Emma made him take a few sips of water before letting him speak. “I’m fine. It’s just a lot more money than I was expecting.”
Emma knelt in front of him and frowned. “Maybe that’s a little too much excitement for you.”
“They’re saying they want to pay to have the artifact on display at the Boston Research Institute. Can you imagine that?”
Emma yanked on the nearest drawer and pulled out the case labeled with the days of the week. “I thought we agreed you were going to take it easy while you recover. You need to be taking your meds more regularly.”
Henry waved her comment away. “I was going to take them later.”
At noon on the dot, the door to the study flew open, and Marie came in with a tray of fruit cake and hot chocolate. She made Henry eat a few bites in spite of his protests, and then, he washed his medicine down with the hot chocolate. After he was done, Marie wrapped her arms around him for a hug, and he patted her behind.
Laughing, she swatted his hand away and ambled off, pausing in the doorway to give them both a bright smile. “I’ve got to go to a meeting at the hospital. Will you two be all right?”
Emma rose to her feet and smiled. “Don’t worry, Mom. We’ll be just fine.”
Marie pulled the door shut behind her, plunging them into silence. Emma turned to her father and raised an eyebrow. “We’re not done talking about your health.”
Henry had crumbs on his sweater and the front of his jeans. “I’m fine, sweetheart. There’s nothing to worry about. You being here has already made me better.”
Emma sighed. “While I’d love to take credit for that, you and I both know it has nothing to do with me. I’m notthatgood.”
Henry stopped eating and looked at her. “You’re right. You’re better than whatever the doctors prescribed.”
Emma stepped out from behind the desk and sat down on one of the leather armchairs. “We agreed that while we work on the research, you’re still going to take care of yourself.”
Henry blew out a breath and leaned back in his chair. “You’re right. I’m just so excited. I can fund an astronomy scholarship, just like Dad always wanted.”
Emma smiled. “You might want to pay off the bank first, you know, because of the foreclosure.”
Henry made a face as he waved her comment away. “I’ll get around to that.”
“You’ll do that first,” Emma argued, narrowing her eyes at him. “You’re not going to be of any use to them if you don’t have a home.”
“They’re already interested in the research we’re working on, said your grandfather’s notes are revolutionary. I think a few of them even recognized his name.”
Emma linked her fingers together and sat back. “Good. I had no idea Grandpa was so famous.”
Or that his name was revered in certain circles.
Since starting their joint project two days ago, it had been a whirlwind of phone calls and hours spent scouring the internet for information. Late into the night, the two of them sat up, laughing, talking, and dreaming until Marie came in to drag them both back upstairs. In bed, Emma would lay awake and imagine all of the good they were going to do—how they were going to change the face of the scientific community.
It wasn’t what she’d come to Rockport in search of.
Not even close.
But something about it felt right.
For the first time in a long time, she didn’t feel like a guest in the Sullivan house.
Instead, it felt like her eyes were finally opening to the possibilities and all of the ways she could fit in and be helpful, starting with her dad’s research. When her mind wasn’t racing and spinning, Emma carved out time to work on her final case, much to the dismay of her bosses at the firm. While they hadn’t seemed surprised by the news, she’d heard the hint of contempt and judgment in their tone.
Rockport was a step back career-wise, and no amount of dressing it up would change that.
But Emma wasn’t thinking of her career or the optics or the next best move.
She wasn’t trying to stay several steps ahead of the game.
With a smile, Emma drew her father to his feet and hugged him. He was reluctant at first, then patted her back, and the smile was evident in his voice. “What’s all this for?”
