Page 95 of My Grumpy Fire Chief Next Door
“You know why?” I ask, not daring to meet her gaze.
“I do, the whole town probably knows the reason,” she says, settling across from me with her own cup. “It’s about who you are, isn’t it?”
I press my lips together. “Do they hate me?”Deep down, I want to ask if she doesn’t hate me.
She gives me that look, half exasperated, half sad. “They’re not idiots. They’re curious. But they’ve seen you bring cookies to the T-ball games and finger paints to school," she squeezes my hand, firm and sure, "they know who you arenow, Kate. And they like her.”
I take a sip of the tea. It burns all the way down, but I welcome it.
“Don’t you mind? Ava and Rachel must be mad at me.”
“I definitely don’t mind having a rich heiress as a friend.” Emily’s voice is playful and teasing. “And if there’s something Ava and Rachel are mad about, it’s because you’ve been hiding away and they miss you.”
“They do?” I can’t keep the surprise out of my voice. I thought they would be angry.
“Yes, we all do.” Emily lays a reassuring hand on mine. “You don’t know how glad I am that you’re here.”
My chest swells in happiness but sinks again in the same breath.If only Noah could come around, too.
“He’ll come around.” Emily’s voice softens, and it’s like she’s reading my mind.
There’s no need to deny, I’ve come to accept that Emily has her way of knowing things. So, I just shake my head. “I don’t think he will.”
She leans back in her chair, studies me like she’s watching something fall apart in slow motion. Then, quietly, she says, “You’re in love with him, aren’t you?”
The words hit harder than I expected, and I look down at my tea, the herbs floating like pieces of something broken. I don’t answer. I don’t have to.
I really do love him.
She squeezes my hand, her hand soft and warm over mine. “Noah loves you too, and if there’s something I know, it’s the fact that Noah doesn’t love halfway, Kate.”
I’m finally able to raise my head, and Emily continues, “When he lets someone in, that’s it. Just give him time.”
I blink hard, trying to will the tears away. “I don’t think time is the problem.”
Emily smiles softly and knowingly. “It’s never just time. It’s fear. It’s hurt. It’s pride.” She shrugs. “But love always gets louder than all that.”
She stands and moves to the cabinet, rummaging around until she finds a small cloth bundle. “Dried valerian and lavender. Brew it tonight and sleep for real.”
I take it from her, the crinkle of the herbs soft in my palm.
She rests a hand against my cheek as though I’m still a child. “Leave Parker here. Maddox could use the company, and you look like you need to remember how to breathe.”
“Are you sure? I don’t want to impose.” It sounds nice to actually sleep, but I won’t inconvenient Emily for my comfort.
“I’m doing this for a selfish reason, actually.” She leans in like she’s sharing a secret. “Maddox tends to forget I exist once Parker is around, I could use the time to get some work done.”
I smile and nod, swallowing the lump in my throat.
“Thank you, Emily.” I reach out for a hug. “I’ve never had a friend like you, I don’t take it for granted.”
Emily hugs me back warmly before shooing me away and for the first time in days, I don't feel so alone.
“Now, go. I’ll bring Parker in the morning.”
“Thank you,” I say again.
As I step toward the door, the sound of kids laughing floats in from the backyard, and I force myself to breathe in and out.
