Smiling, Emma stood across from her father against the fireplace, and they launched into a debate about her grandfather’s research and the impact it would have on an entire field of study.
They paused when Jules came in, rubbing her hands together and refusing to look at Kyle. Underneath the dim lighting, he looked a little paler than usual, but Emma was left wondering if it was a trick of the light. She frowned when Kyle brushed past Jules and went into the kitchen. He busied himself with the remaining few dishes but avoided Jules’s gaze when he came back in.
The two of them studiously avoided each other while the table was being set.
Emma frowned when she found herself sitting between Marley and Jack while Jules sat across from her, having selected a seat next to Derek and her grandfather. All through dinner, they told stories and spoke over each other, but Emma couldn’t help but notice that Jules was pushing the food around her plate. Kyle was nibbling on little bits of his food, halfheartedly offering Marie a smile when she placed a hand on his arm.
Marie made a vague hand gesture and whispered something to Kyle, who offered her a genuine smile. Emma glanced over at Jules and waited for her to look up. As soon as she did, Emma raised her glass in her daughter’s direction and waited.
For a long moment, Jules didn’t react.
When Jules blinked, her eyes were swimming with unshed tears. Abruptly, she pushed her chair back with a screech and darted out of the dining room. Emma half-rose to follow her, but it was Jack’s hand on her arm that stopped her. He gave her a slight shake of his head, and she saw the long look her mother was giving her. Slowly, reluctantly, Emma made herself sit back down and spent the rest of the dinner trying to enjoy the lively conversation.
Marley was telling one of her funny anecdotes involving her volunteer time as a secret Santa when Kyle stood. Six pairs of eyes settled on him as he dabbed his mouth and pushed his chair back. Wordlessly, he carried his plate into the kitchen and muttered something under his breath. Emma leaned sideways in her seat and breathed a sigh of relief when she saw him take the stairs two at a time.
A moment later, she heard the door to their bedroom creak open.
Emma added a spoonful of mashed potatoes to her plate before passing it to Marley. “This is delicious, Mom. You’ve outdone yourself.”
Marie beamed, color creeping up her neck and cheeks. “I’m glad you’re all enjoying yourself. It’s been a long time since we’ve had this many people over. Marley, Jack, and Derek, you’ve all made our dinner so much livelier.”
“I’ll drink to that.” Henry took a long sip of his cabarnet, looking brighter and more cheerful than he had in a long time. “Here’s to new friends.”
“And old ones,” Marie added, a soft twinkle in her eyes. “And here’s to new beginnings.”
“And coming home,” Emma added, pausing to raise her glass to the air. She glanced around the table, the swelling inside her heart only growing as she did. “I’m so glad we’re all here together.”
Everyone clinked their glasses together and smiled.
Jack started telling a story about Derek as he passed around more of the food. A short while later, Jules and Kyle returned, a wide berth between them. In silence, Kyle pulled the chair out for Jules, and she sat down, her eyes red-rimmed and her cheeks flushed. She ate a few more bites of her food, but she looked miserable the whole time.
Like she wanted to be anywhere else.
After dinner, everyone helped clear the table and stood in the kitchen to help Marie. While they were all laughing and talking to each other, Emma ducked outside to find Jules on the back porch. She sat on the steps, knees drawn to her chest and hunched over in her coat. Emma’s heart twisted as she draped a blanket over her shoulders and sat beside her.
Immediately, Jules leaned into her mother and blew out a breath. “You didn’t have to come out here.”
Emma wrapped an arm around her shoulders and exhaled. “I know, but I wanted to. Is everything okay with you and Kyle?”
Jules let out a deep, shuddering breath. “I don’t know.”
“Let’s go watch a movie. They’re having a showing ofWhile You Were Sleepingat Harper’s Brew in a couple of days. There will be cushions, bean bags, and plenty of hot chocolate and gingerbread cookies.”
Jules sniffed and inched closer. “I’d like that.”
Emma pressed a kiss to the side of her daughter’s head and held her closer, wishing she could take all of her pain away. “Whatever it is, I’m sure it’s going to be okay. I’m here, baby. I’m not going anywhere.”
Rockport wasn’t too far away, and she was going to make sure Jules didn’t feel abandoned.
No matter how long it took or what hoops she had to jump through.
After everything Jules had suffered, Emma owed her daughter at least that much.
Chapter Twenty-Three
Henry leaned back in his swivel chair and ran a hand through his thinning hair. “It’s worth how much again?”
He cradled the phone between his neck and shoulders and glanced over at Emma, who was organizing his bookshelves and humming to herself. She held a few hardbacks in her hand, pristine and embossed on the back, and twisted to face him. The smile fell from her face as she rushed over and took the phone out of his hand. After hanging up, she helped her dad sit up straighter and reached for the bottle of water on his desk.
