Alaskan Hideout. Sarah Varland

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       THREE

      “Luke!”

      She’d no sooner stepped into the lobby of Moose Haven Lodge when her son came flying into her arms. Gathering him close, Emma squeezed him hard and thanked God for keeping him safe when she’d been forced off the road and into the ravine. She suspected that was one of the things Noah was going to want to talk about, and Emma was ready to tell him the story, though she could use a few minutes to decompress.

      Things between her and Tyler had never been easy. Even as best friends before they’d officially started dating there’d been a sizzling current of electricity between them. It made sense that their breakup would be more like a devastating explosion of fireworks. Even this long afterward.

      She kept her arms around Luke, thankful that at least Tyler hadn’t said anything negative about her son, thankful he’d been safe.

      “Emma, if you want to come with me, I’ll get you some clothes.”

      A woman Emma hadn’t seen before was standing nearby, along with another woman and a man. The woman who’d spoken to her was small, dark haired, and with a look on her face like nothing got past her. She had to be Kate. The taller woman, the one with the blond hair and soft waves, she recognized as Tyler’s sister, Summer, who was a mountain runner. Emma’d never have known the sport existed if it wasn’t for Tyler, but she’d followed it a bit online over the years, desperate enough for a glimpse into Tyler’s world. Keeping up to date with his sister had helped her to fill that void in some small way. Summer had been out of competition for years—Emma suspected there was a story there—but lately rumors were flying that she might be getting back into it. The man next to her was with the Moose Haven PD and she recognized him from college. Clay Hitchcock.

      “Yes, please, I’d love to change.”

      Kate motioned for her to follow her up the stairs and Emma did so, relieved to be away from Tyler. Had she remembered how tall he was, the broadness of his shoulders?

      Memory flashed in her mind. Yes. She’d remembered, somewhere inside. She’d just chosen to forget.

      It had been better for both of them that way.

      “Is Luke okay with Summer and Clay, do you think?”

      “More than okay,” Kate assured her as she led her into a room at the top of the stairs. “Summer and Clay are basically the unbeatable team. You should hear sometime what happened to Summer a few months ago. Although I guess it’s not the kind of story you want to hear when someone is after you. Sorry.” She offered an apologetic smile.

      Emma smiled back.

      These were the people she’d accused Tyler of valuing more than her? First of all, the accusation had been empty, borne of some desire to hurt him and a desperation to see if he’d choose her, if he’d cared enough to make things permanent. Tyler had always held his emotions in check and while she’d known in college that he’d loved her, it had been hard to tell how much.

      Maybe she’d panicked when she’d seen the two lines on the pregnancy test stick. She hadn’t had a doubt that once he’d found out, Tyler would marry her immediately...

      But Emma hadn’t wanted that, hadn’t wanted to be chosen only because it was the “right” thing to do or because of the baby she’d carried. She’d spent her life in her parent’s high-society circles, being chosen because she was popular, known the right people, could network the right way.

      For once, she’d wanted to be chosen because she was Emma. Just for her.

      Tyler had loved her for her. She’d thought so, at least. And yet it hadn’t been enough. Not that it mattered now. Nothing did except keeping Luke and herself safe.

      Kate handed Emma the spare clothes and she smiled gratefully. “Thanks, I can’t wait to be out of these.”

      “Kinda rough seeing your ex for the first time in a hospital gown, huh?” Kate’s half grin softened the words. Emma guessed the woman was probably just a straight shooter who didn’t sugar coat much. She seemed to remember Tyler telling her that Alaskans were often like that.

      “Beyond rough. At least it wasn’t the worst part of today.”

      “I guess not. You’re in good hands, though. Our family protects its own.”

      “I’m not...”

      Kate just stared at her. “Isn’t Luke Tyler’s son?”

      Emma nodded.

      “Then even if Tyler never speaks to you again, that makes me Luke’s aunt. And that makes you family. In a weird way, maybe, but we’re not going to let anything happen to you, Emma.”

      Tears stung the corners of her eyes. When was the last time someone had stood up for her like that? Welcomed her so unquestioningly? Emma didn’t know.

      “I’ll be right outside the door. You so much as squeak and I’m coming back in, okay?” Kate stepped out.

      Emma took the clothes and changed, grateful to have something to wear and also making a mental note to ask Noah what had happened to her car so she could retrieve their belongings. Though, for now, she was incredibly grateful to Kate for the black hiking pants and green Moose Haven Lodge sweatshirt. Emma stole a glance at herself in the mirror before letting Kate back inside and winced. The sweatshirt set off her blue eyes nicely, and her hair wasn’t so bad, but nothing could mask the cut on her forehead.

      Not that it mattered. There was no one here she needed to try to impress...was there?

      She СКАЧАТЬ