Page 52 of Marrying Emma

He conjured a smile even though it was hard to feel real positive right now.“Get some rest, Emma. I’ll talk to you tomorrow.”

“Good night, Marty.”

“I love you.” He said the words aloud, even though there was no way she could hear them.

* * *

Emma had only workedat Joyful Hope Stables for four days now, but she couldn’t believe she hadn’t taken the job when Chrissy and Wyatt originally offered it. Sure, she spent a great deal of time indoors calling clients, scheduling appointments, and even dealing with some financial aspects of the business.

But the rest of the time? She got to spend it outdoors. She helped corral kids in and out of hippotherapy appointments, walked beside them as they rode horses with the therapists, and sometimes even cared for the animals.

The combination of time to rest plus walking around was perfect. It’d also given her some much-needed time to herself.

She adjusted her earbuds. While working on paperwork, she’d listened to podcasts from the church where Marty attended. The latest one was geared toward helping those less fortunate, and the homeless community specifically. But there was a particular scripture that stood out to her.

She’d written it down and then looked it up in the Bible app on her phone. Ecclesiastes 4:9-10 said, “Two people are better off than one, for they can help each other succeed. If one person falls, the other can reach out and help. But someone who falls alone is in real trouble.”

Emma said the scripture aloud again under her breath. “That’s exactly what I’ve been doing, isn’t it, God? Standing on my own, even when people all around me are willing to reach out and help.” She’d done it with her own family to a degree. Certainly Marty. “But I’ve been keeping You at arms-length most of all.” She imagined God standing on the sidelines, desperate to reach for her, and Emma snubbing His attempts over and over again. When He sent someone else in her life to help, she’d still blamed Him for not caring.

The realization brought tears to her eyes. “I’m so sorry,” she whispered. “Thanks for not giving up on me.”

Emma took a deep breath and looked upward at the branches of an oak tree that provided welcome shade on a Thursday afternoon. Footsteps approaching from behind drew her attention to Wyatt.

She paused the podcast and gave him a mock look of disapproval. “And why are you here instead of at home taking care of my sister and nephew?”

There was a mixture of exhaustion and bliss in his eyes. “I wanted to show you where those files were,” he said. “That and check with Jimmy to make sure the corral fencing had been repaired.”

Chrissy had told her about a parent who got turned around and accidently backed into one section of the corral late last week. Thankfully, they hadn’t destroyed it, but several of the cross beams had been replaced as a result.

“It’s good to go—and I could have answered that question for you by text.”

Wyatt shrugged. “I know. But I need to run to the store for a few things for Chrissy, and I figured it wouldn’t hurt to drop by.” He studied her. “How are you liking the job?”

“Are you kidding? It’s great. I’m still trying to get it all figured out, but I’m loving it so far.” She looked toward the corral where a boy with cerebral palsy was clearly enjoying every moment of his therapy time. “There’s something special about this place.”

“There sure is.” He paused. “Have you talked to Marty this week?”

Emma raised an eyebrow. “I wouldn’t have pegged you as someone to check up on me about that.”

Wyatt held out both hands. “You’re right. Apparently your mom is concerned. She mentioned it to Chrissy, and since Chrissy just had a baby and is dead on her feet, she asked me to talk to you.”

There was nothing to do but laugh at that. “Gotta love it.” She shook her head. “I’ve texted with him every day, but I haven’t seen him since Monday.” She shrugged. “It’s weird not seeing him every day.”

“A little birdie mentioned he told you how he felt.”

Emma sighed. “I’m going to remember how quickly news spreads before I say anything next time.”

“Look, I don’t want to step on any toes. Chrissy mentioned you and Marty are struggling with the differences in your financial situations.” He cleared his throat, obviously a little uncomfortable with their conversation. “Coming from a guy who grew up with way more money than I ever needed, I’d like to think I’m not that different from anyone else.”

Emma had almost forgotten about that. His offer to pay Chrissy to pretend to be his girlfriend had been the beginning of what would be a real love story between the two. She pictured little Zachary and how perfectly it’d all worked out. “I know Marty could pay for all my medical bills. But he shouldn’t have to. I hate that I’d be bringing so much baggage into a marriage. Assuming there was one.”

“God created men and women differently, Emma. We have an innate need to protect, provide for, and to care for our families. I can tell you right now that taking care of my wife’s financial needs is not just something I do, it’s something Iwantto do. It’s part of keeping her safe. I have no doubt it’s the same for Marty when it comes to you.” He paused. “If it weren’t for your debt, would you care whether he had two hundred dollars in the bank or two million?”

She immediately knew the answer to that. “No, I wouldn’t.”

“Then you shouldn’t let the debt change anything.”

“But it isn’t only that. There’s my heart and potential future health concerns. Or the fact that I could never give him a family…” She hated that her voice broke at the end.

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