Cattail Ridge (25 page)

“None of what happened was her fault. If I hadn’t had her with me I don’t know how I would have gotten through things. She shouldn’t blame herself. Every bit of it was my fault.”

Eli touched her hand, which was resting on her knee. “Was it? Was it, really? Emma, imagine for one minute here that Sydney was the one we’re talking about. If she came to you, said she was in love, and from all appearances was happy, what would you do? Even if you didn’t like the man.”

She shuddered at the thought. “God, please, she’ll never go through that.”

“Of course we don’t want her to go through it. But if she did, and six years later, she was still holding people at arm’s length because she was afraid of being hurt, how would you handle it? What advice would you give her if she were the one facing this dilemma?”

She gave the question serious consideration. What would she do? “I don’t know. I guess it would depend on who she was dating. You never know someone really unless you live with them. Daddy’s always said that.”

“He’s right for the most part. But you do know Archer. You trust him with Sydney, even if you don’t trust him with your heart. Shouldn’t that tell you something? Or do you think he’d hurt Sydney, and you’re just hoping he doesn’t?”

The denial rose quickly, instinctively. “He’d never hurt her.”

Eli let that sink in. After a bit he asked, “Then why do you think he’d hurt you? Is he really deceptive, or are you holding on to the fear that Ted caused? Which, by the way, is a perfectly legitimate fear to have. It’s the holding on to it that causes you to lose sight of the love that’s standing right in front of you. That’s where the problem comes in.”

Emma looked away. “I don’t know.”

“Has your father ever talked to you kids about his father?” Eli’s tone changed, growing quieter.

“Some. I know it bothers him and we always left it alone because of that. I know he still has bad days because of the way he grew up, even now.”

“Hank was something of a difficult man. He was a good man to a point, but he couldn’t handle the truth about what Owen is. He didn’t understand it. Lucy never should have married him. I’m glad she did because otherwise Owen wouldn’t be here, but he paid the price for her choosing poorly. See, I do understand your concern. I really do, Emma. I just think you’re being a little too cautious here.”

She nodded. “What does Hank have to do with my situation?” Hank Campbell had died long before Sarah and Owen married, and Owen himself called his father by his first name. As a result, the kids had never called him grandpa or papaw. That was reserved for Eli.

“Your father almost didn’t pursue your mother because of the emotional scars Hank left on him. He was utterly convinced he was never going to find love, that he was, in fact, unlovable, and he was practically a hermit up on that mountain. That sounds dramatic but it was accurate. Those years after Hank died were a dark time for Owen. He moved out of the house when he was just a boy and Hank never asked him to come back. He called him a monster and had Owen half convinced that’s what he was. You know how he feels about shifting into the wolf even today. Hank is why.”

Emma’s heart broke. And she did know how Owen felt. Unlike most of the shifters in the family, he could choose between a wolf and a deer when he changed. He rarely chose the wolf, saving the beast for the times when he was struggling with something. He called it his dark side even though the rest of the family didn’t see it as such.

Eli wasn’t finished. “The man you know now, he didn’t really exist thirty-four years ago. He trusted no one aside from Amy and me, and our family. He didn’t start believing in himself until after he let your mother in, and that’s when he started seeing that not everyone in the world was intrinsically bad. Making that leap was hard for him to do, don’t think it wasn’t.”

“He still has trouble letting people in. New people, I mean,” Emma admitted. “But he thinks of Archer as another son. I guess that should tell me something.”

“Maybe it should. And maybe for now you need to have faith that the people who care about you most also have your best interests at heart. Let their faith in Archer help build yours. Talk to your father, your mother. Talk to Eliza. She’s pretty fond of the boy, too. But don’t close yourself off from a chance at true love. You deserve to be happy, Emma Jean.”

She sniffed back tears. “Maybe I don’t believe that. I took money from Ted, a payoff. That makes me little more than a wh-whore.”

“Oh, that’s complete and utter bullshit.” Eli scowled down at her even as he put his arm around her for a hug. “You made the turd pay for the care of his child. You made him accept his responsibility in the only way he was going to. It isn’t like you did it for yourself, now did you?”

“No.” She let out a breath. “If it had only been me I would have told him to… well, I would have simply walked away. But I couldn’t let him get away with disregarding her completely.”

“Your parents don’t know about that part of it?”

She shook her head. “They don’t know most of it. Just that he married someone else and that he did give me something for Sydney. John and Zanny, and now you and Nonny, are the only ones who know how much he gave me. And everything else. There are parts Zanny doesn’t even know, like the fight. There was no need to tell her.”

An owl hooted in the distance and Eli sighed. “You’re going to have to tell Archer, you know. If you want to have a future with him, given the way you blew up at him, you’re going to have to explain it all.”

“I know. He may decide he doesn’t want me after that.”

Eli chuckled. “Oh, I doubt that very much. Now do you think you’re ready to go back in? It isn’t the warmest weather out here.”

“No, it isn’t.” After they stood Emma hugged him. “Thank you. You’ve given me a lot to think about.”

“Just know you aren’t alone, and consider what I said. Talk to your folks. Don’t push Archer away. It will work itself out if it’s meant to.”

She hesitated outside the bedroom door. “You never did tell me what you think about Archer.”

Eli smiled and ran a thumb along the edge of the doorjamb. “I think he’s a good man who has endured some very adverse situations and somehow, the goodness in him has survived. Not many men could emerge as unscathed as he has.”

“So you think I should trust him?”

“I think the boy deserves to be happy as much as you do. And I think being with you and Sydney makes him happy. So take that for what it’s worth. Get some rest. We’ll see you in the morning.”

“Night.”

She checked Sydney when she went back upstairs and assured that her daughter was okay, crossed the hall and closed the door. She leaned back against it, her mind circling again and again to what Eli had said. The few short hours of sleep she’d gotten were wearing off and the cold had seeped into her muscles and bones. She quickly changed into a nightgown and got in bed, but she didn’t go to sleep for a long time. She had too much to think about.

Chapter Thirty-Two

T
he message light was blinking on Archer’s machine when he got home Wednesday from work. He hit the button and let the message play while he stripped out of his dirty work clothes.

“Hey, baby brother. Feel like some company this weekend? I thought I’d fly down to Lexington, rent a car or something. Spend some time with you like you’ve been asking me to. Call me back.”

Once he was showered, Archer did. “You serious about coming in?”

“If you’re serious about wanting me there.”

“Oh, I absolutely am. Forget renting a car, I’ll pick you up. Just let me know what time.”

He heard papers rustling. “There’s a flight that gets me there about nine Friday evening. Would that work for you, or is it too late?”

“Nah, I could use the drive time to think. Book it.”

“So things aren’t any better between you and Emma?” Logan’s concern was subtle, but it was there.

“Things are in stasis. Until she and Sydney have recovered a bit we agreed that hashing it out could wait. I was grateful for the respite, truth be told.”

Logan grunted. “How is the kid?”

“Better every day. I’ve got to go see her in a bit. I’ve not been since Monday.”

He’d just hung up with Logan when the phone rang. Amelia’s voice greeted him when he answered.

“Hey, you. Have you eaten yet?”

“No. Why?”

“A bunch of us are getting together at John and Zanny’s. I made chili. You in?”

Archer hesitated. “I don’t know, Pip. I was going to grab a bite, then swing by to see Sydney for a few minutes. I’m not really in the mood to socialize.”

“Well, if you want to see her you’ll have to come here. So come get a bowl of chili, spend a few minutes with her, and ignore the rest of us.”

Although things were less tense between him and Emma, Archer really wasn’t kidding–he didn’t feel like socializing. But he’d promised Sydney he’d come see her, and chili did sound good.

“Okay. What time?”

“Whenever you want to show up.”

“I’ll head that way.”

Ten-year-old Noah greeted him at the door. “Want to see the new books I got this weekend from Uncle Ben?”

“Sure.”

Instead of leading him upstairs Noah directed Archer to the couch.

“We’re down here since Syd’s still recovering. She and Eli went to wash their hands for supper. I waited so I could show you these.” He pulled three thick books out of his backpack and handed them to Archer with a reverence that was wholly unexpected in a child so young. “Have you read them yet?”

“No, I haven’t. How far have you gotten?”

Noah gave a sheepish shrug, and the dimples he’d inherited from Zanny flashed. “I’ve almost finished the second one.”

When word had gotten out through the family that Archer was learning to read, Noah had befriended him. For a while they’d been reading at the same level, which was something that had embarrassed Archer greatly. But when reading finally clicked, he’d started looking at books with nearly the same devotion Noah did. Archer thought a lot of the boy, who reminded him a great deal of Logan at that age.

“These are a couple years past your grade level, aren’t they?” Archer asked, reading the descriptions on the backs.

“Three years. But I’m not having to look up too many of the words.”

Zanny’s voice called Noah from the direction of the kitchen. “Come wash up, young man. There won’t be anything left.”

“We’d better go.” Archer handed the books back and Noah put them away.

In the dining room, Sydney’s eyes lit up when she saw him, and Archer stopped to tug on her ponytail.

“Will you sit beside me?” she asked.

“Sure.”

The atmosphere was casual as they ate. When Sydney asked him what he was doing that weekend, Archer smiled.

“My brother’s coming in Friday evening. I figured I’d show him around town.”

Her face showed her disappointment. “Oh.”

“Why? Did you want to do something?”

She nodded, then pushed her glasses up on her nose. “I was gonna ask if I could come to your house and play. That’s okay, though.”

Archer felt like he’d kicked a puppy. “Do you really think you’d feel like coming to my house to play? You just had surgery.”

“I would. I know I would.” She’d been staying with Zanny through the day while Emma was at work, with various family members stopping in to check on them.

He glanced at Emma, who held her hands up with a shrug. “She’s doing pretty well. Not up to Natural Bridge but by Saturday, I expect that she’ll be close to one-hundred percent. But you’re busy. Are you still coming to Daddy’s birthday dinner Sunday?”

Sydney gasped, her eyes wide behind her glasses. “You have to come to Grandpa’s dinner. There’ll be pie.”

Archer laughed. “Yes, I’ll be there. So will Logan.” He brushed a stray hair from her forehead. “Tell you what. If you feel up to it Saturday then why don’t I pick you up for a little while? Maybe not the whole day, but some of it.”

Her pleased smile was a little shy and she threw her arms around him. “Okay.”

He didn’t linger after eating, just long enough to spend some time with Sydney. As he was walking out to the truck Amelia called to him.

“Wait up.” She was pulling her jacket on as she caught up to him. “Let’s walk.”

“Pip…”

She grabbed his hand and tugged. “Just down to the park and back. I want to talk to you. You’ve been avoiding my calls.”

The park was about five minutes away, at the foot of the hill.

“Fine.”

She waited until they reached the low brick wall that surrounded the park before speaking. “How are you?”

“Fine. You?”

She casually slapped his arm. “Smart ass. You know what I’m asking.”

“What do you want me to say?”

“I don’t know. Tell me you’re not going to give up on my sister.”

He huffed out an aggravated breath and turned, heading into the park. He took a seat on one of the swings. “It isn’t up to me at this point. Ball’s in her court.”

“She told John and me a little about what she was thinking, and I get the feeling she left out a lot. If she ever explains it to you I think you’ll be able to forgive her. I hope so, anyhow.” She pushed herself off, swinging back and forth lazily. “So, Logan. I’ll bet you’re looking forward to having him here. I have to admit my curiosity is really starting to get the best of me.”

Archer laughed as she stretched out like a plank and let her momentum carry her in an arc. “You’ve heard enough about him over the years.”

“That’s the truth. There’ve been times I wondered if you invented him.” Her grin was cheeky, and classic Amelia. That was something he’d not seen enough of in the last few years.

Forcing himself to relax, Archer kicked off and swung for a few minutes. Their conversation turned to inconsequential topics and before long, she had him feeling almost normal.

A city police cruiser rolled to a stop outside the park gates, and its occupant shined a light in their direction.

“Uh-oh. We’re caught,” Amelia snickered. “Who’re we gonna call to bail us out? John or Daddy?”

Archer stood and held his hand out. “Come on, Trouble. Let’s go make peace.”

Fortunately he knew the officer, and after a brief conversation, he and Amelia were on their way back to John’s.

“I swear I’ve come closer to being arrested getting into situations with you than I have any other time in my life,” he told her as they reached his truck.

Amelia’s laughter pealed out into the night. “I do my best.”

Archer pulled her into a half hug, half headlock. “Thanks, Pip.”

“For what?”

“Making me smile. I’ll see you soon.”

She waved him off as he pulled out on the street and headed for home. He thought it was a damned shame that she hadn’t yet found someone to call her own. Yes, she was only twenty-two, but still. She was years more mature than her chronological age indicated. If anyone had ever been suited for family life, it was Amelia. She was a natural mother—a nurturer. As many times as she’d paired people up, he thought the universe would have balanced out by now and given her someone.

Maybe once things died down with all the sickness and other traumas they’d endured lately he’d get with her sisters and Zanny and see if they could find her someone. He might not end up having a happily ever after with Emma, but at least he could try to find one for Pip.

Logan looked tired but happy as he came down the concourse Friday night. He was only limping a little, and he’d gained back some of the weight he’d lost. Archer met him halfway and they exchanged a solid hug.

“How was the flight?” he asked, taking one of Logan’s bags. “And nice beard, by the way.”

Logan rubbed his cheek. “Thanks. Flight was okay. How was the drive?”

“Peaceful and full of contemplation.” Archer grinned at him and Logan snickered, shaking his head. “So what’s with the beard? You look just like Dad, you know.”

“Yeah, I noticed that. Looked up in the mirror the other day and about scared myself.” He shifted his bag to the other hand. “I felt like growing it. Never had a chance to before and wanted to see what it felt like. Did you eat yet?”

“No. I figured you’d come off the plane ravenous. I know a good place nearby, has excellent barbecue.”

“Lead the way.”

They got back to Hazard late, but with both of them being so used to getting up early, they didn’t sleep much past the normal time. By nine o’clock they were at Archer’s favorite diner, having biscuits and gravy.

He sat back, amused as the waitress flirted shamelessly with Logan to no avail.

“If you don’t bring him back in here so Nancy can meet him, you know she’ll never forgive you,” she warned Archer with a wink for Logan.

Archer laughed. “I know. I’ll make sure we come back.”

Once she moved to the other tables, Logan raised his eyebrows. “Come here often?”

“Enough. You know how it is when you’re a bachelor. Being at home all the time makes your mind do crazy things. You have to get out now and again.”

“So tell me again what we’re doing with Sydney?”

Archer stretched. “When I called Emma said she’s more than ready and able to do normal stuff, within reason. I figured we’d pick her up and I can take you on a tour. You’re going to love her. She’s a precocious, smart, sweet kid.”

“And her mother?”

He looked out the plate-glass window to the traffic going by on the road beyond. “Also precocious and sweet. And usually pretty smart, though she’s as stubborn as a damned mule. But she’s battling some demons right now. We’ll see how that turns out.” He eyed his brother’s scowl. “I know you want to rush in and protect me. I know that, and I appreciate it. But please don’t judge Emma because of what’s happened the last week or so.”

“So you still think there’s a chance for the two of you?”

“I have to. I don’t know who I’d be without her and Sydney in my life. I’m hoping I don’t have to find out.”