39

It continued to snow for the next three days. No one in Freeport, including Emily, could remember a time so much snow had collected before New Year’s. There was at least a foot on the ground by Thanksgiving morning.

Emily awoke and pulled back the curtain, expecting to find the driveway buried in another six inches. But her driveway was clear of fresh powder, and the sun had melted away any remaining snow into small puddles.

Dr. Payton came up early Thanksgiving Day to Emily’s house, and she drove them to Rock River to Anna’s. She felt differently about this Thanksgiving than she had about any other since her mother passed. She wasn’t nervous about things being stuffy or awkward, as they often were with Brandon’s family. Anna made her feel comfortable. And being with her sister and brother-in-law and nieces felt like having a real family—her family! Dr. Payton brought no expectations or pressure to please. He was easygoing and chatty. The perfect guest. Together they navigated this unfamiliar territory as newcomers.

After dinner, Emily helped Anna wash dishes in the kitchen while Dr. Payton and Kyle took the kids outside to play in the snow.

“I love that you’re here. Let’s always do this,” said Anna. “Whether you stay in Freeport or go to Ann Arbor or back to Chicago, you always have a place here with us.”

“I like that idea.” Emily glanced out the kitchen window and noticed that gray sky had overcome the blue. Snow was starting to fall again. The two men and sisters were rolling giant balls of snow to make snowmen. “I always wanted to have a sister to do that kinda stuff with.”

Anna followed her glance. “Yeah. Me too.”

“I suppose you have a lot of questions about Dad?”

“It’s funny. I was looking at you and Fiona at dinner. You two have the same nose. Same lips. Even the same little laugh.”

“Mom always said I resembled my dad more,” said Emily. “Genes have an interesting way of expressing themselves.” It made her happy that she and her little niece shared family resemblance.

Anna’s face dropped, and she turned away from Emily to wipe the suds off her hands. Emily wasn’t sure where to carry the conversation from here. How much did Anna want to know about her dad? Emily wiped down a few more plates and waited for Anna to take the lead.

But Anna remained silent until the last dish was dried. She then slung the towel on the countertop and declared in a chipper voice, “Why should we be in here doing all the work and they get to have all the fun?”

“Yes. You’re right.” Emily glanced back outside. The snowman had a base and a torso now.

“We have lost time to make up for,” Anna stated, untying her apron and tossing it on the kitchen counter. She grabbed Emily’s hand, and they dashed out the back door without their boots and coats.

*   *   *

By dusk, another snowstorm was rolling in on the horizon. Emily and Dr. Payton hastily said their goodbyes and got on the road back to Freeport. They were too late. The incoming storm billowed up and overtook them, unleashing its frozen fury. Crawling along the two-lane road with whiteouts and drifting gusts, it took them almost two hours to make the usual one-hour trip from Rock River. It was nearly ten o’clock when they pulled into the driveway, and it had been decided miles before that Dr. Payton would spend the night instead of making the treacherous trek to Ann Arbor. There was no way she would send him back on the road tonight.

She made up the bed in the guest room in the basement while Dr. Payton made a fire. Soon they were cozied up on the couch in front of the fireplace with a bottle of wine.

“What a perfect day. Right down to the snow angels,” said Emily.

“That was really cute. And I have the pictures to prove it.” He whipped out his phone and scrolled to the series of Emily and Anna in the yard. She devoured them, stopping on one where she and Anna were sandwiched between two snowmen with their arms around each other, clothes wet, hair messy. A real sister picture. Like the ones she had seen so many times of her friends and their sisters.

“What was your mother like?” asked Dr. Payton.

“Strong. Supportive. Independent,” said Emily, reflecting on her memories. “She was always there for me and my dad. Whenever I needed to work something out, I would crawl up next to her and we would just talk it out. Dad was the teacher, but Mom was the listener. What’s your mom like?”

“A lot the same. She’s a widow now. My dad died three years ago. Heart attack. She found him lying in his study. Doing what he loved.”

“Which was?”

“Watching the stock ticker on the business channel. He was an investment banker.”

“I’m so sorry,” said Emily.

“My mom travels a lot with her friends. Keeps busy.”

“Does she ever come to visit you at the university?”

“Every semester.”

Emily yawned. “Oh, dear. That was so rude.” She yawned again. “I’m sorry. All that fresh air.”

“You don’t have to fight sleep for me. It’s been a long day,” said Dr. Payton.

“Thank you. I think I’m going to head up.” She stretched out her legs and sat up. “I put extra blankets at the foot of the bed. It can get a little cold down there.”

“It’s been a wonderful day, Emily,” said Dr. Payton, taking her hand. Emily noticed how warm it was as it enveloped hers. “Thank you for including me in your new family.”

He cupped his other hand on her cheek and drew her face toward his. She could feel his light breath, touched with the scent of red wine. He leaned in and his lips touched hers. They hung there for a moment as he pressed them lightly into hers for a kiss. She wanted to kiss him back, but found herself paralyzed. He was the first man whose lips had touched hers since she and Brandon had started dating. She’d thought she’d never kiss anyone else ever again. It’s okay to move on. Brandon certainly has. You’re not doing anything wrong here.

Dr. Payton put his lips to hers again, and this time she returned the kiss. With both hands, he cradled her head and drew her deeper into the kiss. But it didn’t feel right.

Emily pulled away. And this is no way to start a new job. If I even want it.

“Good night,” she said in a whisper as she pushed the blanket off her lap into a heap. He sunk back into the couch, and Emily thought she could detect a slight frown in the waning firelight.

“Good night, Emily,” he said in a return whisper that held no judgment or disappointment. “Sleep well.”

She rose from the couch and slipped out of the living room into the dark hallway that led upstairs. Dr. Payton’s tone had told her he was not upset or offended that she had cut off the kiss. But Emily was upset about her own lack of decisiveness. Life was pulling her in all sorts of directions. And they all looked promising. Dr. Payton included.

She wished she could cozy up to her mother to talk it all out. In the early teenage years, when every day had seemed to bring some scenario of unsure footing in Emily’s life, she would find her mother reading in bed. She would motion for Emily to come lay by her side and wrap her arm around her as Emily dished about the day’s problems. Somehow the solutions were so accessible when Mom was there to steer her.

Drifting up the stairs, wrapped in this memory, Emily bypassed her own bedroom and went into her parents’. She pulled back the heavy quilt that a trio of great-aunts had made them for their wedding. Emily slid under the covers and curled into a fetal position. The day had been so full of life and fun and family. Why did she feel so very much alone?