Page 99 of Holding Ground

The sound of a vehicle nearby reaches us, then Emelia is pulling into the driveway. I see her eyes widen when she takes in the scene, likely registering who I’m standing here with. She turns off the car, then steps out, managing a small, awkward smile at us.

“Emelia, this is Kate. Kate, Emelia.” I motion between the two of them.

“Nice to meet you,” Emelia says.

“Likewise.” Kate studies her.

“I’m just going to…” Emelia points toward the bunkie, ducks her head, and makes her way down the side of the house.

I watch her until she disappears inside the bunkie, thinking of the drawing Baylor did of the three of us that’s now hanging on my fridge.

“You’re in love with her.”

My head snaps back in Kate’s direction, forehead creasing. “What?”

“C’mon, Elliott. I’m not blind. You used to look at me like that.” There’s a healthy dose of regret in her voice.

I don’t remember ever feeling anything close for Kate that I do for Emelia, and isn’t that the problem I won’t address?

I’m not a complete asshole, so I don’t bother telling her that I’ve never looked at anyone the way I look at Emelia. “I’m not interested in your opinion on my personal life.”

Kate raises both hands. “Understood. I’m going to go before I wear out my welcome.”

“Probably a good idea. I’ll let you know about Thursday.” I don’t wait for her to get in her car before I turn around and walk back toward the house.

When I get inside, I head straight for the kitchen. I need a beer.

Baylor’s pictures are still on the table. I pick up the last one, the one with everyone she loves in stick figures made with wobbly crayon lines, and on the edge, an outline with no face, waiting to be filled in.

I set it down, and I don’t cry, though it’s close.

CHAPTER

FORTY-ONE

Emelia

Idid some more digging today and found out that all three of those LLCs were filed by the same attorney. That can’t be a coincidence, but it’s not exactly proof either. So I dug some more, and what I found has me even more on edge.

The three properties in question fill a gap in and around the parcel we’re trying to acquire from the town council, and create a much larger, continuous stretch of lakefront. But the parcel the town owns is smack dab in the middle, connecting them all.

I’ve been here selling a contained development to the residents of Echo Lake, and I’m starting to wonder if that’s not the reality at all.

That feeling of dread in my stomach only grew throughout the day. And pulling into the driveway and coming upon Elliott talking to Kate? What a way to end an already terrible day.

I thought a lot about Baylor today, wondering how she was feeling about meeting her mom.

Elliott hasn’t reached out to me since I came upon him in the driveway, and I haven’t reached out to him either. He’s going through it today, and I figure he knows where to find me.

What once felt easy and natural between us is feeling more strained. I’m not sure if it’s because Kate has popped back into his life and he’s dealing with a lot, or if it would have happened anyway as my time here in Echo Lake ends.

The time to say goodbye is approaching. I know that when we started up, we both said that we wouldn’t worry about what it might become, but the truth is, we knew it couldn’t last. I’m leaving. That’s a fact.

I’ve just changed into a pair of flannel pajama pants and a tank top when there’s a knock on the door.

It’s late, later than usual for Elliott to seek me out.

I open the door and find him there, shirtless and wearing a pair of pajama bottoms not unlike my own.