Emma's Secret: A Novel

Peter finished for her. He stood up and reached for her hands. “I know things aren’t perfect yet and that we have a long way to go, but losing you, our marriage, the kids…it’s not worth it. Not to me. So we made a deal. She’s moving away and wants to start up her own company.” He pulled her in close and wrapped his arms around her.
    Megan resisted, her body tense. All of this was too much, too soon. Too fast. She pushed herself away from Peter and sagged back into the chair.
    “All this time, I thought you were getting ready to leave me. The texts, the late hours…I’ve just been waiting for you to tell me you’ve had enough.”
    “Never.” Peter knelt down in front of her and took her hand.
    Megan stared down at their hands. “Trust goes both ways, Peter. If you want me to trust you, then you need to do the same. Trust me when I tell you that it’s not time to allow Jack into Emma’s life. Not yet. Maybe someday, when she’s older, when I know…” She stopped when she realized what she’d almost admitted. When she was ready to deal with having Jack in Emma’s life. It all came back to her, didn’t it? Peter was right.
    “She is ready. She’s been ready since the day we brought her home. She needs him, Meg.” Peter’s voice was raw with emotion and filled with a sense of certainty.
    Her lips quivered as she leaned forward, keeping her gaze on their hands.
    “But what if I’m not?”

CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE
    A fter yesterday’s turmoil, Megan planned a nice quiet day where the girls could relax and Emma could rest up. She swatted at a bee as it buzzed around her hand before she dipped the watering can and sprinkled her flowers. She preferred to do it earlier in the day, before the sun got too hot.
    “Knock, knock.”
    Megan turned to find Laurie standing at the patio doors, waving a small white flag.
    “A little over-the-top, don’t you think?” Megan set the can down on the grass and wiped her hands on her shorts.
    Laurie shrugged her shoulders. “Just in case.”
    Beside Laurie, on the patio table, sat two coffee cups and a bag. Megan recognized the bag from Brewster’s Bakery. “Peace offerings?”
    She caught the uncertain look in her friend’s eyes and the hesitation as Laurie’s arms reached out. It had been two days since Alexis’s birthday, and other than stopping by that evening to take Alexis to a late-night movie, she’d kept her distance.
    Megan stepped forward and gave her friend the hug she needed even though her heart wasn’t really in it. She’d be a liar if she didn’t admit she was still feeling hurt from Laurie’s silence. After amoment, they both sat down and reached for the coffee, neither one willing to break the silence between them.
    Laurie fidgeted in her seat, crossing and then uncrossing her legs.
    “I’m sorry I didn’t come to Alexis’s party. I was too much of a coward, not wanting to face you right away, but it’s not an excuse.”
    Megan edged her feet out of the flip-flops she wore and curled them beneath her legs. “I had a feeling that’s why you didn’t show. But”—she shrugged—“a phone call would have been nice.”
    A flush grew across Laurie’s face. “I know. I tried to make it up to her by taking her to the movie.”
    Megan blew a wisp of hair that tickled her cheek. “Yeah, I know. Alexis mentioned it was only part of her gift, though. You know you spoil that girl too much.” She kept her voice light, trying to defuse some of the awkwardness between them.
    Laurie visibly swallowed before she glanced toward the house. “I like to. She’s like my mini me. I thought I’d take her out for a girls’ day today. Maybe have Hannah tag along? I’d take them to the mall so that we could look at some school clothes, and then do dinner and dessert, nothing too fancy.”
    Megan smiled. “They’d both love that. Alexis mentioned this morning that she needs a complete wardrobe makeover, supposedly.”
    Laurie ran her hands through her hair. “Yeah, sorry about that. I kind of brought up the fact that my mom would always take me clothes shopping before school, and I’d end up with a new wardrobe.”
    Megan smiled. “Summer’s not over yet, you know. But thanks for giving me a head start.”
    “Well, I hope this will help.” Laurie cleared her throat and looked out at the yard. “How’s Emma feeling? Peter mentioned she’d overdone it during the party.”
    Megan glanced toward the house. “She’s better. Poor