Wildflower Season by Michelle Major

Author:Michelle Major
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: HQN Books
Published: 2021-03-16T19:31:35+00:00

CHAPTER FIFTEEN

EMMA CHECKED THE clock on the stove as she walked through the darkened kitchen toward the back door the following night.

“Thank you for not letting Holly give up on me,” a voice said from the shadows.

She startled and raised a hand to her chest. Flipping on the pendant light above the sink, she turned to the breakfast nook to see Brett at the table. He sat forward, his hands cupping a tumbler of dark liquid.

“I thought everyone was asleep. Probably need to get used to not being alone in the house since I hope to have a full inn most nights.”

He gave a small laugh. “Believe it or not, I only sleep well when Holly’s next to me. My personal security blanket. I tried to convince her to stay over, but with my mom across the hall, there was no way.”

“That would be a lot for Holly to handle.”

“Everything about my life is a lot to handle,” he told her. “I’m wondering if any of it is worth the effort.”

“Holly thinks so.”

“You’re the kind of woman my mom would have chosen for me.”

“I’d make a terrible political wife.” Emma didn’t bother to deny that she’d be right for him on paper. The old version of her, anyway. “Although it would have made my mom happy, as well.”

“And we’d be miserable.”

“I already had an unhappy marriage,” Emma admitted. “Been there, done that. I’ve stopped living for my mom’s benefit.”

Brett lifted his glass in her direction. “I don’t know whether to be jealous or inspired.”

“Neither. Life is complicated no matter what.”

“Speaking of complications...” He gestured to the set of keys in her hand. “I’m guessing you’re going to see Holly’s brother-in-law.”

“The infuriating man only has a landline so I can’t even text to check in with him, and he’s not answering his phone this weekend.”

“Holly told me how much her sister’s death had affected her mom, but I didn’t realize the extent of it until that scene yesterday.”

“Cam knew,” Emma said quietly. “I think it’s part of why he keeps such a low profile in town and definitely why he didn’t want his involvement in repairing the inn widely broadcasted.”

“Why wouldn’t he move away?” The question sounded rhetorical, but Emma answered, anyway.

“This is his home. It’s the place he was happiest and holds his memories with Dana. I don’t think it’s as simple as leaving. At least for him.” She gripped her keys tighter. “Your mother handled it better than I would have expected.”

“She’s good in a crisis.” Brett nodded. “As twisted as this sounds, I think understanding that facet of Holly’s life made her attitude soften a bit. I’m not sure how long it will last, but she’s been lovely and supportive to both of us this weekend.”

“Lovely and supportive.” Emma tried not to cringe. “All it took was Karen Adams practically having a breakdown in my living room.”

Brett sighed. “Right. Now you understand why I’m here and not in bed. I need something to help calm myself.”

“I understand that need, but I think counting sheep works almost as well.

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