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She ended the call and left her phone on the dresser. There was really no reason to have it on her. She returned to the bathroom and looked at her reflection. Her eyes were still a little red. But hopefully no one would notice. She was going to meet Jake’s grown-up children. She really wished Genny would be there. She didn’t know Genny, but sharing the secret had brought them together. Genny wasn’t going to be there,though, and it was time to go.
When Ember drove up to the house, a young man with wavy brown hair that touched the tops of his shoulders and a face closely resembling his father’s, right down to the blue eyes, was standing on the porch. He came down the steps and approached the car as she got out.
He smiled at her. “I guess I’m the official welcome wagon. I’m Sawyer. Jake’s youngest son.”
Ember shook his hand. “Hi. Ember Madison. Jacob’s nurse.”
“Nice to meet you. Come on in. Granddad says he’s not up to dinner. So it’ll just be the five of us.”
“Should I go see him?”
“Nah. I wouldn’t do that. He’s sulking. He’s not too keen on the whole nurse thing.”
“Hopefully he’ll get past that.”
Sawyer opened the door for her. “I’m sure he will.”
Ember went in and Sawyer closed the door, then motioned toward the kitchen. “We’re pretty informal here. We eat in the kitchen unless it’s Thanksgiving or Christmas.”
“That’s fine. I love it.”
They went into the kitchen and Jake was at the stove stirring something. Sage was right next to him, giving him unwanted advice, and J.T. was leaning on the counter across the room with a beer in his hand. When he saw Sawyer andEmber, he set his beer down and pushed away from the counter.
He crossed the room. “Welcome. I’m J.T.”
Ember shook his hand. “Nice to meet you. I’m Ember.” She glanced at Jake, who turned to look at her.
Sage came over next. “I’m Sage. I’m really glad you’re here to help out with Granddad.”
“I hope I can get him back on track.” She glanced at Jake again, and he smiled at her.
“I hope you like Cowboy Stew.”
“Never had it. How does it differ from regular stew?”
“It doesn’t. It’s just made by a cowboy.”
Sage returned to the stove and picked up the spoon Jake set down. “And a cowgirl. And way too much pepper.” She tasted a spoonful. “Dad. It’s way too spicy.”
“Honey. There’s no such thing as too spicy.”
Sage shook her head and looked at Ember. “I hope you like spicy stew. Because Dad went overboard with chili’s and pepper.”
Ember tried not to let the emotion she was feeling overwhelm her again. Seeing Jake with his children was surreal. They’d spent many hours discussing the possibility of him being a father. And here he was with three grown children making stew in the family kitchen. She took a breath. “Hmm. Sounds like New Mexico stew.”
Jake took the spoon from Sage. “We like ourfood spicy up here in Montana, too.”
Sage shook her head. “Speak for yourself, Dad.”
Surreal or not, seeing Jake with his children was everything Ember imagined it would be. This was a wonderful, loving family. Sage was beautiful and must look like her mother, because she didn’t really resemble Jake. And J.T. looked like his grandfather. Her fragile emotional state was threatening to take over.
She took a breath to calm herself. “Can I help with anything?”
J.T. pulled a chair out for her. “No. Sit down. If those two are done arguing over the stew, it should be about ready.”
Sawyer went to the refrigerator and took out a beer, then looked at Ember. “Can I get you something to drink?”
“Um…”
