Page 68 of Love's Cure

Crystal laughed. “I wondered when that would come up.”

“Emmett’s adorable, and you two look perfect together,” Taylor said.

“Well, Diana is very interested in Emmett, and I believe his mother is encouraging her. So, we’ll have to see how it all plays out. Right now, Emmett and I are enjoying one another. But where it goes from here is unknown. Funny, I wanted a family for so long, and now, I find myself having to deal with one I don’t necessarily like.”

“Life is like that, isn’t it? It sometimes takes a sense of humor to understand all of it,” said Taylor. “It’s those kinds of quirks that I like to place in my books.”

“How is your next novel coming along?”

Taylor laughed. “Speaking of needing a sense of humor ...”

“I know you’ll make this time at the lake working on your novel succeed. You always do.”

“I hope so,” said Taylor as they approached Brad who was refilling a wheelbarrow with ice and canned drinks.

“Hey, Crystal, I didn’t see you arrive. What’ll you have?” asked Brad.

“A coke and a beer for Emmett.”

“Here you go,” he said, handing them to her. “What about you, Taylor?”

“I’ll just have a coke,” she said. “But I’d better take a beer for Cooper.”

Crystal and Taylor carried their drinks back to the three men talking together. Crystal handed a beer to Emmett and then asked Aaron if he wanted her drink.

“No thanks,” he said. “I need to talk to David about some landscaping at The Meadows.”

Crystal waited until the men appeared to be finished talking, then she nudged Emmett. “Come talk to David Graham. He and his father own Graham Landscaping, and he’s a nice guy.”

As they crossed the lawn, Crystal waved to Beth and Garth Beckman who’d brought their toddler daughter to the gathering. The mix of adults, children, and dogs was pleasing.

Mindy, Whitney’s black-and-tan dachshund, roamed the area nose to the ground, no doubt looking for snacks.

David was talking to Aaron and Diana. Crystal studied him. A tall, lanky man with sandy-colored hair and an easy smile on his handsome face, he’d always been on the quiet side. But he was someone you listened to when he spoke because he knew a lot about many things.

Crystal quietly told Emmett that David’s older sister had died in a boating accident when she was still in her teens. “David faithfully maintains a small memorial garden in town in her memory. He and Aaron, with their love of outdoors and growing things, have always been friends.”

“Interesting.” Emmett studied the group as they approached.

“Hi, David,” said Crystal. “It’s always nice to see you.”

“You might remember me. Emmett Chambers. I bought Dr. Johnson’s house,” said Emmett, shaking David’s hand. “It’s being renovated now. I’d like you to come and take a look at the landscaping. I think it’s due for some upgrading.”

“Be glad to do that,” said David. “And I need to make an appointment with you for a checkup for my insurance company. I’m increasing my life insurance.”

“That sounds very serious,” said Diana.

David’s facial expression changed ever so slightly as a flash of sadness filled it and disappeared. “I’ve learned that life can be unpredictable.”

“Yes,” said Diana. “But I always try to concentrate on the positive.” She glanced at Emmett.

He was turning to Aaron and didn’t notice, but Crystal did.

“A positive attitude is helpful,” said David, looking at Diana. “But it doesn’t hurt to be prepared.”

Diana laughed. “You sound like a boy scout.”

He joined her laughter as Whitney came over to them, carrying Timothy. “Hey, how’s it going? Did everyone get something to drink? To eat?”

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