Page 95 of All the Missing Pieces

“Bear,” Emerson said, giving the dog a pat to tell him he could go to the newcomer.

“Bear,” Ridley said wistfully. “The most perfect name for the bestest boy.”

Bear charged over to her, knocking Ridley to her butt. But she just laughed as she threw her arms around the beast and pressed her face into his neck. “He really does go right for the lap,” Ridley said, her voice muffled by all the fur. She scratched and rubbed, making Bear’s day. “Now don’t think I’m going to sneak you table scraps just because you’re giving me cuddles.”

Emerson grinned. “He’s not going to leave your side now. You’ve got a friend for life.”

Ridley looked up at my sister from her spot, still covered with over one hundred pounds of Bernese mountain dog. “My evil plan works.”

And it had. But none of it was evil. I saw it now, her approach. Making it about Bear so Emerson wouldn’t be overwhelmed by a new person’s focus on her.

“You might not be saying that when he launches into your lap at lunch,” Emerson warned. “I hope you guys are hungry because I made enough to feed an army. Trey’s just setting it all on the back deck. Come on through.”

More of the nerves had slid out of Emerson. Her muscles were looser, her grip on the towel light.

I reached down and pulled Ridley to her feet. It took some doing, since Bear didn’t want to let her go. And I didn’t blamethe dog. When Ridley finally stood, she knocked into my chest with anoomph. Her eyes shot to mine, and I couldn’t move, I was frozen to the spot by that hypnotic stare.

Hell, yes, I was feeling things I shouldn’t be. Feeling more. Feeling everything. For a woman who was only temporary, passing through on a mission that could bring my family and me healing. Or leave us in wreckage in her wake.

38

RIDLEY

I watchedas a million unnamed emotions swept through Colt’s stormy gaze, each one flickering to life and then disappearing so fast that I couldn’t grab hold of a single one. But it didn’t stop me from trying. Because I wanted every piece of him.

And that knowledge was dangerous. He was dangerous.

Bear barked and I jumped, forcing a laugh. “No need to be jealous, buddy. I’ve got all the pets for you.”

I followed the dog and Emerson into the house, trying to shake off the lingering feelings clinging to me. As I walked down the long hallway toward the kitchen, I couldn’t help but slow my steps. There was art everywhere. Lots of different media but all of it amazing.

As I reached the kitchen, I found Emerson grabbing a pitcher of what looked like iced tea. “You’ve got great taste in art,” I told her.

Emerson’s cheeks tinged pink. “Thank you.”

The screen door slapped shut as Trey strode inside from the back porch. “What she’s not telling you is that she did them all.”

I turned back to Emerson, gaping. “Allof them?”

She shrugged, heading for the back door. “It’s a nice outlet, and it gets my creative juices going for work projects.”

I took the basket of rolls Trey handed me and followed Emerson outside, Bear on my heels. “Work projects?”

She nodded, setting the pitcher down. “I’m a graphic designer. Mostly web design but a few general branding clients as well.”

The perfect job to do from the safety of your home.

Trey crossed behind Emerson, giving her shoulder a squeeze before setting a bowl of coleslaw on the table. “I keep telling her she should set up a site to sell her art.”

“You really should,” I agreed. “If I had walls, I’d buy some.” I frowned as I tried to picture my interior space despite its recent destruction. “I might be able to fit one of the smaller ones. One of those wildflower watercolors by the bathroom?”

“Make her a strong offer,” Trey chided.

I grinned. “I’d never lowball her. They’re too good. Seven fifty?”

Emerson’s eyes went wide. “Dollars?” she squeaked.

“Definitely not cents,” I said with a laugh.

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