Page 72 of A Package Deal

I shook my head, a little disappointed that I might not have to confront Roger after all. I had some frustration building that would have been nice to get out in the form of an old-fashioned fistfight. “It happens in business.”

When she nodded and looked like she might be spinning back to the door of her truck to leave, I held up a finger. “Hold up. I have something for you.” I dug in my pocket, grabbing the little box I’d had there for two days, just in case I saw Em. I pulled it out and held it toward her in the palm of my hand.

Her jaw dropped and her gaze flew to mine. “What is this?”

“Look familiar?”

She looked back down at the box, a hand flying to her mouth. A tear slipped out and rolled down her cheek. Just like last night, it about buckled my knees to see this woman cry. Especially because I couldn’t do anything about it. Couldn’t take her in my arms. Couldn’t whisper that I’d make everything all right. Couldn’t sweep her off her feet and spend the rest of my life making sure she never had a reason to cry ever again.

With shaking fingers, she plucked the box from my palm and flipped it open to reveal the cross necklace I’d had cleaned and shined after I got it back from Cayden. The tears were coming in earnest now and I wasn’t sure just how long I could withstand the pull to console her.

Turned out, I didn’t have to make that decision. With a watery yelp, she clutched the box to her chest and threw herself into my body. On instinct, I put my arms around her and closed my eyes, breathing in her lemon scent, layered with sawdust. I patted her back and forced myself to disengage, my hands wrapped around each arm as I held her away from me.

“I want to call Anton. I gave him all the pictures from the private detective. Cayden’s doing some illegal things and the whole town has a right to know there’s a swindler in their midst. Are you okay with me calling your brother?”

She swiped at her eyes and her nose, still staring at me with unasked questions. “Y-yes. Thank you for consulting with me about it first.”

I nodded. “I may be an old dog, but I can be taught new tricks.”

Em tipped her head to the side and smiled at me, all the while tears kept running down her cheeks. I leaned down one last time and kissed her on the forehead before stepping back.

“I’ll go give him a call.”

Em watched me walk backward toward the house, never taking her gaze from me. Pretty sure the visual of her crying with that necklace clutched to her chest would be burned into my memory.

“Wait.”

I froze, heart in my throat. Tell me you love me too. Just say the word and all this can be put behind us.

“I need to grab the goat-dog.”

It took me a second or two to understand, wondering why she’d want Thistle or Cleveland. Then I remembered the stuffed animal I’d gotten Georgia. Disappointment flooded my system like a tsunami, but I forced myself to nod and hold up a finger before bounding up the steps and into the house. Pain gripped my chest the whole way back to the guest room where the stuffed goat sat on top of the makeshift bed Georgia had been sleeping in. I grabbed it and the unicorn I’d won at the carnival and battled back the sting in my eyes. Goddamnit this was miserable.

Em was in her truck when I stepped back outside. Each step in her direction was agony. There was so much I wanted to say, things I could offer to do, even straight-up begging wasn’t too over the top right now. I didn’t do a damn thing but hand her the stuffed animals and step back with a fake smile.

“Take care of yourself, Em.”

I could see it on her face: the confusion, the doubt, the plea in her eyes for me to bridge the gap, just like I’d always done. But Mom’s words rang in my head. It wasn’t up to me to rescue her. When she came to me again, I wanted it to be because she was sure of herself and her instincts. I wanted her answer to be a clear and resounding yes, not a muddled and unsure maybe.

With my heart breaking, I turned and walked back in the house to call Anton. He listened to what had happened with Cayden and confirmed he received the photographs via email. He was already clearing his schedule for the next day. He planned to take it all to the local cops and let them deal with it as they deemed necessary. Anton was optimistic that this would shut down Cayden’s business and make him think twice before ever trying to get custody of Georgia again. No judge would overlook criminal activity.

“Hey,” I added at the end of our conversation. “Would you try to warn the woman first?”

There was a pause. “His new fiancée?”

“Yeah. Em would want her to know what was about to happen so she could get out. Just in case it turns ugly, you know?”

Anton chuckled darkly. “Yeah, that sounds just like Emmy. I’ll talk to the woman first and then take everything to the police.”

“Thanks, Anton.”

“Anytime.” He paused again before speaking. “I’m pulling for you, man. You make my sister happy and I have a lot of respect for you. If she knows what’s good for her, she’ll be back before you know it.”

I looked out at the front yard, missing that ugly truck parked there, leaking oil onto the gravel drive. “I hope so.”

CHAPTER THIRTY-THREE

Emmerleigh

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