Page 109 of Spindrift

“Idon’t mind a little dirt,” said Emilia.

“Careful,or he’ll put you to work in the garden,” said Shannon.

Aaronwinked at Morgan and Emilia. “Come sit with me on the porch before your motherputs us to work in here.”

“Doyou want any help?” Emilia asked Shannon.

Shannonwaved them away, and they followed Aaron out to the back porch, whichoverlooked the pasture and the woods beyond.

“It’snice to meet you again, Emilia.”

Emiliagave him a puzzled look.

“Lasttime I saw you, you were maybe four years old. You wouldn’t remember, ofcourse.”

“Iremember seeing Morgan, growing up,” said Emilia.

Morganfixed her eyes on her wine to avoid blushing, remembering Emilia’s confessionof unrequited adolescent love.How the tables have turned.

“Mylittle hellion.” He smiled at Morgan. “She’s slowed down some, although youstill drive too fast in that boat of yours.”

“Benice,” Shannon said as she joined them.

“Mywife drives too fast, too,” he said in a stage whisper.

“Yourfather and my husband were friends in high school, and from what he’s told me,they were responsible for their fair share of trouble.”

“Raywas the ringleader. Very charismatic. Charmed us out of a few detentions. Didhe ever tell you about the time we filled the football team’s lockers withshaving cream?”

“You’rethatAaron?” said Emilia.

Morganstudied Emilia as her father regaled them with stories of Ray’s youth. Emiliahung on his every word, laughing as he exaggerated their exploits, and bitingher lip periodically in a way that made Morgan think she was biting back tears.Her hand twitched in her lap, desperate to hold Emilia.

Aprickling sensation at the back of her neck alerted her to danger. She tore hereyes away from Emilia and found her mother watching her with a calculatingexpression on her face. Morgan stared back defiantly.

“Welost touch after school. He moved away and met your mother, and when he movedback after the divorce we saw each other occasionally, but it was Morgan whoknew him best.” His face softened. “Perhaps this isn’t my place to say, butyour father was a good man. I know . . . I know it musthave been hard. If you can, try to remember the good parts.”

“Aaron,”Shannon said in warning.

“Myfather was an alcoholic, too,” said Aaron. “It’s not an easy thing to livewith.”

Emilianodded and spoke softly. “No, it’s not.”

“Morgantells me you’re a vet, too,” Shannon said.

“Iam.”

“Small?Large?”

“Small,but I like large animal medicine.”

“Howlong do we have you in town for?”

Emiliaglanced at Morgan before replying. “I’m not sure. I’m still figuring out what Iwant to do with my dad’s house. At least another month.”

“Yourpractice is generous with leave,” Shannon said as Morgan counted off the daysin her head.

“I—”

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