Page 174 of Key West Homecoming

“All right.”

“That’s it?”

“That’s it. You’ll tell me when you’re ready.”

He studied her face. “You’re not going to ask?”

“I want to.”

Jake laughed.

“I want to very badly, actually, but I’m not going to.”

“That may be the nicest thing you’ve ever done for me.”

“Don’t get used to it.”

They started back toward the lane.

Halfway to her car, Emma stopped.

“I do need one thing before Thursday.”

“What?”

She smiled. “Would you kiss me?”

Jake was already reaching for her.

His mouth found hers, and Emma slipped her arms around his neck. When he pulled back, he stayed close enough that his lips brushed hers when he spoke.

“You never have to ask me that, Emma.”

“That’s good to know.”

She kissed him again.

Rachel had four pages of estate inventory squared neatly on the desk.

She went through the recovery items one at a time while Emma took notes she probably wouldn’t need. The estate had several paths for recovering money and property. None of them would happen quickly.

“Before you ask me again, think months, not weeks,” Rachel said. “Some of this could take close to a year. I know you want it finished, but wanting it finished doesn’t make the process move faster.”

“I’ve only asked twice.”

“Three times.”

Emma smiled. “Fine. Three.”

Rachel turned the page.

“Now we need to talk about something you’re not going to like. Gloria’s will leaves Arthur three things. Her mother’s china, two pieces of jewelry from your grandfather’s side and whatever remains in her checking account after the medical bills. That should be around eleven hundred dollars.”

“So he gets them.”

“Under the will, yes. Because of what he owes the estate, I could ask the court to offset those bequests against the debt. I think we’d have a strong argument.”

Outside the tall window, the fig tree moved in the side garden.