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Ted wrapped an arm around her. “Emmie’s a very special friend to me. We’re getting to know one another. If things change, we’ll let you and everyone know.”

Cinda turned to the boys. “You can go down to the exercise room if you want while I talk to Papa and Emmie.”

The boys finished their juice and ran out of the room.

Cinda said, “I’m sorry about earlier.”

“You never know what kids will say,” said Emmie. “No harm done.”

“What do you think of the house?” Cinda asked her.

“The house and the setting are beautiful,” said Emmie. “The architecture is very unique. I like it. My home is big, but it is very conventional by comparison, though I’m very fond of it.” She didn’t want Cinda to think she was overwhelmed by the house’s size or the fact that Ted was a very wealthy man.

“Emmie’s house is beautiful,” said Ted. “I’ve met her next-door neighbors, and they’re great. It’s a real bonus to have them there.”

Cinda’s brow creased with worry. “Dad, you’re not thinking of moving, are you?”

“I’m not sure,” Ted replied. “Emmie and I are trying not to plan too far ahead until we’re sure about what we want to do.”

“We’re very excited about moving forward,” said Emmie, “but we want things to be right for everyone.”

Ted beamed at her and faced Cinda. “Would you like a glass of wine? Emmie and I were just having one. We’ve decided to eat dinner here tonight.”

“No thanks. I have to take the boys to their music class. But I’ll have a cup of coffee,” said Cinda. “You can go on into the living room. I’ll make the coffee and join you.”

Emmie and Ted took seats on the couch next to each other.

Cinda came into the room and sat in a chair at one end of the couch, facing them. “I wanted to have some time alone with you two. When did you get here, Emmie?”

“Mid-afternoon. It takes a little more than four and a half hours to get here. I’m surprised that it was an easy drive. It’s even less time from Newton, where my daughter, Gemma, lives and works.”

“That works,” said Cinda. “Then it won’t take you long to get here whenever you want to see Dad.”

Emmie turned to Ted and waited for him to say something.

He got her silent message. “And it won’t take that long for me to go to Ellenton, where Emmie is.”

“Where do you live?” Emmie asked Cinda.

“I live in the town of Skaneateles in an older Victorian house that Ryan and I have updated,” she said. “We love it.”

“It’s great that you’re near family and work,” said Emmie. “I envy you that. Gemma, my younger daughter, lives a little over an hour and a half away. And Lauren and her husband live in New York City, which isn’t too far away. But it would be even better if they were closer.”

“I can see that living arrangements could be a problem for the two of you,” said Cinda.

“Where does Chase live?” asked Emmie.

“He lives down the road from here in a contemporary house,” said Ted. “So, my kids are close to me.”

Emmie realized what a relationship with Ted might cost her, with a move away from Ellenton. She gazed at him.

He seemed to understand and winked at her.

She settled back on the couch. One day at a time.

CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR

After Cinda and the boys left, Emmie said, “Let’s go outside and walk down to the dock. I haven’t been there yet.” She needed a chance to get hold of her emotions. She was certain Cinda was struggling with the idea of Ted marrying her. She hated the thought of having to move, but wanted Ted in her life. Why couldn’t things be easy?