“That looks good.”
Emma nods toward the deck. “That looks like hard work.”
I drop into the seat in front of the mug and smile. “You don’t have to supply me with coffee and biscuits, but I’m not about to complain.”
We sit for a while, sipping on coffee. Emma nibbles on a biscuit, glancing at me from time to time.
She puts down her cup. “This must be weird. Seeing me again after all this time.”
I tilt my head. “That’s one word for it.”
Her smile’s small, but it’s there, and that’s all that matters.
“I’m not used to being around other people too much, so forgive me if I seem a little … odd.”
What?
“What do you mean?”
She licks her lips, and my gaze drops to them. When it flicks back up, her cheeks are pink.
“I’ve lived a very isolated life.”
“I thought you said you’d left the church a long time ago.”
Emma nods. “We did. But that didn’t mean …” She looks away. “Maybe I shouldn’t get into this with you.”
My heart thuds, and I place my hand on her forearm. Her gaze hits mine again. “Em, you can tell me anything.”
“Malcolm had … rules. He would take the children to and from school most of the time, and when grocery delivery became a thing, our groceries were delivered. I didn’t really leave the house.”
Did I mishear her?
“Didn’t leave the house?”
She drops her gaze again. “My whole marriage was abusive, Caleb. I was married to a man twenty-four years older than me. I only got my freedom back when he died.”
I grasp her chin and gently raise her face so I can see her tear-filled eyes. “I knew there was more to it.”
“It’s been months since he died. It took time to get probate through and sell the house and move. I’ve made a lot of progress since then, but there’s a long way to go.”
“Are you talking to anyone about this?”
She nods and I drop my hand. “I’ve been talking to a counsellor online. I’m still not great at being out and about, but I walk my kids to school and back every day.”
“And now you’re talking to me.”
Emma shrugs. “You’re the only person I’ve really come in contact so far that I thought I might be able to talk to.”
“I’ll listen whenever you need an ear.”
“Thanks.”
“And I’ll take you anywhere you want to if you want to get out of the house any time.”
Her eyes widen. “Don’t you have work?”
“The beauty of being self-employed.” I shoot her a wink, and her cheeks go a delicious shade of pink. “If you want to just hang out for the day, we could go for a drive. I’ll get you back before school gets out.”
