Captured Heart (A Garrett's Point Novel) (2 page)

Emma listened to Kat telling them about the upcoming Spring Festival and Parade. She loved this time of year. Looking around the diner, Emma smiled to herself. Several people she recognized were enjoying dinner. Pam Wilcox, owner of the Good Look salon sat with her husband Ben while Jen Baker from Casual Frills clothing store on Main St. looked at a menu with Phillip Taylor. Huh, Emma wondered if they had started dating. Mr. Dopkin’s, the local grocery store owner, sat at the counter eating dinner as well.

“Earth to Emma. Did you hear what I said?” Kat broke into the thoughts running through Emma’s head.

“No, sorry. Guess I was thinking. What did you ask me?” Emma pushed her nostalgia away for the time-being.

“Do we want to talk about the Birthday Bash tonight?” Oh boy. Emma didn’t know if that was such a good idea. Every time they broached this subject, it ended badly. They were all turning 30 this year, so they had the grand idea to throw one gigantic unforgettable birthday bash together. The more they talked about it, the crazier it got. Especially since all four of them still remained single for various reason, it was becoming more of an independent woman statement than anything.

“Maybe we could table that discussion until after Spring Break. I don’t feel like listening to you and Syd argue tonight.” She teased. “What is everyone doing for Spring Break week?” Typically they all left town to avoid the crazy spring break groups that flocked in over the next couple of weeks.

“The mountains are calling my name. Can’t you hear them? Remember the cabin we rented several years ago up near Charlottesville? Kevin and I are going to spend an extended weekend up there. I can’t wait.” Kat rubbed her hands together excitedly.

“You and Kevin, huh? Are things getting a little more serious?” Sydney asked Kat?

“Not really. He’s just a lot of fun to hang with, so I asked him to go. No strings. Just good company.”

“What about you, Ems? You headed up North with your parents?” All eyes turned to Emma as Sydney questioned her.

“Actually, I am not.” A goofy grin crossed her face. “I get to spend the week with Olivia while Dana and Jeff go skiing at White Mountain.” Olivia was her seven-year-old godchild. Dana Stanton and she had become the best of friends, both teaching at the local elementary school.

“I know how much you love Olivia, but how is that a break for you, taking care of a child. You do that every day at work with 20 kindergarteners.” Kat’s forehead wrinkled with frown lines.

“I don’t consider this work. Livie and I will have a blast, and Jeff and Dana need some alone-time.” Emma was almost giddy. “I’m staying at their place on the water. That’s a bonus. Their view of the river leading into the bay is unbelievable. I can sit out on the deck with my coffee and daydream all I want to.”

“Your head would get lost in the clouds if it wasn’t attached to your shoulders.” Kat teased. Emma wrinkled her nose and stuck her tongue out at Kat.

“Oh, it’s so good to see that you are learning new habits from your students as well as them learning from you.” Kat countered.

“That sounds like a lot of fun for both you and the Stanton’s, Em. Maybe we can do dinner one night. You and Livie can come in to the diner.” Melanie invited. “I’m not going anywhere. We will be way too busy for me to get away with all the spring break traffic.”

“Great idea, Melanie. Livie loves to eat here. I’ll check with you early in the week to see what your schedule looks like.” Emma turned to Sydney. She had been very quiet.

The sous chef, Carter, came out from the kitchen with a tray laden with breakfast food. “Order up.” He announced as he came to the table and started serving up plates full of amazingly appetizing food.

Emma waited until Mike had gone to turn back to Sydney. “Alright, Sydney. What gives?”

Sydney looked up from her plate of scrambled eggs she had been generously peppering. “What?”
 

“Don’t what me. First, you show up late. Second, you haven’t said more than 10 words. Third, you seem extremely preoccupied. Are you alright?” Emma’s genuine concern touched Sydney.

Melanie and Kathryn were now solely focused on Sydney, awaiting her response.

“I told you it has been a long day, but nothing I can’t handle. We have some issues with the city budget we are looking into. We just haven’t figured it out yet, but we will. You know how tense the council gets over budgets and expenditures.” Sighing, Sydney grasped Emma’s hand. “Thanks for the concern though. Nice to know you have my back.”

“Always!” the three friends chimed simultaneously. Smacking her hand on the diner table, Kat added for good measure, “And if I need to kick some council butt, you let me know. My kickboxing classes aren’t just for fun, ya know.”

Successful in lightening the mood, Melanie asked, “So, are you going to be able to get away for a few days despite the budget challenges?”

“Yes, thank goodness – unless something drastically changes. I am heading up to Waynesboro to a bed and breakfast a friend of mine from college owns.” The entire table sighed with envy. “She promises a massage and a hot tub are waiting for me with a chilled bottle of wine in the fridge. How could I turn that down? I’ve already packed my Kindle.”

“You make me consider dumping Kevin and tagging along with you instead.” Kat mumbles.

“That would be rude, and I am not in the market for any company, even yours dear Kathryn.” Sydney quipped. “All I want to do is have a few days to unplug and recharge.”

“Now that’s an oxymoron if I ever heard one.” They all laughed and dug into their overflowing plates of food.

They continued catching up on highlights from their week’s events. Nothing earth-shattering from any accounts, just the normal day-to-day life in a small town. It was an anchor for Emma, this friendship. They’d had their ups and downs, but it always came back to the true give and take of being there for each other.

Melanie interrupted the quiet clink of forks tapping on plates. “You do realize that we are going to have to talk about this big 3-0 bash if we really want to do it, and the fact that none of us are any closer to being married with children than we were last year.”

“Jeez, Mel, way to be a buzz killer.” Kat complained. “Who says I even want to get married? I think I’m pretty happy with things just the way they are in my life. I don’t need a man to make me happy, just provide an orgasm once in a while.”

“Kathryn Gilbert, you are in a public place with children present!” Emma gaffed with reprimand.

“Lighten up, Mary Poppins. It’s just an expression.” Kat snickered.

“Don’t start, you two.” Melanie interceded. “My only point is that we can’t wait until the last minute. I think the party is a great idea and will be a wonderful way to not only celebrate our thirtieth birthdays but our friendship as well.”

“She does that so nicely, doesn’t she?” Sydney quipped. “Casts the issue out, bobs it around and reels us back in – hook, line and sinker. You are good. Maybe you should thing about running for town council.”

Melanie threw her napkin at Sydney, hitting her square in the chest. “Next time it will be a rock.”

“Alright, Davis, don’t get your panties bunched up.” Most people didn’t get to see this playful side of Councilwoman Garrett. She was all business in public as she had to be. Oh, she was Miss Congeniality with the public. They loved her, but she had laser focus where the town and her responsibilities were concerned. At least on Thursday nights she could relax and just be Syd.

Dessert came, and they helped Melanie clear the table as they always did. Melanie wouldn’t let them pay for their dinners, so they always did a small part to pay her back and help clean up.

They took their turns hugging good-bye and wished Syd and Kat safe travels. As Emma pulled up to her little white cottage one street over from Main she felt content. She was happy. Even if in the deepest part of her heart and mind, she longed for someone to share it with, she was still grateful for what she had been blessed with, a career she loved and friends and family that were always there for her. She loved that she could pay that forward for Dana, Jeff and Olivia. This next week was going to be so much fun.

Chapter Two

Humming as her car skirted up the winding road that wrapped itself around Garrett’s Point, Emma smiled as she looked out across the Chesapeake Bay. The wind whipped her hair as she rode with her sunroof down, enjoying the spring breeze. Tucker, her yellow Labrador sat in the passenger seat with his head out the window. She never tired of the view. It was not only breath-taking, it was comforting. She’d always felt an inner peace just looking out across the water, as if she could feel the gentle rocking back and forth of the water.

Pulling into the driveway of her best friend’s home, she tooted the horn twice to alert the occupants to her arrival. Tucker barked with excitement. As she was gathering a duffle bag and tote from the trunk of the car, the front door swung open, and a flash of lime green darted toward her.

“Aunt Emma! You’re finally here.”

Emma dropped her bags in the driveway and bent down to hug her seven-year-old godchild.

“Yes, I am.” Giggling, Emma embraced Olivia, lifting her to twirl around, the little girl’s skirt parachuting out around her. “Are we ready to have some fun this weekend without your Mom and Dad?” Emma asked the little girl who smiled happily up at her.

Tucker danced happily around Olivia, vying for her attention. “Hi, Tucker!” Olivia hugged the dog, grabbing his front paws and danced around the driveway with him. Tucker barked merrily.

“Am I going to be able to trust the two of you alone for the weekend?” a tall raven-haired, green-eyed beauty stood at the front door entrance to the castle, as Olivia referred to her home.

The home’s southern plantation-style was mixed with the two-story colonial look to create a magnificent structure overlooking the banks of the Rappahannock and the visible connecting Bay; it’s white columns and yellow exterior warm and welcoming.

“I don’t know, Dana.” Emma looked down at Olivia. “What do you think, Liv? Are we going to be able to behave ourselves while your Mom and Dad are off skiing?”

Emma slung the duffle and tote over one shoulder and held Olivia’s hand with the other free hand as they walked up the stone path to the open front door. “I know. How about we promise to only eat one bowl of ice cream before bed instead of two?”

Olivia’s belly laugh shook her small frame, her long blonde hair catching the sunlight. “That’s just silly. My stomach doesn’t have room for two bowls of ice cream.” Letting go of Emma’s hand, she skipped ahead into the house. She could be heard yelling, “Daddy, Aunt Emma’s here.”

Slipping her arm around Emma’s waist, Dana hugged her friend. “I can’t tell you how much this means to Jeff and me, Emma. We adore Olivia, but having some time alone will be amazing.”

“Hey, you guys deserve it. I know it’s been a difficult year for the town, and Jeff has been under a lot of pressure as the town attorney. It’s been crazy at school with budget cuts.” Emma stopped just inside the front door and dropped her bags, turning back to Dana. “I’m so happy to be here for you and with Olivia. You know that.”

Quick short footsteps were followed by louder, slower ones down the hallway tile. “Hello, Em.” Jeff came over and kissed Emma’s cheek in a brotherly greeting. Olivia was a female carbon copy of her father. He was tall and lean but it was his dark blonde hair and sapphire blue eyes that captured your attention. “Are you certain you are up for this?” he asked as he caressed the hair on Olivia’s head. “Our princess can be a handful.”

Olivia cut her eyes over at her Dad and puckered her lips. “Daaaad.”

“Jeff, why don’t you put Emma’s things in the guest room next to Olivia’s while I give her the run down through the house? We need to get going shortly.”

“Your wish is my command, my lady.” He mischievously nodded -or rather semi-bowed really- to his wife as a servant might do and picked up the bags to head up the stairs.

“I can’t believe I have put up with that man for nine years.” Dana’s sparkling smile didn’t match her words. She adored Jeff and he her. Emma couldn’t imagine a marriage better matched. One day maybe…No. No thoughts of that today. She pushed those thoughts back to the far recesses of her brain and slammed the door shut.

“You know you would be lost without him, and besides, you have the perfect degree to handle two children in the house.” Emma teased.

Clasping Emma’s arm, Dana started moving toward the kitchen. “You are absolutely correct on both counts.”

Emma loved this house inside and out. It was open and spacious but decorated with warm brown, blue and grey tones that just made you immediately comfortable. The kitchen was a cook’s dream. Stainless steel appliances, wall to wall white cabinets and wrap-around brown marble countertops completed the workspace. Dana loved to cook for her family. The kitchen opened up to the deck with white French doors. Windows surrounded the back side that overlooked the river and bay.