Page 70 of Love's Cure

He stood and put an arm across her shoulder. “Thanks for inviting me to this barbeque. It’s a needed break for me.”

“I’m happy you’re meeting more of my friends. They’re an important part of my life.”

“I can see why.”

They followed Whitney up the incline.

He frowned as Diana came rushing toward them. “I’ve saved you seats on the lawn by me.” Though she spoke to both of them, her gaze remained on Emmett.

Hiding her irritation, Crystal hoped Emmett would make it clear to Diana that they were together.

###

Later, as it grew dark, David got up from his seat on a blanket spread on the grass and faced the crowd with a grin. “I’ve got fireworks.”

Everyone cheered. For someone normally quiet, David loved fireworks and usually went a little wild at Fourth of July celebrations when he and a couple of firemen presented a show for the entire town.

“While you get those ready to go, I’m getting protective headphones for Timothy,” said Whitney. “Do you want to borrow one for your little girl, Beth? I’ve got an extra pair from the last Fourth of July.”

The two women got up and went into the cottage.

Crystal stood and said to Emmett, “I’ll be right back.”

As she walked into the cottage, she was struck again by the changes to the building. No longer drab or worn by years of use and disuse, the interior radiated new life, openness, and comfort. She knew Emmett was going for the same feel with his house.

After Crystal finished freshening up, she went outside to find Diana sitting in her place next to Emmett.

Diana looked up at her and, not moving, patted the space next to her. “Sit here.”

“No, Crystal, come over here on the other side of me,” said Emmett.

Crystal sat beside him on the grass but noticed he didn’t make any effort to move away from Diana.

All through the fun of watching the fireworks, Diana stayed right at Emmett’s side, even turning into him at a particularly loud blast.

Crystal waited for Emmett to do something, say something, but he remained unaware of her discomfort with Diana’s behavior.

After the fireworks ended and people started to pack up, Diana came over to Emmett and her. “I noticed you came with Crystal. I’m happy to take you home, Emmett.”

“No, thanks. As you said, I came with Crystal.”

“Oh, okay. I just thought now that I’m part of the family, so to speak ...”

Someone called Emmett, and he turned and walked away.

“You’ve made your intentions very clear,” Crystal said to her, fed up with Diana’s conduct.

Diana pulled her aside. “It’s never going to work between you and Emmett. I’ve known him for a long time. His family approves of me. Natalie even suggested that Emmett and I should be paired together.” She turned on her heel and flounced away, her white eyelet shirt a beacon of danger in the darkness.

###

On the way back toEmmett’s house, Crystal was silent as she drove. Her mind was playing all kinds of games with her, reliving past demeaning episodes in her life, bringing out all her insecurities.

“You’re unusually quiet. What’s wrong?” asked Emmett.

“I’m trying to sort things out in my mind. I couldn’t help noticing Diana’s attention to you. She’s so obvious. She had no problem taking my place next to you on the blanket and you didn’t seem to mind.”

“As she said, she’s like part of the family because she’ll be working with my parents and others on my father’s campaign.”

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