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“I don’t know what you’re talking about, Grandpa,” Emma protested, trying to stifle a giggle.
Liam flashed a grin and smoothly changed the subject. “Hey, maybe we can grab some ice cream later after we’re finished here.”
“Sure, that sounds great,” Emma agreed, reminiscing about the vegan ice cream her late grandmother had made for them on special occasions.
Liam chuckled fondly. “But nothing will ever top that ice cream you made with Grandma. That was the best I’ve ever had. It was your grandmother’s recipe. I was just her trusty assistant. Pouring the ice was always tricky though.”
Emma glanced over at her grandfather. He had been her rock growing up in her father’s absence. He taught her how to take care of a house, how to love and care for animals, and how to stand up for herself. They were life lessons that she carried with her into adulthood, and was grateful for him beyond words.
“So, Grandpa, how do you even have the time to keep up with all this gossip?” she asked curiously.
“Oh, I make time, my dear. Especially for something real juicy,” he said with a wink.
Emma shook her head as she turned onto Main Street. “Well, whatever you think you’ve heard, you probably got it all wrong. Maybe you should get your hearing checked soon.”
Liam laughed heartily. “My hearing is just fine, thank you very much. Now, how about you tell me about this new guy in town? I hear he’s quite the eligible bachelor.”
“There’s no one, Grandpa. I only met Luke because he was the one who found Riley. And then we had lunch together as friends. It was nothing, really.”
“It’s alright to open yourself to love again, Emma. You know that, don’t you?” Liam asked.
Emma gripped the steering wheel. “I’m not interested in love. Not anymore.”
Liam sighed. “You know Emma, it’s alright to take time to heal. But don’t close your heart so quickly, darlin’.”
It must be Let’s-Force-Emma-To-Love-Again Day, Emma thought to herself as they pulled up in front of Second Chance Rescue. Her eyes gazed ahead, but her mind was a whirlwind of conflicting emotions.
Emma felt the weight of Liam’s words as they echoed in her mind. She knew he meant well, but the fear of being hurt again was a heavy burden to bear. The memories of her failed marriage were still painfully vivid, like an open wound that hadn’t quite healed.
She remembered the broken promises, the shattered dreams, and the feeling of being blindsided by someone she had trusted with all her heart. It was a pain she didn’t want to revisit, a wound that was still raw, and she couldn’t shake off the lingering sense of betrayal.
Despite the pain, Emma couldn’t deny the yearning in her heart. She craved love—the feeling of being cherished, of having someone to share her joys and sorrows with. She missed the warmth of a loving embrace, the security of knowing someone would always be there for her.
But the battle between her heart and her mind raged on. Emma was torn, caught in a tug-of-war between her desire to love and be loved, and her need to protect herself from further pain. It was a constant struggle, and she didn’t know which side to trust.
As they got out of the car, Charlotte ran over and went straight for Liam, hugging him like she hadn’t seen him in years. He had always been like a grandfather to her as well.
“Hello sweetheart. How have you been? What have you been up to in school?”
Charlotte smiled. “Well, I was voted president of the history club for next year. And I am dead set on Hadley Cove High bringing home the State Championship cup in the History Bee this year.”
Liam hugged her again. “That’s great news! And in that case, I’ll have to keep telling you my old stories so you can win.”
Emma watched with a smile as Liam and Charlotte chatted away about history. She grabbed the bags of dog food and supplies from the trunk and headed inside the rescue center. The familiar sound of barking and meowing filled her ears as she made her way to the volunteer room.
Emma donned her volunteer shirt and joined the others in cleaning the kennels and feeding the animals. It was always a humbling experience, to see the resilience of these animals who had been abandoned or abused. They still had so much love to give, and Emma felt privileged to be a part of their journey to finding a forever home.
After a few hours of hard work, it was time for a break. Emma grabbed a bottle of water and joined Liam and Charlotte in the courtyard, where they were playing with some of the rescue dogs.
“Hey, have you guys heard about the new coffee shop that just opened up in town?” Charlotte asked.
Emma shook her head. “No, I haven’t. Is it any good?”
“I heard it’s amazing. We should check it out sometime,” Charlotte suggested.
Liam raised his eyebrows. “I don’t know about that. I’m a tea man myself.”
They all laughed as they continued to play with the dogs, enjoying each other’s company and the simple joy of being in the presence of these animals who needed their love and care.
