Captured Heart (A Garrett's Point Novel) (9 page)

“Of course I don’t mind. Go on, please. We’ll be right here. Call the house if you need assistance.”

Jack headed out and down the path that Emma would have taken on her usual walks. It was dusk now. What if something had happened to her? Something akin to fear gripped him. He walked a little faster. Fifteen minutes into his walk, he found her. At first he thought something must be wrong as she was curled up at the bottom of a tree.

His heart rate increased as he sped up to reach her. Kneeling beside her and not knowing what was wrong, he gently shook her.

“Emma.” His hands gripped her shoulders gently trying to rouse her. “Emma, its Jack. Can you hear me?” His hand gently caressed her cheek.

Slowly her eyes fluttered open, and she shot straight up into a sitting position. Unfortunately Jack had been bent over her at the time, so when she did their heads collided.

Both holding their foreheads they spoke at once. “Jesus, Emma!” “Ouch, Jack!” they sputtered simultaneously.

Continuing to rub her sore head, she looked up at Jack who was now standing beside her. “What are you doing out here, Jack?” She was still sleep-dazed.

“Looking for you. You’ve been gone for over four hours. I thought something had happened to you.” he growled at her. “What the hell are you doing sleeping out here where anyone could have come upon you?” he practically shouted.

Emma stood very slowly, anger seething. Her eyes a sapphire blue when she looked up at Jack.

“In the first place, I needed some fresh air. Secondly, I came out here to read Dana’s letter in the peace and quiet.” She took a step closer to him, her cheeks flushed in her agitated state. Poking her finger into his chest, she finished “Thirdly, I must have dozed off while sitting here reflecting on Dana’s letter. I haven’t slept well the past three nights, but I don’t have to explain myself to you either.” She practically spit as she said the words through gritted teeth.

She was furious, and her response egged on Jack’s already dark mood.

“If you weren’t so irresponsible I wouldn’t have to be out here looking for you when Olivia wanted you, and leave your friend Sydney at the house watching her while I’m out here trying to see if you had been hurt.”

She stepped back as if he had slapped her. “How dare you call me irresponsible!” she shouted. Emma never shouted. She stopped herself from continuing the flood of angry words that were on the tip of her tongue. She was not a proponent of throwing angry words at each other. Once said, they could never be taken back.

After several deep breaths to collect herself she carefully said, “Jack, I needed a few minutes to myself. If I scared Olivia, I will explain to her what happened. As to being irresponsible, I won’t justify that with a response at this time, but know that I don’t appreciate your tone nor your attitude today or now.” and she walked away, heading back toward the house.

Dumbfounded at the change in her composure and feeling censored by her swift reply, Jack wasn’t letting it go that easily. “Wait a minute. I’m not finished talking to you.” He said as she bounded up the path.

He reached for her arm to prevent her from continuing and she turned on him. “Now you want to talk, Jack? I tried talking with you on several occasions today. You shut me out.”

She made a point of looking down at his hand grasping her forearm and back up to him, warning him to release her arm without having to say anything. He followed her gaze and abruptly released her.

“You may be used to people doing what you tell them to do, Jack, but I’m not one of them. When you want to treat me with respect and have an adult conversation about some very serious decisions, then we’ll talk, but not right now. Right now, I don’t wish to speak to you.”

She reached the gate into the yard and continued into the house where Sydney and Olivia were in the kitchen. Sydney had fixed a plate of food for Olivia and they were discussing favorite desserts at the moment.

When Emma entered, Olivia hopped down from the breakfast bar to greet her. Hugging her legs, she asked, “Aunt Emma. What took you so long? You went for a long walk.”

Sydney was amazed at what she saw. Emma was obviously furious. Sydney had never in the years they had been friends seen Emma like this. She hid it well for Olivia’s benefit, but Sydney knew pissed when she saw it. Emma was the eternal optimist and the voice of reason in their group. Jack Denton had apparently found a different button to push. Interesting, thought Sydney. Very interesting.

Oh, she hadn’t seen anything yet.

“I’m sorry, Liv. I was so tired, I fell asleep at our rock and tree spot.” She gave Olivia a squeeze and took a step back.

Jack caught up and entered the kitchen. He looked a little rough around the edges to Sydney, his hair was windblown, his cheeks were reddened, and she didn’t think it was the sea air that had caused it.

“Listen, Olivia. I am going out for a little while. Since I see Sydney has fed you, I will leave it to Uncle Jack to make sure you get in the shower and your pjs, okay? Show him where things are at if he needs help. Can you do that for me?” Olivia said she could, and Emma with narrowed eyes and a purposeful stride, turned to Sydney.

“I’ll grab my purse and meet you outside.” Emma practically ran up the stairs to her room to fetch her purse and keys.

“Olivia, why don’t you get the picture you drew so you can share it with Uncle Jack?” Sydney suggested.

As Olivia flounced into the living room, Sydney quickly walked over to Jack. “What the hell did you do to Emma?”

“Me? I didn’t do…” Just then Emma came down the stairs and Olivia returned with drawing in hand.

Sydney gave Jack her evil eye that had made councilmen shrivel. She said good-bye to Olivia and followed Emma out the front door.

Emma was waiting for her. “Em, what’s going on? Where are you going?” Sydney was very concerned for her friend.

“I just need some air, Syd. Jack is being a boneheaded jerk, maybe rightly so under the circumstances, but I’ve had enough today.” Sighing, she let Sydney in on what the lawyer had said.

“Dana made Jack and I joint guardians of Olivia. On top of that, they left me the house, which is paid for to raise her in.” Emma waited for Sydney’s response.

“Holy crap, Emma.” was all she said.

“I know. To top it off, Jack has closed up, and we haven’t talked about it yet, so I don’t know what the plan is or will be; hence, I just need a break, okay?”

“I’ll ride with you. I don’t think you should be alone right now.” Sydney pleaded.

Hugging her forever sensible friend, she said, “Syd, I promise I’ll call if I need you. I just need to clear the head a little. That’s all. In fact I’ll text you later when I get home.”

Off she went, leaving Sydney standing in the driveway. Sliding in to her silver beamer, Sydney voice dialed first Melanie then Kathryn and updated on what Emma had just informed her. She was worried. Emma definitely wasn’t herself she told them. Keep your phones close just in case.

People had a tendency to do out of character things when under extreme duress. Sydney was afraid this might be one of those times.

Unfortunately, she was right.

Bottoms Up Bar & Grill sat on the edge of town and was the local hangout for friendly drinking and a competitive game of pool. Emma had only been inside a few times for bachelorette parties mostly. She didn’t have a high tolerance for alcohol, so she didn’t frequent the place. Mel’s was more her speed.

Tonight was a different story. As country music drifted in and out of earshot as people came and went, Emma contemplated whether she really wanted to go in or not. She decided the Bottoms Up was just what the doctor ordered for what ailed her.

When she swung the wooden door open the first thing that assaulted her senses was the smell of peanuts and low amber lights. Music blared from the juke box in the corner, crooning about honky-tonk neon lights.

She recognized various people scattered throughout the bar, Dan Harper and Grady McCloud sat at the bar while Councilmen Ted Murphy and his wife sat at a table in the back. Taking a fortifying breath, Emma decided a seat near the Sheriff probably wasn’t a bad idea.

She slid onto a stool at the end of the bar, trying not to feel so out of place.
Relax, Em. You know all of these people. It’s just a drink amongst friends.

“What’ll it be?” the bartender asked as he moved down the bar to stand in front of Emma. She looked up into the face of one of her student’s parents. “Hey, Miss Heart. Didn’t realize it was you. What can I get you to drink?”

“Hi, Joe. How about a  Long Island Iced Tea?” She couldn’t stand the taste of beer. Reminded her of rotten corn.

Grady had turned at the mention of Emma’s name. Surprise at seeing her here when he knew this wasn’t her kind of place was replaced with concern. His warning radar was blinking off the charts.

He was two bar stools away from her. He figured he’d sit and watch for a while. Make sure she didn’t get into any trouble, but just to be on the safe side, he pulled out his cell phone and sent a text message to the other three members of what he liked to refer to as the A Team.

Emma siting. Bottoms Up. Possible Problem?
He hit send and waited.

Emma’s thoughts still ran rampant in her head. She couldn’t remember ever being as angry with someone as she was with Jack. Really, she was hurting too. They had known each other for over eight years. He knew how much his sister and her family meant to her. This was impacting her just as much as it was him. How dare he insinuate otherwise.

Mumbling to herself while her mind raced, she continually took long sips of her tea. Little did she realize how much alcohol was really in that glass. All she knew was that she was starting to feel a lot calmer and warm all over.

Tom Brewer, a local business owner of Pretty Paws, came in and took the stool to the left of Emma. Tom apparently groomed Tucker. Grady listened as they talked about the dog and how business was doing. Tom followed up with his condolences. He watched the emotions flicker across Emma’s face, and his heart hurt for her.

The next thing he knew, Tom stood and Emma followed. When her feet hit the floor, he thought the rest of her was going right along with them. She wobbled precariously and grabbed the stool seat to balance.  “Whew! Guess there was more of a punch in that tea than I realized, or maybe it’s because I haven’t eaten anything.” Her head was definitely feeling more than a little woozy.

“Are you sure you want to dance, Emma?” Tom asked hesitantly. He was a nice guy and didn’t want anyone to think he was trying to take advantage of a woman.

“You bet I do. It’s exactly what I need tonight, Tom. Let’s hit the dance floor.” Emma grabbed Tom’s hand and pulled him out on the dance floor. Even slightly clumsy, Emma had good rhythm. Who knew, thought Grady.

The door slung open and in walked Kathryn. Scanning the bar, she caught Grady’s eye and headed over. “Thanks for the text. What the hell is going on?” Kat muttered.

“Your guess is as good as mine, but with everything she’s been through the past few days, it probably isn’t a good thing that she’s shown up here.” Grady replied. He watched as Kat slid onto the bar stool beside him, admired how she filled out her jeans. The woman had curves a man could appreciate.

“Why is she out there dancing with Tom? How much has she had to drink?” Kat fired back.

“She ordered a long island and drank it down pretty quick. I asked Joe to make any more drinks on the extremely light side.” Grady chuckled. “I thought she was going to hit the floor when she stood up. She’s pretty wobbly after just the one.”

“Well, duh! Do you know how much alcohol is in that one drink? She’s a lightweight, McCloud. Why’d you let her drink it?”

“Hey now. I did my part and sent word to the three of you. By the way, where are the other two? Thought they’d be here by now.”

On cue Sydney walked in with a very angry looking Jack behind her. Simultaneously, the jukebox changed over to a crooning love song that had Emma’s head on Tom’s shoulder, her body closely swaying in time with his.

Jack immediately located Emma on the dance floor wrapped around some guy. His nostrils flared and his eyes narrowed.

“Before you go off and do anything else to make matters worse, know that Emma has only stepped foot in here maybe three times in the past eight to ten years, and that’s been because she was part of a wedding party.” Sydney informed Jack. He started to step forward and Sydney halted him with a hand on his forearm. “You’re not the only one hurting, Jack. Dana was like a sister to her too. You need each other to get through this. Don’t blow it by saying something you can’t take back.” With that advice, she let Jack go and headed over to the bar where Kat and Grady watched.

“This should be interesting. Why is he here?” Kat asked Sydney.

“I was at their house when I got the text from Grady. He insisted on coming over, so I asked Mel to stay with Olivia.”

“Again, why?” Kat questioned.

“Oh, I think we’re about to see first-hand why, Kat.” Sydney informed her, not taking her eyes off the dance floor. “Wait for it.” she continued. “If my instincts are correct, and they generally are, there is a lot more going on between those two than just raising Olivia.”