Page 87 of Crazy for You

Because next week…next week was all about packing up and leaving Haven. Something she’d looked forward to for so long. But now that the time had come, it only made her feel sad. She’d made such great friends here. Not until last year, when Gabby came to town, had she truly had a best friend. But Carly, Mandy, Jessica, and so many others were important to her, too. She’d miss them all. Not that she couldn’t keep in touch with them from Georgia, but it wouldn’t be the same as dropping by each other’s places and going out for drinks on a whim.

And Ryan. She fell more in love with him every day. Should she tell him before she left town? Give him the chance to make this thing between them real? She was awfully afraid he’d push her away no matter what. He was a loner, a man who didn’t do relationships, and he still harbored some guilt about that stupid promise he’d made to Derek a million years ago.

Was it better to leave town under the guise of remaining friends and nurse her broken heart privately or to tell him everything and probably still leave town brokenhearted but with their friendship hopelessly shattered as well? She wasn’t sure yet. The decision would probably involve a girls’ night out and plenty of alcohol.

Smiling at the thought, Emma stood, brushing dirt from her knees. In front of her, the memorial garden rippled like a sea of flames as a breeze danced through the poppies and over the reflecting pool behind them. The memorial itself stood about ten feet in front of her, its semicircular design inviting visitors to step into its embrace as they located the names of their loved ones.

It was beautiful, exactly as she’d imagined it, maybe even better. She’d never been prouder of something she’d designed. It felt so right that this would be her last project here in Haven.

“It looks phenomenal,” Mary said from behind her.

“You think?” Emma turned, not having heard her boss approach.

Mary nodded, walking forward to stand next to Emma. “I knew you’d do us proud when we chose you to lead this project, and you certainly did not disappoint.”

“Thank you. That means a lot.” Mary and Lucas had taught her everything that she knew, and she admired them both so much.

“You must be so excited about your big move.”

“Not as excited as I thought I’d be,” Emma admitted as she and Mary walked to one of the benches beside the garden and sat.

Mary looked surprised. “No?”

Emma rested her elbows on her knees and stared at the red poppies still swaying in the breeze. “This has always been what I wanted, and I mean, it still is. I just didn’t expect to feel so sad about leaving.”

“Well, of course you do.” Mary nodded briskly. “It’s always hard to leave home.”

“It’s not just that.” Emma drew a deep breath and blew it out. “It probably sounds strange, but I always felt kind of lonely here. That was one reason I set my sights on Georgia for architectural design school. I wanted to start over somewhere new.”

“Oh, Emma.” Mary turned to look at her. “I had no idea.”

“I had lots of friends, but none of them felt like family, not until this year anyway. And now I do have people I love, and I’m leaving them all behind.”

“Ryan,” Mary said softly.

Emma nodded, her throat tight. “And Gabby. And our whole little group. They’re the closest thing I’ve had to family since losing my mom and Derek.”

“That certainly complicates things,” Mary agreed.

“But with you guys retiring, this was my chance to spread my wings,” Emma said. “And I don’t regret it. It’s time for me to start working toward owning my own landscape design business. That’s always been my ultimate dream, you know?”

Mary looked thoughtful. “Yes, and you’re right. It’s time for you to make that dream come true.”

Friday morning dawned bright and clear. Perfect weather for the memorial opening ceremony. Emma put on a purple dress and matching sandals. She added a little bit of curl to her hair when she blew it dry, and tried out the shimmery pink lipstick she’d bought last week and had been looking for an excuse to wear.

She met Ryan at the commons. So many people had already gathered for the ceremony: Ethan and Gabby, Mark, Trent, Jessica, Carly, Mandy, and pretty much everyone else she knew in town. Lucas and Mary stood near the memorial, chatting with the mayor.

“It looks amazing,” Gabby said when she caught sight of Emma. “I can’t wait to get a closer look after the ceremony’s over.”

“Thanks.”

Ryan leaned in to give her a kiss. “So proud of you, babe.”

Behind him, Mandy and Carly gave Emma a big thumbs-up, grinning from ear to ear. Emma mingled with her friends until Lucas and Mary motioned for her to join them up front. Terrence Clemmons, the mayor of Haven, greeted her with more warm praise for the project.

A podium had been set up in front of the memorial, and Mayor Clemmons stepped behind it now. “Good morning, everyone.”

A hush fell over the crowd. Emma stepped closer to Lucas and Mary, feeling somewhat self-conscious there behind the podium instead of out in the crowd with the rest of her friends. She ran her hands over the front of her dress nervously. Ryan caught her eye from across the crowd. He smiled, and everything inside her relaxed.

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