Page 102 of Breaking Emily's Rules
“Of course we are!” Julia said.
“That goes for me, too. Why shouldn’t old broads like us have fun? That’s what I say!” Marjory lifted her glass.
“Thank you,” Grammy said. “Actually, it’s all because of Emily.”
“Me?”
“Look at everything you’ve done with your life. You’re about to be a licensed pilot. For a while, it seemed like maybe my life was close to being over, so I started doing a little housekeeping. You know, making sure my affairs were in order.”
There was a collective gasp in the room.
“No, no! I’m not dying. I think I was just bored. Thought I’d already finished with my life. I’ve had a long and busy one, after all. But since I’m still here, still kicking, I thought maybe it was time to do something new. And I haven’t dated anyone since Kennedy was president. Talk about trying something new.”
“And—George?” Was this an attraction that had always been brewing right under mine, Molly and Dad’s noses?
“I’ve always liked him.” Grammy smiled shyly.
“The truth is, it happened to me, too,” Marjory said. “No, I’m not dating anyone! I mean, I started thinking and, of course, you all know my relatives on my mother’s side came from Madrid. So, I started taking Spanish lessons at the local community college. And saving up for that trip to Spain. Someday. You inspired me, Emily.”
Luanne stood. “Nobody laugh, but I’m writing a novel. Historical romance. I always said I would. Now I’m going to do it.”
“Wonderful, Luanne!” Julia clapped. “All of you. You’ve done something you put off for a long time. And all because of genealogy.”
“But actually, I never wanted to fly before,” I said quietly.
“You’ve always tried a lot of different things on for size, Emily, and maybe this was just one of them. It seems like you do enjoy it, and Pilots and Paws is a worthy organization,” Grammy said.
It was, and Grammy knew I had already volunteered to help as soon as I was able. They’d have one less pilot available to them soon.
“Is there something else you’ve always wanted to do?” Luanne asked kindly.
Fall in love.Crazy breathless I-think-I’m-going-to-die-without-him love.
But you couldn’t plan that kind of thing, and it just had never quite happened for me. Until Stone.
For a long time, I’d made excuses. Thought maybe it could never happen to me like it had to Rachel. Because I was just too sensible to get swept up by a man like that. Which was another reason to stay away from good-looking men because they tended to do most of the sweeping.
Everyone was waiting for my answer.
I cleared my throat. “Actually, yes. And I did it.”
“What was it?” Luanne prompted.
I fell in love.
But instead it felt safer to say something else. “I learned how to really live.”
CHAPTER26
Molly
One baby washard enough, but two were about to break Molly in half.
As far as she was concerned, Dylan was being a stubborn baby when he continued to act as if he could do everything for himself without any help from Molly.Men.
“Don’t worry about me,” he said for the hundredth time as he hobbled around the kitchen. “Just take care of Sierra.”
She couldn’t get too irritated with him. He’d sided with her against Violet when she’d come, bags packed, to take over the caring of both Dylan and Sierra. Molly had left it to Dylan to kindly explain to Violet that it would be Molly taking care of Sierra in his home while he recuperated. As for Dylan, he claimed he wouldn’t need any help, but Violet would be welcome to come by any time she liked.
