Emma's Secret: A Novel

a man,” Laurie interjected.
    Jan’s brow rose.
    “What man?” Megan asked. Something was up. “Who is he? Where did you meet him? Why don’t you want me to know about this? Why didn’t you say something when you showed up this morning?”
    Laurie shook her head. “I was going to tell you, but there was the picture, and then the…” Her voice drifted off.
    “Oh, no, you don’t. This isn’t about me.” Megan turned to Jan, who shook her head and clamped her lips together. “Who is it? It’s not like I’m going to be upset. As long as it’s not Peter,” Megan joked.
    Laurie drew herself up tall and reached for her own cup. She slowly brought it to her lips and took her time taking a sip before lowering it.
    “It’s no one, Meg. I only met the guy at the new shooting range that just opened up over on County Road 14. We chatted for a bit and then went for drinks afterward.” Laurie shrugged her shoulder, yet she didn’t look at her.
    “So you shot a gun, had some drinks, and then”—Megan glanced at Jan—“were caught in a heated embrace, but it’s nothing?” Why was Laurie hedging so much?
    Her friend’s cheeks bloomed a nice shade of red. “I had too many drinks, my bad.”
    “You’re really going to use that excuse?” The challenge in Jan’s voice was clear.
    A sad smile flittered across Laurie’s face. “It’s not an excuse; it just is what it is. I won’t be seeing him again, so really it doesn’t matter.”
    Megan groaned. “I still can’t believe I’m only just hearing about this. I must be the worst friend in the…” A blank look crossedboth Laurie’s and Jan’s faces moments before terse smiles and narrowed eyes focused beyond her shoulder. She swiveled in her chair.
    “Martha, Evelyn, how nice to see you,” Megan cooed, knowing she couldn’t hide the fakeness in her tone. Why, tonight of all nights, did she have to run into the two people she detested the most?
    Martha Greer and Evelyn McNish could have been twins for the way they walked, talked, and dressed. Best friends for years, they were inseparable and always seemed to meddle in anything that was happening around town. Neither woman would ever be seen in Jan’s bakery in sneakers; only dress pants and heels would do. Martha always wore a string of pearls around her slender neck, while Evelyn never wore less than the opulent diamond necklace her husband bought her for their twentieth anniversary. They were both slightly older than Megan, slightly skinnier, and slightly more beautiful. They were also terrible gossips and had made Megan’s life miserable with all their backhanded whispers about how she was losing her mind in that first year of Emma’s disappearance.
    “Megan,” Evelyn purred, “it’s been forever since we’ve seen you. How are you?” The slightest smile was plastered on her face.
    Megan squared her shoulders and reached for the cup she’d placed on the counter. She needed something in her hands to keep her occupied. “I’m fine, thank you.”
    Martha placed her hand over her heart and sighed. “We’re so glad to hear that. We pray for you daily; we want you to know that. You must be feeling so relieved to finally have your daughter back home where she belongs, despite the horrible nightmare she must have experienced. I hope you’ve taken her in to see Dr. Brown. You never know what this type of trauma could do to such a young child.” She sighed dramatically while shaking her head.
    Megan didn’t miss how Evelyn’s lips quirked during Martha’s speech.
    Jan frowned at the two ladies. “Oh, for Pete’s sake, Martha. Don’t you read the paper? Our angel is fine; no need to be so dramatic.”
    Megan turned her head and smiled at Jan before looking at the two women again. “She’s right. Emma is fine and adjusting well. I appreciate your concern.”
    Evelyn placed her hand on Megan’s shoulder. “Of course she’s not fine. You don’t have to pretend to us. To be ripped out of her mother’s arms and forced to live secluded…”
    “She wasn’t ripped out of my arms.”
    “And who knows what could have happened to her during the last two years.”
    “Nothing happened to her.”
    “Of course she’s not okay. But don’t you worry. We’re all here to support you.” Evelyn squeezed Megan’s shoulder with her thin hands, her grip stronger than expected.
    “I assume that program you forced parents to participate in will cease now?” Martha tsked.
    “Excuse