Page 183 of Key West Homecoming

She decided she could wait at least five minutes before asking.

Edmund turned back to her.

“I'll write. On paper. Rebecca's been trying to teach me how to send a photograph on the telephone, and I've decided that at seventy-four I'm allowed to lose that particular argument. The same goes for all this emailing. What's wrong with a stamp?”

Emma laughed. “Nothing. I promise I'll write back.”

“You'd better.”

He held out his arms.

Emma stepped into them and held on longer than she expected to. Edmund did too. Beneath her cheek, she could feel his heart beating faster than it should have.

The reminder of his health frightened her more now than it had when she'd first met him. A few weeks ago, Edmund had been a stranger who knew things about Gloria. Somewhere along the way, he'd become a grandfather and part of what Emma had found on this journey.

“You take care of yourself,” she said when they finally separated.

Then she looked at Rebecca.

“I'll make sure he does,” Rebecca promised.

“I don't require this much supervision,” Edmund said.

Rebecca opened the passenger door. “Get in the car, Dad.”

He made a funny face and rolled his eyes before climbing inside which made Emma laugh.

Emma stood beside Jake as Rebecca pulled away. The car went up Simonton, turned at the corner and disappeared.

Jake slipped his arms around her waist from behind.

Emma leaned back against him.

“What did he say to you?”

“I knew you were going to ask.”

“Of course I was.”

“He told me to look after the lilies.”

Emma turned in his arms. “That's all?”

Jake smiled.

“That's not all. But that's the part I'm going to tell you today.”

Emma narrowed her eyes at him.

“You realize I'm not good at waiting.”

“I've noticed.”

“How long will I have to wait?”

“I haven't decided.”

“That seems unfair.”