Page 7 of Marrying Emma

“When you’re not running your mouth?” Her voice was serious, but there was a sparkle in her eyes.

Did Emma just tease him? That was a first. “Yeah, that.” He shrugged good-naturedly.

Emma nodded toward his leg “So what about you? You mentioned you were in a car accident. I imagine the recovery was pretty rough.”

There was no doubt she was trying to redirect the conversation away from herself. Marty was okay with it, though. She’d revealed a lot about her own struggles, after all. Plus, there was a hint of sadness in her voice when she asked the question. Like she was almost afraid it might dredge up some rough memories.

Which wasn’t too far off base, actually. He’d had his fair share of nightmares since then.

“I was driving into San Antonio five years ago. I honestly don’t even remember why. I’d just gotten off the highway and stopped at a light. It turned green, and I headed into the intersection. A car coming the other direction went right through his red light and clipped my motorcycle. I’m thankful I don’t recall anything after that.” He suppressed a shudder. “From what I’m told, my leg was crushed between my bike and the car that hit me. The doctors tried to save it, but it wasn’t possible.”

“That’s horrible. I’m sorry.”

“It is what it is. I was told I’m lucky to have survived the accident at all.” Though there were times during the recovery he wondered if it might have been better that way. He didn’t tell Emma that, though. “It took a while, but I became mobile again. I’m thankful God spared my life that day.”

His pretty coworker drew her knees to her chin and hugged them to her chest. “You’re a Christian?”

“Yeah. My relationship with God has had its ups and downs. I guess like anyone else’s. But I am a believer.” He paused. She wasn’t looking at him, but there was something in her eyes that nearly screamed of a sadness she didn’t want to reveal. “Are you?”

“Yes.” There was hesitation in her voice. “I guess I’m in the ‘downs’ part of that relationship.” She gave a short laugh, but it was clearly forced.

Marty wanted to ask her more about it, but a chime sounded, letting them know someone had entered the building.

Emma hitched a thumb toward their customer. “I’d better get that.” She appeared relieved to have been interrupted as she got to her feet. She offered him a small wave before walking away.

Marty hoped she’d come back on the floor once she was free again, but two more people came in for open gym, including someone stopping by for the first time. The customer had a number of questions for Marty, keeping him busy for the remainder of open gym. As soon as it ended, Marty switched gears into teaching the last classes of the day.

Several times, he glanced over to find Emma either working at the counter or following Caleb—who had returned after open gym—to help with something.

By the time six o’clock came around, Marty was tired and ready to head home. He happily turned over the last class of the evening to Caleb. He’d hoped to tell Emma goodbye, but she was nowhere to be seen.

Caleb told the adults to head out on the gym floor and start stretches before turning to Marty. “Thanks for working today. Sounds like open gym was slow.” He frowned. “I’ve considered not having open gym on holiday weeks, but I think it would cost as much to have you and Emma come in and out than it would to stay here.”

“It’s cool. We ended up with a couple of people and a potential new customer, so you never know.” Marty’s gaze slid to the unmanned counter again. “Emma already head out?”

“Yeah, I sent her home early. She seemed tired.”

Marty tried not to cringe. That was probably his fault for pushing her into stretching this afternoon. He didn’t regret it, though. It was only going to make her feel better in the long run. Hopefully he could get her out on the gym floor next week, too. “See you at church on Sunday?”

“I’ll be there.”

Marty waved farewell as he left the air-conditioned gym for the scorching summer heat outside.

He knew Emma was long gone by now, but he still checked the parking spot she always snagged. It was empty, of course.

He’d wanted to ask her more about her relationship with God. He’d certainly struggled with a lot of things in that area himself and maybe talking about it would help her.

Now it was Friday. They had Monday off for the Fourth of July, and he wouldn’t see her again until Tuesday.

Disappointment stung.

Which was ridiculous, right? Just because they’d had a decent conversation didn’t mean anything had changed between them. Not really.

Except there was something about those genuine smiles…the ones that’d graced her beautiful face early in their conversation before she’d become sad. He wouldn’t mind the opportunity to coax more of those pretty smiles in the near future.

4

The long weekend had been exactly what Emma needed. She’d enjoyed sleeping in, having a barbecue with her family on the Fourth, and then staying up way too late watching fireworks from the hill near Joyful Hope, the stables Wyatt and Chrissy ran. It gave a great view of the fireworks that lit up the sky over Clearwater.

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