“Nic tells me she got you a speaking gig,” his mom said.
“Tell her, Dad, you only got it because of me.”
“It’s true,” he said. “Nic volunteered to be on a planning committee for a one-day fair. Next thing I knew the sanctuary had a booth and I have an afternoon talk.”
“Lots of speakers and displays, Grandma,” Nic said. “It’s about all the jobs there are in the sciences. I bragged that my dad could talk about the sanctuary as part of wildlife management.”
“I get to go, too,” Emma chimed in, glancing at him and smiling. “I’m in charge of the booth and running the slideshow for the sanctuary. Everybody is getting involved. The co-chairs of the sanctuary board will stop in and help in the booth. Those careers are all well and good, but we’re thinking about the tourists.”
“I wish I could be there.” Sharon looked out the window and sighed.
In the reflection in the glass door, Parker saw his mother’s frown.
“But I have to get back to work.”
Yes, something was definitely going on with her. He’d sensed it rippling beneath the surface since she’d arrived that afternoon. Whatever it was, he wouldn’t find it out that evening.
Parker glanced at Emma. “Uh, I hate to break up this party, but Nic and I should go. It’s not going to get any easier to drive out there.”
“I was wondering when you were going to be a party pooper and say that,” Nic said in a long-suffering voice. But she got up from the table and gave her grandma a hug.
“You’re both welcome to stay,” Emma said. “I’m serious. It’s not like I don’t have plenty of room.”
Parker looked outside. It was tempting, but his truck would make it. “I think we’ll be fine. If we get going now.”
“I’ll expect you back for breakfast,” Emma said. “I know Sharon will want the grand tour of the sanctuary tomorrow. Even in the snow.”
They walked to the door for hugs all around. Parker kissed Emma’s cheek. Whispering his thank-you, he breathed in the scent of her. Like the woods with spring flowers. Not for the first time, it left him light-headed.
He and Nic were quiet in the truck as they inched along the roads. He was mentally kicking himself for not leaving sooner.
“We probably should have taken Emma up on her offer,” Nic said.
Parker carefully steered around a drift that spread into the middle of the road. His tires spun, but only until he pressed the gas pedal and accelerated his way out of trouble. “We’re almost home. The plows will be out soon.” Home? He hadn’t spent much time there, but sometimes Emma’s house seemed as much like home as his cabin.
“Safe and sound,” he said a few minutes later. He put his arm around Nic’s shoulders as they trudged to their cabins. “I’ll get the driveway plowed first thing in the morning. Assuming the snow stops.”
“I got a text while we were at Emma’s. My classes are canceled tomorrow.” She smiled sheepishly. “I’m glad. I get to spend more time with Grandma. I have a shift at the café, but not until late in the afternoon.”
“It will all work out, I’m sure.”
“How optimistic,” Nic said.
“That’s me.” He kissed her forehead when they reached her door and they used their feet to push snow off the two stairs. “See you in the morning.”
Too keyed up to sleep, Parker put his boots and jacket back on and using his flashlight to guide him, he kicked a path through the snow to check on the crow. The building was plenty warm for the bird in his pen. He turned on a low light, but lifted the cover only long enough to make sure he was okay. Earlier, he’d fed him nuts in the shells, and some chicken. “You’re so easy to feed,” he said aloud.
The lake was lost in the blur of snow, but he trudged down to the pier anyway. Not caring about how impractical it was, he wished Emma was with him to listen to the wind and see the snow. The lights in Mike and Ruby’s windows were like haloed dots in the dark. It wasn’t exactly a night for a walk. If he had Emma with him, he’d need to pick her up and carry her to the pier so she could appreciate this picture-perfect scene with him. Finally ready to get into bed, he trudged back to his cabin.
The next morning, his bare feet hit the icy floor, shocking him awake. He checked the heater. Cold as stone. The light in the kitchen? Out. He glanced out the frosty window. It was not only a white world, but a bone-chilling one. He checked the time on his phone and texted Emma.