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“That’s nice,” said Cinda, sounding tired.

In the den, Cinda was stretched out on the reclining chair, her feet raised high. When she saw them, she said, “Hi, Daddy. I’m glad you’re here. Emmie, thank you for helping with the boys. Ryan told me how you stayed with them, allowing him to be at the hospital with me.”

“I was happy to do it. You’ve done a fine job of raising them. They’re super boys.” She realized both boys were looking up at her with wide eyes. “It’s true, guys.”

Smiling, they nodded.

“How are you feeling besides a little shell-shocked?” she asked Cinda. “We didn’t see the accident, but we certainly heard it. I can’t tell you how relieved we were that it wasn’t worse than it was.”

Ted gently ruffled Cinda’s hair. “You had us pretty scared, pumpkin.”

Cinda sighed. “I don’t know what I’m going to do about taking care of the kids. I’ll be on crutches for the next few weeks. I can do some work from home, but the kids need to be taken to school and their sports practices and games.”

“Don’t worry about it,” said Ted. “Emmie is staying for an extra day or two until we get a schedule set up. I’ll hire an aide to help you, and I’m sure Halona will be willing to help.”

Tears filled Cinda’s eyes. “I’m mad this happened. I’d hoped to get away with Ryan for an anniversary trip. I guess we’ll have to wait until next year.”

“Just get some rest, honey,” said Ryan, squeezing her hand. “We’ll get things sorted.”

“I’m pretty wiped out,” Cinda admitted. She leaned back and closed her eyes.

Emmie signaled the boys to leave, and they followed Ted and Ryan out of the den and into the kitchen.

“You boys see how Mommy is hurt,” said Ryan. “We need to make sure we help her.”

“See you later,” Emmie said to the boys. She turned to Ryan. “I’m going to go to Ted’s house to clean up and change clothes. But I’ll be back to make dinner for you. Tomorrow, I can make some meals to freeze or simply go shopping for things Cinda especially likes.”

“That would be great,” said Ryan. “I have to go into the dealership for a bit tomorrow for my usual Monday meeting.”

“It all sounds workable,” said Ted. “Let us know if we need to pick up anything before we return.”

“Will do,” said Ryan. “I’m going to take a nap on the couch beside Cinda. She can wake me anytime.”

Emmie and Ted left the house and headed to his lake house.

“You must be beat,” Ted said, glancing at her.

“I am,” she admitted. “Maybe I’ll take a nap before we go back to Cinda’s house. First, I’m going to take a shower and get out of these clothes.”

“It’s been a couple of scary days. Until I could see Cinda sitting up and talking to us, I imagined the worst. I didn’t get much sleep myself.”

As Ted drove into the driveway, Emmie got a fresh look at the house. It had seemed so big, almost overwhelming, when she first saw it. Now, she saw it as a welcoming family home. For the first time, she could see herself living here. But there was a lot to work out before that ever happened.

###

Hair still wet from the shower, Emmie stood in the master bathroom gazing at herself in the mirror. Even though there were blue shadows beneath her eyes, she looked, well … happy. An unmistakable glow emanated from her face.

After Earl died, she thought she’d never want to find love, go through the pain of losing someone that dear to her. Now, she knew that she, like others, needed love in her life. It’s what made her life complete.

She dried her hair and slipped on the terry robe she’d taken over as hers. Then she tiptoed into the bedroom where Ted was sleeping atop the king-sized bed.

He stirred when she lay down next to him, then he let out a groan of pleasure, and she spooned behind him, wrapping her arm around him.

Soon, she slept too.

###

The sound of Ted’s cell phone awakened her.