"Let's try it this way. How would you feel if you'd walked in tonight? Try that on, Jack."
"I'd be pissed. I'd feel betrayed. You want me to say I fucked it up? I fucked it up. But every way I look at it ends up like this. You think I don't know how it is for you? The position you took on when your parents died? And what they all mean to you? Every one of them. I was there with you through it, Del."
"This doesn't have anything to do with-"
"Everything does, Del." Jack paused a moment, spoke more calmly now. "I know it doesn't matter that Emma has a family. She's yours."
Some of the ice thawed. "Remember that. And remember this. If you hurt her, I'll hurt you."
"That's fair. Are we okay on this?"
"Not yet."
"Let me know when we are." Jack set down the half-finished beer.
WITH NO CHOICE, EMMA BUCKLED DOWN TO FINISH THE WORK for Friday's event. She and her full crew began early Friday morning designing and creating the flowers for the other weekend events.
Late in the afternoon, she began shifting flowers from the cooler, putting others in, loading the van so her team could start dressing the house and terraces.
Once the reception was under way, she'd come back and finish what was left on her own.
Just prior to the bride's arrival, she and Beach filled the portico urns with enormous white hydrangeas. "Gorgeous. Perfect. Go on in and help Tiffany with the foyer. I'll go work with Tink around back."
She made the dash, calculating the time, checking other pots and arrangements along the route. On the terrace, she climbed the ladder to hook the white rose ball in the center of the pergola.
"I didn't think I was going to like it." Tink hauled the standing arrangements into place. "White's so, you know, white. But it's really interesting, and sort of magical. Hiya, Jack. Gee, who punched you?"
"Del and I punched each other. Just something we do every so often."
"For God's sake."
If he'd expected Emma to get fluttery about his bruised jaw, he was disappointed. Annoyance in every movement, she climbed down the ladder, set her hands on her hips. "Why is it men think beating on each other fixes anything?"
"Why do women think eating chocolate does? It's the nature of the beast."
"Tink, let's finish the swags. Chocolate at least makes you feel good," Emma said as she continued to work. "A fist in the face doesn't. And did it fix things?"
"Not completely. But it's a start."
"Is he all right?" She pressed her lips together as she glanced back at Jack. "I know Parker tried to call him, but he's been in court all day."
"He hit me first." Jack took the ladder from her, moved it where she pointed, then tapped his swollen lip. "Ouch."
With a roll of her eyes, Emma gave him a very light kiss. "I don't have time to feel sorry for you right now, but I promise to make time later if you want to stay."
"I was just going to drop by, let you know things are . . . not quite, then get out of the way. I know you're slammed through the weekend."
"I am, and you can probably find something a lot better to do than hang around here."
He'd feel guilty, just a little miserable, still somewhat pissed, she thought. It called, to her mind, for friends and family.
"But . . . you could hang around here. Or with Carter, or at my place. If you want. I'm going to duck out during the reception and finish up some things for tomorrow."
"Why don't we play it by ear?"
"That's fine." She stepped back, studied the pergola, then hooked an arm through Jack's. "What do you think?"
"That I didn't know there were so many white flowers in the world. It's elegant and fanciful at the same time."
"Exactly." She turned toward him, brushed her fingers through his hair and her lips at the corner of his abused mouth. "I need to go check the Grand Hall and the Ballroom."
"Maybe I'll see if Carter can come out and play."
"I'll see you later, if . . ."
"If," he agreed, then risked the pain for a more serious kiss. "Okay. I'll see you later."
She laughed, and made the dash inside.
CHAPTER ELEVEN
AT THE END OF THE NIGHT, WITH HER COOLER FILLED WITH bouquets, centerpieces, and arrangements for the rest of the weekend-and the full knowledge she'd have to be up by six to complete more-Emma made it as far as the sofa before she dropped.
"You're actually going to do all of this again tomorrow," Jack said. "Twice."