Come Rain or Shine (6 page)

“I remember them.” Emmie giggled again then turned around and mumbled under her breath. “But I’ve been doing just fine with him without your advice lately.” She heard Ava laugh in the hall. She had heard her.

Emmie had never gotten ready so quickly. She had done nothing for the past couple days. The rest had been good for her ribs. It was still painful but not as bad as it was when she first arrived.

When she was suitably brushed, dressed, and powdered, she ran down the stairs, literally taking them two at a time. She had envisioned Silas standing there, waiting for her at the bottom with open arms. But he wasn’t. Instead she found Jemma, his sister. Emmie had only met her once before at the Halloween party, when she’d been dressed like an angel. Tonight she was wearing a lovely deep-red flapper dress and, from the looks of it, it was brand new.

“Emmie, I’m so happy to see you again. Silas has talked of nothing but you since he arrived home,” Jemma said, leaning in to kiss her cheek. It was an odd custom that people rarely did in the south. Hug, playful slap on the arm, or nudge, yes. Kiss a stranger and you may be locked up. Because she’d been around Ava’s family, she was more used to the idea than others, but it still felt unnatural.

“Great to see you too, Jemma,” Emmie said with a smile. “I’m surprised he’s been talking about me. Silas isn’t usually a big talker. How are those college plans coming along?”

Jemma’s face lit up and Emmie realized something in that moment. She used to feel like that when she was younger and talked about going to college. Strange that she hadn’t felt herself shine when she talked about school lately.

“Oh, pretty good. I’m actually in the prep classes in school right now and should be all set to start the two-year primary-teaching program next fall. That’s if I can keep everyone convinced that this is my path.” She smiled and Emmie realized she looked like Trick.

“That’s wonderful. Are you going to stay here for school?” Emmie asked curiously.

“I’m not sure. How about you? Did you enroll yet?” she asked.

“Um . . . no, not yet. Things have been so busy. I honestly just . . .” Emmie said, shrugging. She had no idea how to finish that answer.
Lately I’ve spent my time making apple pie moonshine to send a little boy to a doctor and fending off kidnapping revenuers and their dishonest associates. I haven’t had much time to think about schooling.
Somehow she didn’t think that answer was going to work. She struggled to come up with something to say. Luckily, she didn’t have to.

“Emmie’s been working hard to take care of a little boy back home,” Silas answered behind her. He must have come into the hall and heard part of their conversation. “Didn’t I tell you she had a heart of gold? That’s what’s going to make her a good teacher.” He swallowed hard as he said the last words. Then he planted a soft kiss on the top of her head. Something about his eyes looked sad when he pulled away.

“Told you he’s been talking about you and like you said, this one rarely talks about anyone.” Jemma laughed, elbowing her brother.

He turned to look at Emmie and pushed a stray hair away from her eyes. Ava was right: he was handsome. He was wearing a dark navy suit with a light blue pinstripe that she had never seen. It was pretty much the same style as his others but the color was beautiful on him. He answered his sister’s jab without taking his eyes from Emmie, “I guess I’ve never had anyone worth talking about before.”

She felt her cheeks warm at his comment. He may not make her shine like she used to when she talked about going to college, but he sure made her face light up.

Chapter Nine

J
emma excused herself from the room leaving Silas and Emmie alone. The minute she left, Emmie stretched up on her toes, grabbed his cheeks, pulled him forward, and kissed him. “I’ve missed you so much,” she whispered.

His eyes were wide and full of surprise as he pulled away. When he spoke it was through a crooked grin. “Remind me to always stay away from you a few days at a time. I like it when you miss me.”

He laughed again, wrapped his arms around her, and whispered
Happy Thanksgiving
in her ear. She returned the sentiment. An easy silence ate up a few moments. She had missed the feeling of his arms around her.

It was Silas who spoke first. “How are you feeling?”

“I’m fine,” she answered quickly.

He tilted his head to the side and stared down at her, waiting for a more honest answer. She always said she was fine for a moment before she told the truth. It was one of the little things he’d learned about her.

“Honestly Silas, I’m better than I was. My ribs feel much better. See, I didn’t even wince when you hugged me. I’ll show you,” Emmie said, wrapping her arms around him again.

He pulled away, resting a hand gently on her ribs. “I see that. I’m glad they are better. How about everything else?”

She sighed and looked away. He put a finger under her chin and tilted her head up to face him. “Are you sleeping?”

“Yes. Not as good as I did with you though. I’m not sure what that says about me.” Emmie frowned. “I was never afraid of being alone before.”

Silas nodded. “You have nothing to be afraid of. They can’t hurt you anymore. Do you think I would leave you here if you weren’t safe?”

Emmie smirked. “Oh, I know they can’t hurt me. They are dead Silas. That’s what I see. Not all of the time. Not every night. But I still see it. It’s like a poison in my mind that I cannot get rid of. I’m fine most of the time and then my brain just flashes back to it.”

Silas frowned and nodded, letting her words soak in. He honestly didn’t know what to say to make it better and he hated that. “I told you those are my shadows to bear, not yours. All of that had nothing to do with you. It was me. I’ve fixed it.”

“Silas, do not act like I had nothing to do with it. I made that apple pie. Mr. Thomas’s misguided affections for me led him and his brother to that cabin. I have as many shadows in this as you. I will not let you feel sole responsibility for this. We were there together; we will face it together. You and me. I think that’s why I feel better when you are there at night. I don’t feel so alone in it,” she said, grabbing his hand.

He pulled away from her like her touch was fire. Silas paced the length of the hall and rubbed his face before he spoke. That was not what he wanted to hear from her. That was not what she was supposed to be thinking. He put his finger out at her seriously and pointed from her body to himself, “You and I,” he paused and swallowed hard, “you and I will never be in this together. That stuff, that’s me. You just happened to be in the wrong place at the wrong time. That is not something we share in this relationship.”

Emmie grabbed his pointed finger gently. “I get why you don’t like it that I saw what you did. What you do . . . but it doesn’t change the fact that I did see it and I was there. Our relationship will only work if we are equal. Surely you must have figured that out by now.”

Emmie was surprised to see Silas’s eyes were glassy as he said, “I don’t want this for you.”

“Silas,” she pulled his face close to hers, “can’t you see? I don’t want this for you either. It’s a lot for either of us to bear. We can do this together. Don’t shut me out of your life . . . even the ugly parts.”

He pulled away from her quickly and rubbed his eyes. “We are not having this conversation. I’ve got to get back in there. I’ll be out later. Go visit with Jemma and Ava.”

She reached out and grabbed his arm. “I’m stronger than you think,” she said, repeating the words Ava had told her.

He leaned forward and said through gritted teeth, not out of anger but of suppressed emotion, “You are strong. That is why I love you, Mo Chuisle. But I saw you broken when we left that cabin. I will not let it happen again.” Without giving her an opportunity to speak he turned and left the hall.

Emmie sat there alone for a moment reflecting on the odd conversation that had just passed. That had not gone as planned. She was supposed to kiss him. He was supposed to hug her. They would say they’ve missed each other. They were supposed to be happy. What had happened? She rubbed her forehead. Out of the corner of her eye she saw Ava’s head pop around the corner.

“So, did he kiss you?” Ava hopped over and pulled her friend to sit next to her on a bench in the hall.

Emmie actually snorted. “I kissed him.”

“Whoa . . . even better, Emmie.” Ava laughed.

Emmie opened her mouth to explain the fight. She wanted to talk about it with Ava but realized she couldn’t. How could she explain the fight when she hadn’t yet confided the details of the past month to Ava. She couldn’t. She sighed, feeling even more frustrated.

Ava spoke first. “So, did you ask him?”

Emmie frowned. “Ask him what?”

She threw her arms up in exacerbation. “Emmie, about Gabe. Did you remember to ask him if he could find a way to sneak Gabe in here? If anyone is capable it’s the McDowell brothers. You wouldn’t believe the things they accomplished when we were just kids,” Ava rambled.

Emmie rubbed her face. “Sorry, Ava, I didn’t.”

“Emmie,” Ava all but shouted, “I’m counting on you. I need you. Do you have any idea what it’s been like this last month without you and him? I need to see him. You cannot let me down.”

“It didn’t come up. I hadn’t seen him in three days and we had things to talk about. I will talk to him, okay?” Emmie said, annoyed.

“Oh well, I am so sorry that you haven’t seen him in three days. I haven’t seen Gabe in over a month, but by all means think of yourself, Emmie,” Ava whispered loudly.

If Emmie could have shot fire out of her eyes like some mythical dragon at that moment she would have. “I will ask him but I was not being selfish. The world didn’t stop turning because you were in Chicago feeling sorry for yourself, Ava. Things happened. Things I needed to talk to Silas about. I will ask about your silly little sneak-out plan. I just haven’t had time yet.”

Ava was speechless. Her mouth actually dropped open and her eyes spilled over with tears. “Just never mind, Emmie. I’ll work it out without you. Clearly you are busy with your own life now. You have barely been yourself lately. It’s like I don’t even know you anymore.” She stood and turned toward the stairs before shouting, “And I have not been up here feeling sorry for myself.”

Well, this was turning out to be a great day. She was two for two. In the space of just a few minutes Emmie had hurt the two people she loved most on God’s green earth. As she made her way into the living room she wondered what other joys were in store for her today.

Chapter Ten

S
ometimes social gatherings, even small social gatherings, made Emmie feel awkward—especially when she was at odds with Ava and Silas. The Thanksgiving meal was elaborate and delicious. She had been right though, no one had let her cook anything. She’d gone into the kitchen and tried to help only to be shooed away. Twice. The best thing about the meal was the fact she sat next to Silas. He put her at ease even in the midst of their argument. She was aware of his every move. The way his hand brushed hers as he reached for his glass. His knee rested lightly against hers as they ate. Silas’s father and Trick kept the mood light by sharing funny anecdotes from the past. Emmie realized for the first time she could feel at ease with not just Silas but his whole family.

Silas had holed up in the office with God knows how many men after the meal. The older women were in the sunroom sipping tea and eating dessert. Ava, Jemma, and Emmie slipped away into the living room.

Emmie nodded, rubbed her eyes, and tried desperately to focus on Jemma’s long list of questions about Kentucky.

“So is it?” the younger girl asked.

Emmie wondered how she could politely tell the girl she had no idea what she had asked.

Ava sighed and sat gracefully on the loveseat next to Emmie. “Yes, it’s warmer. Not hot like Florida but not as cold as it is here. They get maybe two good snows a year. Nothing like here, though. There are no ice rinks.” That was the first time Ava had come near her since their fight more than an hour ago.

“Speaking of winter,” Jemma said, turning her attention to Ava, “Old Man Dan’s is frozen solid. It’s been colder this year.”