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Drawing in a deep breath, she lifted her gaze to meet his kind eyes. “We’ve ended things, Grandpa. It’s for the best.”
Liam frowned. “The best for who, Emma? I thought he made you happy.”
“He did, but that’s not the point. I had to break up with him.”
Liam reached over and placed his hand over hers, giving it a gentle squeeze. “And how did you come to that decision, sweetheart?”
Tears welled up in Emma’s eyes. “Because I don’t want to come between Luke and his son.”
Liam scooted his chair closer to Emma and pulled her into a hug. “Hey, I’ve got an idea. I think the rain might hold off for a while. Why don’t we take the boat out and ride around the cove?”
Emma nodded, leaning back to give him a watery smile. “That sounds nice.”
After lunch, they approached the small motorboat, its hull gently rocking by the dock. Riley, always excited for a new adventure, was the first to leap in, with Emma and Liam following suit. She was thankful he hadn’t pushed her to talk more about Luke, or tried to convince her she was overreacting.
The boat roared to life, and they cruised along the coast, weaving through the marshes and past Hadley Cove. The salty sea breeze ruffled Emma’s hair, reminding her of the simpler times when her grandfather would steer through these very waters and she, a little girl, would watch the seagulls. Every trip ended with her grandmother on the dock, draping a soft, cozy blanket around her shoulders.
Gazing out, Emma noticed the water’s transformation as the sun began to lower. The once-vibrant blue sky turned into deep shades of orange and crimson, painting a stunning mosaic on the horizon. Nearing Bridwell Bay, another boat glided by them, its passengers waving in friendly greeting. The fleeting interaction, alongside the boat ride down memory lane, deepened Emma’s appreciation for today’s escape.
Dark clouds gathered as the day wore on, mirroring the storm brewing in Emma’s heart. They raced back against the looming rain. Raindrops started splattering just as they reached the dock. The droplets quickly turned into a downpour, causing them to scramble out of the boat. They ran across the yard, shoes squelching in the mud, up to the porch, and then inside.
“Since you made lunch, how about I make dinner?” Liam asked.
Emma grabbed the throw off the back of his couch and wrapped herself in it as her teeth chattered. “That sounds good.”
Liam always knew just what Emma needed. Entering the kitchen, she caught a whiff of something delicious cooking on the griddle. It was the familiar scent that used to fill the house when her grandmother was alive—Liam had made blueberry pancakes.
Emma smiled, touched by the simple joy he brought her.
“Have a seat,” Liam said. “I know these aren’t as good as the ones your grandmother made, but I think they’ll do for now.”
“They look great, Grandpa. I don’t think anyone makes them as good as she did.”
“And no one ever will.” Liam gave her a wink and fixed each of them a plate before walking over to the table.
As they ate, he tore off a piece of his pancake and fed it to Riley. “Don’t tell your momma,” he whispered behind his hand.
Emma chuckled as she wiped syrup from the edge of her lip.
“How’s your dog treat business doing?” Liam asked.
“Really great,” Emma said. “My orders have doubled over the last month.”
“That’s incredible, dear. If you need any help, I could come and help you bake, Em. I am retired, you know.”
“That’s nice of you to offer, but you’ve done enough for me throughout the years. I’ll think about it though.”
“Well, I’d do anything for you, sweetheart. You know you’re my favorite granddaughter, right?”
Emma burst into laughter, shooting her hand up to cover her mouth. “I’m your only granddaughter. But I guess that does have its perks.”
After dinner was finished and they cleaned up, Emma decided it was time for her and Riley to hit the road.
As they neared the door, Liam pulled her aside. “If you love Luke, you should be with him. You deserve to be happy. You know, Emma, when I was younger, after I met your grandmother, circumstances pulled us apart. For a while, it felt like the world had ended. Then we found each other again and everything changed.”
A lump formed in her throat as she looked back at him. “I don’t know, Grandpa. I do still love him, but it just feels impossible.”
Liam placed a comforting hand on her shoulder. “And often it feels that way. Sometimes, what seems impossible is just one chapter of life. Life isn’t about rushing through the pages but experiencing every word, every moment. If Luke is meant to be in your story, he will be, in one way or another.”
