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Getting The Mason Jar and MJ2’s name out there with a bunch of city people was beyond anything I’d ever imagined. I held my hand out. “We’ll make it happen.”
Penn’s grip was firm, and his smirk slid into an actual grin. “Now let’s get down to details.”
“Lay it on me.”
I wished Emma was here to help me out, but I’d handled things before her and would do so again if I had to.
I’d been building The Mason Jar for years and this was just one more milestone. Even if it felt a little hollow this time.
We spoke about what Penn was looking for, the guest list, and the day he was looking to have the party. The very end of August. I’d managed to throw a decent party in a week, I should be able to do this one in a few months.
By the time Penn left, as well as signing me over a very healthy deposit, the sun was low in the sky and reflecting on the lake. Still no reply from Emma to my texts.
I stopped in the kitchen for a big container of her favorite fries, then checked in with Esther. For once, the evening shift was decently staffed, and things were as calm as they could be for a steady dinner rush.
“I’m going to head over to Emma’s to make sure she’s okay. I don’t like how she left last night.”
Esther was updating the marker board for tables and plugging in a handful of pagers. “Oh, good. We’ve been wondering about her and that little bean of hers.”
“Yeah, she’s not answering texts.”
“Keep us updated.”
“Will do.” I headed out to the parking lot and aimed down the side path where I’d parked my truck.
I wasn’t one of those guys who’d ever used the read notifications on my phone, but right now, I wished I was. I didn’t even know if she’d read my damn text. I just hoped it wasn’t anything too serious.
Babies got sick so easily.
The drive to her apartment complex took less than ten minutes. I didn’t see her station wagon in the parking lot. Maybe Clint had taken it to get groceries.
And maybe I was acting like a fool.
I still got out and buzzed her apartment, even though I knew there’d be no answer. Taking a chance that her neighbor was home, I buzzed the number across from Emma’s place.
It took a minute for a reply. Long enough, that I almost turned away.
“Yes?”
The older voice made me curse my own impulsive nature. “I’m sorry to bother you, ma’am. My name is Mason, and I’m looking for Emma.”
“Oh, she’s not here. Here, let me buzz you in.”
I pulled open the door and found a woman who didn’t even clear five feet. She was waiting just outside of her door.
“Sorry to bother you, Mrs. Turner.”
“Oh, no bother. My grandson Jensen talks about your place all the time. I’m afraid Emmaline left this morning. A great big man came and picked her up. I don’t think I’ve ever seen someone so big in all my years, and I’ve been on this Earth for eighty-seven of them.”
Who the hell picked her up?
“Are you sure you don’t mean her brother?”
“Oh, heavens no. I’ve met Clint and Kitty plenty of times. He even fixed up my Roxy when she got into my yarn. I keep telling her it isn’t a chew toy, but she doesn’t listen to me.”
A small dog yapped from behind her through the door.
“See, there she is. Noisy as a Rottweiler and the size of a teacup, that’s my Roxy.”
