“Fine, but I’m driving. You’re in no shape to get behind the wheel.”
He nodded.
They jumped into her Jeep, and his leg bounced while she steered out of the orchard.
Emily stopped at a red light and rested her hand on his thigh. “Deep breaths.” She reached for his hand, then entwined her fingers with his. “I’m here.”
“Thank you,” he managed to say as he felt a tiny ribbon of relief swirl in his chest.
Emily shifted on the pine-colored vinyl chair. She tried crossing her legs and folding one underneath her, but she couldn’t find a comfortable position. Not that she would on hospital furniture.
She glanced at the clock on the wall and then scanned the crowded waiting area of the emergency room. A television mounted in the corner showed a weatherman discussing the forecast for the weekend, but there was no way she could concentrate on what the man was saying. All she could think about was Jake and his parents.
She couldn’t believe that two hours ago she was standing in Jake’s garage, where he had almost kissed her.
He almost kissed me!
But... none of that mattered now. There were more important things to worry about.
She could still hear the pain in Jake’s voice when he told her that he should’ve been there to help his parents. And seeingthe trails of tears down his cheeks had fractured her heart. She couldn’t stop herself from holding him—she’d do anything to comfort him—and she was grateful he’d allowed her to.
But sitting out in the waiting area and not knowing what was going on was making her crazy. She’d almost texted Jake a hundred times, but she knew he’d share an update with her if he had one.
She longed for someone to talk to, any sort of distraction, so she unlocked her phone and shot off a text to Andi.
Emily: Hi! I hope you and Seth are having fun in Hickory. I wanted to let you know that Jake’s dad fell, and we’re at the ER. I’m waiting on an update.
Andi: Oh no!!! Please let us know how he is and if you need anything. We can head home earlier if you need us.
Emily smiled. Andi and Seth were the best kind of friends.
Emily: Thanks. I’ll keep you posted.
She dropped the phone into the front pocket of her hoodie and then picked up a celebrity gossip magazine. She swallowed a groan when she realized it was nearly eighteen months old. Well, it was better than nothing. Resting her elbow on the arm of the chair, she set her chin on her palm and flipped through the stories.
After a while, still immersed in one of the stories, Emily could’ve sworn she heard a familiar female voice.
“I’m looking for Leon Hughes. His wife is Diane; his son is Jake. And I’m practically family!”
Oh no. It can’t be!
Emily slowly turned toward the reception desk and spotted the owner of the familiar voice.
Claire Chapman.
Emily slumped down in the seat and lifted the magazine, hoping to hide her face. But Claire’s green eyes locked on hers before a devilish smile lifted her lips.
Claire waved and rushed across the waiting area toward her with her high heels clacking all the way. “Emily!” she called.
Ugh!
As if she’d just strutted off the pages of a fashion magazine, Claire sported a light green peasant top, a pair of jeans that accentuated her hourglass figure, and peep-toe pumps. As usual her makeup was perfect and set off her jade eyes, high cheekbones, and pouty lips. And her blonde hair was perfectly smooth. She’d always looked so perfect that she reminded Emily of a Barbie doll—tall and elegant, with flawless skin and curves in all the right places.
And she was sitting across from Emily, who sported a messy ponytail, an oversized gray hoodie, ripped jeans, and pink high-tops that were splattered with a rainbow of dried paint.
Could this day get any worse?
“Oh, Emily! It’s so good to see you, despite the circumstances.” Her eyes roved over Emily, and her fake smile widened. “You look...” She paused as if searching for the perfect word. “Terrific,” she gushed. “Jake told me that you came back to help him with the orchard, but I didn’t realize you were still in Splendid Lake.”
