Page 6 of The Vineyard Crush

That voice…it wrapped around me like a cool breeze on a summer day. I found myself frozen, unable to move as a vision of long legs, perfect curves, and mesmerizing hazel eyes materialized in my doorway. Emery - no, Emma, as she’d introduced herself to the kids - was breathtaking.

“I’m Cody,” my son replied, and I watched in amazement as the stunning woman greeted him with a wide, dazzling smile that had Cody giggling like a little schoolboy. I couldn’t blame him - if she looked at me like that, I’d be eating out of the palm of her hand.

“Hi Cody,” Emma purred, her voice like rich whiskey. “Is there a grown-up here? I’ve got some vanilla pancakes for you guys.”

At the mention of pancakes, Lily came barreling out from behind me, slamming into Emma’s legs. “Can I eat the pancakes?” she asked eagerly, looking up at the newcomer with wide, hopeful eyes.

I was just about to scold Lily for running to strangers and hugging them without any warning but Emma just laughed, ruffling Lily’s hair affectionately. “Of course, sweetie, if your mommy or daddy says you can.”

Lily’s face fell, and she took a step back, staring down at her shoes. “My mommy left. She doesn’t care if I eat them, so can I?”

Something in Emma’s expression shifted, and she crouched down, pulling Lily into a warm hug. I watched, Clenching my jaw at the hurt in my daughter’s voice, “Don’t be sad sweetie sometimes moms have a weird way of showing that they care. Everyone expresses their feelings in different ways. It doesn’t always make sense, but that doesn’t make it any less real or meaningful. My mom does it by yelling at me.” Emma responded.

“My Dad shows the same way!” Lily says and a slow smile appears on Emma’s face and a soft chuckle escapes her. I sag against the wall beside me at Lily’s playful tone.

She glanced up at Cody, giving him the same dazzling smile. “Can I get a hug as well?” Cody asked, and Emma readily complied, enveloping him in her arms.

Lily finally turned back to me, eyes pleading. “Daddy, Emma bought pancakes, can we eat them?”

Reluctantly, tearing my gaze away from Emma, I focused on my daughter and pulled her away from Emma and rested my hands on her shoulder as I kept her close to me. “I’m sorry, but who are you and why are you bringing pancakes to my house?” I asked, perhaps a bit more gruffly than I’d intended.

Emma’s expression faltered, and I instantly regretted my tone. “Oh,” she said, her voice shaking slightly. “I’m Emery Harrison, Ethan’s sister. Mum made pancakes and we had extra, so she sent me to give them to you.”

Ethan’s sister. Of course. Ethan was my best friend, the one who had been there for me through the divorce and the aftermath. He had come to Crestlake three years ago buying the property next door and turning it into a Vineyard. I felt a pang of guilt for not recognizing her sooner - Ethan had mentioned his sister a few times, but I’d never actually met her. And here she was, standing on my doorstep with homemade pancakes, clearly trying to make a kind gesture for my family.

“Right okay,” I said, trying to soften my tone. “Please, come in. The kids would love the pancakes.”

Emma’s face lit up with a smile, and she stepped inside, carefully handing off the container of golden, fluffy pancakes to Lily. “Here you go, sweetie. I hope you enjoy them.”

Lily beamed, immediately setting the container on the counter and rummaging through the drawers for plates and utensils. Cody hovered nearby, eager to dive in as well.

I turned my attention back to Emma, suddenly very aware of how disheveled and harried I must look, still in my pyjamas with my hair undoubtedly a mess. “I’m Ridge, by the way.” I extended my hand, and she grasped it firmly, her touch sending a spark of electricity through me.

“It’s a pleasure to meet you too, Ridge,” she said, her gaze holding mine for a moment before she glanced away, a faint hint of a blush coloring her cheeks.

“And who might you be?” Emma asks bending down to Avery strapped in her baby seat at the island. “She is Avery, she is my little sister,” Lily says just as Avery reaches out and pats her fat little hand on Emma’s cheek and giggles. “You’re so cute.” Emma says, kissing the little palm that was on her cheeks. And I almost fell in love with her at the softness in her tone and the tender look in her eyes. She turns and our eyes lock making me falter on my feet, I adjust the hat on my head and so I turned my attention to the other two kids of mine.

“Alright, you two, slow down and actually taste the food, huh?” I chuckled as Lily and Cody stuffed their faces

Lily looked up at me, her mouth full of pancakes. “Mmm, these are so good, Daddy!” she exclaimed, bits of food flying from her lips.

Cody nodded enthusiastically, swallowing his bite with a contented sigh. “Yeah, they’re the best!”

Emma laughed, “Slow down, little hurricane,” she teased, her voice warm and affectionate.

I couldn’t help but smile at the scene, feeling a sense of comfort and ease that I hadn’t experienced in a long time. I reach over to dab at the corner of Lily’s mouth with a napkin. It was as if Emma’s mere presence had managed to soothe the constant low-level stress and anxiety that had been weighing on me for a long time. “Please, have a seat,” I said, gesturing to the kitchen island. “Can I get you a cup of coffee or something?”

“No I..uh Got to go.” She says “But it was nice meeting you.”

Giving me a last smile and throwing a “see you around” over her shoulder she left, I watched the empty space where she had been, still able to catch a whiff of her fresh, citrusy scent. I let out a soft sigh, then turned my attention back to Lily and Cody, who were both staring at me curiously. I cleared my throat, “Let’s go, into the truck.” I say as Cody grabs his bag and lunch while Lily grabs her bag and run out. “Don’t forget your lunch, Lily.” I say.

As I strapped Lily and Avery into their car seats, Cody bounced excitedly in the passenger seat, already chattering away about his plans for the school day. With a final check that everyone was buckled in safely, I slid behind the wheel and pulled out of the driveway, heading first to Lily and Cody’s school. The drive was filled with the kids’ lively conversation.

Once we arrived at the school, I turned around to give Lily and Cody each a quick kiss on the forehead. “Alright, you two, have a great day. I’ll be back to pick you up later, okay?”

“Okay, Dad!” Cody chirped, already unbuckling himself and reaching for the door handle.

Lily’s face lit up with a bright smile, and she leaned forward to plant a sloppy kiss on my cheek. “Okay, bye Daddy! I love you!”

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