Emma's Secret: A Novel

Laurie’s historical showplace home, with its award-winning English garden, was a peaceful oasis. Megan would be lying if she said she didn’t envy her best friend’s life. Laurie did bookkeeping part-time out of the comfort of her home, with the ability to make her own hours. Megan loved being a stay-at-home mom and taking control of the Safe Walks program, but there were times she missed doing the books for Peter and working alongside him as they built up his real-estate business.
    “Can we go in, Mom?” Alexis was in the process of flinging her flip-flops to the side and stood poised on the edge of the pool, ready to dive in.
    “First, I need to let Laurie know we’re here. You know the drill, guys.” Megan lifted Emma’s shirt and wiggled it over her head. Emma threw it on one of the white wicker chairs by the pool and dipped her toes in the water. Hannah rummaged in a bin off to the side of the pool and pulled out water toys and Emma’s water wings.
    Megan slipped off her flip-flops and pushed open the sliding door into Laurie’s spotless kitchen. With a quick glance over her shoulder to ensure none of the girls were swimming yet, she headed into the house.
    As she rounded the corner from the kitchen to the front hallway, the smile on her face fell until her mouth gaped open. If Laurie’s eyes had been open, she would have noticed Megan standing there in shock, but they weren’t. Her eyes were closed and her lips were joined to the one man who had stood by Megan’s side while Emma had been missing.
    Megan’s heart stopped for what seemed like an eternity as she watched her best friend wind her fingers through the black curly locks of Riley Thompson’s hair.
    Images flashed through Megan’s mind of a similar scene. Except she stood in Laurie’s place, with her own fingers threaded through Riley’s hair as his lips hovered over hers…
    She should call out to Laurie and Riley and let them know she was there. She should make some noise, clear her throat, or do something else. Anything else. Anything that would disrupt the scene she couldn’t ignore.
    “Laurie,” Megan finally managed to whisper while clutching the bag in her hands tight. She knew her cheeks flamed bright red as she bit her lip, waiting for that awkward moment she knew was about to occur.
    Time stood still as Laurie unwound her fingers from Riley’s head and shoved herself away from him. She blinked a few times before she looked up.
    Megan wasn’t sure who was more embarrassed.
    “Meg…”
    “Um, I just wanted to let you know”—Megan pointed behind her—“that we were here, but um…” She swallowed before taking a step backward. “I think we’re actually going to leave.”
    The silence in the room was overwhelming. Riley cleared his throat and took a step toward Megan, who in turn took another step back. She struggled to grab hold of the handle to the sliding door.
    “Megan, don’t go…” Laurie called out behind her.
    “Girls, change of plans. Let’s go get some ice cream.” She slipped her flip-flops back on and grabbed the purse she’d laid down on the patio table. Ignoring the drinks she’d placed there earlier, Meganslipped her purse onto her shoulder, her knuckles turning white around the strap.
    “But—” Alexis planted her hands on her hips and was about to argue but stopped. Megan wasn’t sure why, but she was thankful for whatever it was that made her girls reach immediately for their things and follow her without question back to her vehicle. It was all she could do to breathe and not allow the wash of emotions to drown her.
    “Megan, stop. Please?” Laurie called to her from the front porch, wringing her hands as Megan struggled to process what had just happened.
    “Are you okay?” Hannah slipped her hand into Megan’s as they neared the Jeep.
    Megan bit her lip and nodded. She opened the doors and waited for the girls to climb inside before she made her way to the driver’s side. She kept her eyes down, refusing to look back at the house. She didn’t want to see the look in Laurie’s eyes right now, didn’t want to hear any excuses. And she certainly didn’t want to know if Riley stood beside her.
    She wished the last five minutes of her life had never happened.

    When the bedroom door clicked shut, Megan sank to the floor. She drew her knees up to her chest, buried her head in her arms, and gave in to the sobs she’d held back for the last forty-five minutes.
    The memory of