Unexpectedly Hers(24)
Once inside, she bent at the waist and grabbed her knees. Please, God. Please bring Wyatt home to his brother. No more tragedies in the Lawson family.
Blowing out a breath, she sent up another prayer. She’d planned a protein-rich meal of grilled salmon tacos and avocado slaw. Wyatt would be back in a while, and he’d be hungry. While the dough rested, she fetched the tortilla press for her masa harina mix and kept working.
What seemed like a century later, Andy burst through the door. “Good news, Em. Wyatt’s been rescued by Buddy. I bet that was his first-ever use of a transceiver. Wyatt’s lucky he was only a little more than two feet under the snow. It’s not easy for a single skier to find another and dig him out on his own. If Wyatt had been under five or more feet of snow, this might’ve had a different ending.” Andy must’ve seen the horror in her eyes, because he rested a hand on her shoulder. “Sorry, but cheer up. Wyatt’s at the clinic now getting checked out. Amazingly, he didn’t have any major injuries.”
“Thank God.” Emma practically fell against the counter. “I’m so relieved. So, so relieved. Ryder couldn’t have handled worse news.”
Apparently sensing her post-adrenaline weakening, Andy gave her a hug and kiss on the head. “Em. Always stuck in here taking on everyone’s worries. Giving all your energy to others. I wish you’d invest in your own happiness now and then. How about you let me get you out of this kitchen for some fun?”
Emma frowned, her face still pressed to his chest. He meant well, she knew that. Still, is that how he—how everyone—saw her? A polite, pathetic spinster of yore—lonely and timid and hiding from the world? For the second time in as many days, she also wondered whether Andy was skirting the line between friendship and something more.
She didn’t want to cross it, so she eased out of the comforting embrace. “Despite your opinion, I like being of service to others. And my heart can handle caring for a variety of people in a variety of ways. As for getting out of the kitchen, I go out with all my friends, you included, when I have free time.”
“I didn’t mean to offend you. You know I think you’re great. I just see Avery and Kelsey planning weddings, and hate to think that you might be . . .”
Clearly, he didn’t know how to finish the sentence, so Emma just snickered. “I’m glad for Avery and Kelsey. Hopefully, one day I’ll fall in love. If I don’t get so lucky, at least I’ll have all this other love in my life.”
Truthfully, a little part of her still worried about Kelsey. Things seemed rosy between her and Trip now, despite their earlier setbacks, but Trip reminded Emma of her dad. Charming, handsome, flirtatious. Hopefully Trip wouldn’t miss the affection of other women the way her father had.
Andy cocked his head when he heard a car door slam. He raced to the window. “It’s just Avery and Ryder.”
“I’ll break the news to Ryder so he’s prepared when Wyatt returns.” Emma bustled out of the kitchen with Andy on her heels, hoping her smile didn’t look as brittle as her bones felt under her skin.
“Hey, Em!” Avery smiled, blue eyes bright and sparkling as she held the front door for Ryder. “This guy deserves extra dessert tonight. He worked hard.”
“I’m glad you had a productive day. Avery, could you hang here for a bit? Your expertise may come in handy. Andy can fill you in, but I need to talk to Ryder alone for a minute.”
Avery’s quizzical gaze turned from Emma to Andy, who waved her over to the front desk.
“Ryder, sit with me in the parlor for a second.” Emma followed him to the sofa. Once they were seated, she forced herself to look him eye-to-sunglasses. “Everything is okay, but Wyatt had an accident today.”
Ryder’s posture straightened, but his face gave nothing away.
“I don’t have all the details, but there was an avalanche. According to the report Andy got from a friend on ski patrol, he made it out without major injury. I expect him soon, but I think he’s going to need extra support tonight.”
Ryder stared out the window. She imagined his blue eyes turning as gray as the dull sky outside. When he finally spoke, his voice was just that flat. “I knew this could happen.”
“I know. I think, though, that he probably doesn’t need an ‘I told you so’ now.” Emma laid a hand on Ryder’s knee. “I don’t have any siblings, so I envy the kind of bond you guys must share. Think hard about damaging your relationship over a disagreement. Maybe being right isn’t as important as getting behind him and his goals. Had things gone worse today, I doubt you’d have wanted this morning’s conversation to have been your last memory.”