Page 62 of Love's Cure

CHAPTER TWENTY

Crystal was mixingeggs for the cheese omelet she was preparing. Wearing a shirt of Emmett’s to cover her, she wondered if the day would ever come when this would be her kitchen, their kitchen.

Emmett appeared. Smiling, he walked over to her and nuzzled her neck. “If only this could be every night. Or morning,” he added, laughing. “Guess it is another day.”

“I’ve got Misty covering for me in a few hours. Thank God she’s willing to step in.”

Emmett tugged on the shirttails, bringing her to him. “The shirt’s a little big on you. Want to take it off? You’d look even more beautiful.”

Crystal pushed at him playfully. “Leave me alone. I’m cooking. Get some plates and silverware out. It’ll be ready in no time.”

“Aye, Aye, Captain,” said Emmett. “I’ll make some coffee. The last day of Summer Faire awaits us. I hope I don’t have any other broken bones to tend to.”

“Jeffrey sure was cute,” said Crystal, stirring the eggs in a frying pan.

“How many kids do you want?” Emmett asked her as he set silverware on the kitchen bar.

The spoon in Crystal’s hand shook. She turned to face him. “You answer first.”

“Okay. Easy. I want at least three children. With a much older stepsister growing up and no one else, I want enough children to make each one feel as if they had a special friend.” He nudged her. “Your turn.”

She put the eggs on separate plates, placed them on the bar counter, and turned to him.

“After raising Misty and knowing what a bad mother I had, I vowed not to have children of my own. I didn’t think I could do it. But lately, I’ve been thinking about it, and I do want a family. Maybe two children.”

He took a sip of coffee and studied her. “That’s important to me. Sorry, but we’re going to have to stand. Bar stools are on order, and as you can see, no table and chairs yet.”

They dug into the food and then Emmett said, “Is tonight the barbeque at the Lilac Lake Cottage with all your friends?”

“Yes, it should be fun. The staff will be celebrating on their own in town, and this will be a relaxing way to end the weekend.”

“My mother is leaving for Maine this morning. Again, I’m sorry about her behavior. I intend to speak to her about it before she leaves. She can’t continue to disrespect you. As far as my stepfather running for president, he may announce it, but I don’t think he has the staying power. He’s made too many political enemies.”

“Even if he does succeed, I can’t change my background. Besides, I have nothing to be ashamed of.” She held her breath waiting for a response.

“Of course not,” said Emmett. “You’re a fantastic woman, bright and capable of more than surviving on your own. You are beloved in this town, and I understand every reason for that.”

Crystal let out a sigh of relief. She wanted to tell him her feelings, but she held back. Though she knew he felt that way toward her, he had yet to say those magical three words to her.

After eating their early morning supper, Crystal hurried to get dressed so Emmett could drop her off at her apartment. She hoped to get a few hours’ sleep before the last hectic day of the Faire.

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