Chapter 13
“They’re moving to Nugget?” Rhys leaned back in his chair and put his feet up on the desk.
Clay had popped in to say hi while running errands and to catch up with his best friend. They hadn’t had time to talk since they’d found Hope. “Part time. Griffin’s giving them a great deal on a four-bedroom. That way they’ll have the extra square footage to grow into the place and Hope can have her own room when she stays over there.”
“How do you feel about Emily’s ex living a few miles down the road?”
“The truth: I wasn’t thrilled with it at first but it makes the most sense, and Emily’s over the moon that Hope won’t be splitting her time between here and the Bay Area. Drew’s an okay guy.” He grinned because in the five days since Christmas it had been like a second honeymoon for him and Emily. They’d been all over each other, hugging and kissing. And at night, while Paige slept, laying in each other’s arms, leaving no doubt in his mind that they were solid and that Drew wasn’t a threat.
“And Hope? How’s she adjusting?”
Clay made the so-so gesture with his hand. “Half the time she’s moody and sullen. It breaks Emily’s heart that Hope doesn’t remember her. You think that’s normal for a six-year-old to completely forget her parents?”
“I think it’s probably a defense mechanism, especially if the Lanes told her that her parents died. The mind is pretty powerful when it comes to protecting itself from painful truths.”
“Yeah, maybe. I just wish the kid would cut Emily a break. She’s a sweet little girl when she wants to be. And she likes to bake, which makes Em happy. They’ve been doing that together. But it’s always Maureen this and Maureen that . . . it’s grating. The woman was a goddamned felon.”
“It can’t be easy. But finding her alive and well . . . Jesus, Clay . . . you know the statistics. You’ve gotta know how lucky you are. How about the boys? How are they dealing with all this?”
“Okay, I guess. These days, the only thing Justin thinks about is Cynthia and Cody has always been an easygoing kid, except for the anxiety, which is much better now. I think when Justin goes off to college, he’ll like having a sibling at home closer to his age than Paige. And she seems to tolerate them.” He chuckled. “Actually, it’s kind of cute how she follows them around . . . Samuel, too. He’s been good with her.”
“They all lost mothers,” Rhys said about the boys. Sam’s mom was killed in a hit-and-run, leaving Rhys and Maddy to raise him. And Jen . . . for all her problems, Justin and Cody had loved her and grieved her passing. “For all intents and purposes, Maureen was Hope’s mother.”
“Yeah. Well the kid’s got Stockholm syndrome. Enough about us, how was your Christmas? You get Maddy that grill?”
Rhys laughed. “Nah, I took your advice. Got her jewelry, instead.”
“And you’re still married.” Clay lifted an eyebrow in an I-told-you-so fashion. “I better get moving. I still need to get a haircut and Emily’s got a baking blog to write for the Nugget Tribune. I promised to take Paige off her hands for a few hours.”
“What are you guys doing tomorrow for New Year’s Eve? We’re having a bunch of people over. Maddy wasn’t sure whether you wanted to stay home with just the family.”
Clay shrugged. “I’ll talk to Emily and see what she thinks.”
He strolled out of the station house and waved goodbye to Connie, who was fielding calls. The Nugget Mafia had taken up residence at the barbershop, instead of Griff’s Gas and Go, which in the last couple of years had become their new home.
“How’s things going with the girl?” Owen asked, and motioned for Clay to take a seat in his chair before swishing a cape around his neck.
“Harper’s doing great.”
“Thought her name was Hope,” the mayor said.
“She goes by Harper now.” Clay didn’t want to get into it, not with these guys, who were the worst gossips in town.
“Sounds like a boy’s name,” Owen said.
“Well it’s not.” He pointed at his hair in the mirror. “Just a little off the sides and back.”
Owen pulled his scissors from a canister with blue sanitizer and began to snip at the edges of Clay’s hair. “That cookie swap deal that Annie and Emily organized was a big hit from what I hear. According to Donna, it raised a lot of money. Darla says she sold quite a bit of product that day.” He gazed at a line of shelves filled with fancy shampoos and hair-styling goop.
“That’s good.” The cookie swap was the farthest thing from Clay’s mind but it was a better conversation topic than whether Harper was a boy’s name. “Emily says there’s talk of it becoming an annual event.”
“I thought it was pretty stupid, myself. But Darla was happy. And the Baker’s Dozen coven was falling all over themselves with self-congratulations.”
“Yep,” Clay said absently. “You almost done?”
“Why is everyone in a hurry these days?” Owen continued evening out the sides, then shaved the back of Clay’s neck and spun him around so he could see the cut from all angles. “Good?”
“Perfect.” The fact was he was in a rush to get home.
Owen took off the cape and met Clay at the cash register.
“What do you got here?” he asked, perusing a display of hair clips.
“Darla got it in her head to sell them.” Owen looked unimpressed. “Who’s gonna spend fifteen bucks on a blingy barrette?”
“I don’t know, it seems to me that Darla knows what she’s doing. I’ll take the one with pearls for Emily.” Clay pulled out his wallet and laid a couple of twenties on the counter. “On second thought, give me the pink rhinestone one, too.” Hope was crazy for pink. He’d get one for Paige but she was a little on the bald side, he chuckled to himself and pulled out another twenty.
On his way out, he called Happy New Year to the mafia.
Owen called back, “Tell Emily I couldn’t be happier for her. Damn Christmas miracle, finding that girl.”
Yes it was. He just wished Hope would let Emily in, make her feel like the girl’s mother, instead of like a stranger.
* * *
They were going to Samuel’s house for New Year’s Eve dinner and Champagne. Well, sparkling apple cider for the kids, which was fine by Harper. She’d once tasted Champagne at Leslie Hamilton’s house when they’d snuck what was left of a bottle to her room. It had tasted horrible and the bubbles had gone up Harper’s noise.
She looked at herself in the full-length mirror in her room. Her stuff had finally come and she and Emily had set it up just the way it had been at her old house in Morton. The room here, though, was bigger and had a pretty view of the mountains, the river, and the apartment where Drew and Kristy had stayed. Everyone called it the barn. Even though it looked like a barn from the outside, it had fancy furniture and a ginormous kitchen, where Emily worked on her cookbooks, on the inside.
Everything here was . . . well, she wouldn’t call it fancy but expensive, like it came from nice stores and not the Goodwill or a garage sale. Harper could tell that Emily didn’t like her old stuff from the Morton house and wanted to buy new. The whole time they’d decorated Harper’s room together, Emily had cried, which she did constantly. But the furniture and pictures were all she had left of Maureen and Duke. And even if they weren’t her real parents, she missed them and didn’t want to throw her old things out like they didn’t exist.
So, Clay, Justin, and Cody had helped clear out the room to make space for her bed and dresser, which had come in a big moving truck. Then they’d carried in her nightstand, posters, stuffed animals, and boxes of clothes, even though she’d gotten a ton more for Christmas. Emily helped her hang all of it in the big walk-in closet.
Next week, they were going to decorate her bathroom. Emily said they could paint it any color she wanted. She was glad she didn’t have to share with Justin and Cody because they were messy and it would be embarrassing if they walked in on her. She got her own bedroom and bathroom at Drew and Kristy’s new house, too. It was like a resort with a big swimming pool, tennis courts, a clubhouse, and a golf course. Kristy said Justin and Cody—and Paige when she got older—could come over and use the stuff whenever they wanted to. Even Cynthia.
At first, Harper didn’t think Kristy wanted to live in Nugget but when she saw Sierra Heights her whole attitude changed. All of sudden she seemed excited and kept talking about all the friends they’d invite to the mountains. It was going to be weird having two houses but Harper was looking forward to swimming in that pool. Cody said in the summertime they could also go in the river, which she used to do in Morton. It hadn’t been as bad as she thought it would be moving here.
Emily even let her hold Paige and change her diaper and Clay let her sit behind him on Big Red. She was still nervous about going to a new school but at least she already knew Cody, Samuel, and Katie.
“You almost ready, honey?” Emily tapped on the door.
“I’ll be out in a few minutes.” The new skinny jeans she’d gotten for Christmas looked good on her, she thought. She started to stuff her feet into a pair of snow boots, then decided what the heck, it was New Year’s Eve and got down the pink cowboy boots Clay bought her and used his pink rhinestone barrette to clip her hair back. She gave herself one more assessing look in the mirror, decided she was ready to go and dashed down the stairs.
Everyone was waiting for her in the hallway.
“Took you long enough,” Cody said. “We’re just going next door for God’s sake.”
“You look beautiful.” Emily smiled and gave her shoulder a little squeeze. It felt nice, even though it was annoying.
“Good-looking boots.” Clay put her in a headlock with one arm and Cody in one with the other and marched them to the SUV.
Emily buckled in Paige and they drove a short distance to a house that looked just like the Lumber Baron, only smaller. There were a bunch of cars in the driveway and Harper looked for Justin’s truck. He said he and Cynthia might drop by before going to a party. When they got inside there were a lot of people.
Samuel took her coat and his sister, Lina, said they could go in his room and play video games until dinner was ready. Katie was there, too, so at least Harper wasn’t the only girl. Sam’s niece, Emma, and another girl named Lilly were the cutest little things and Harper asked one of their moms if she wanted her to babysit them. She could take Paige too.
“That’s okay,” said the lady. “You guys go have fun. There’s plenty of people down here to watch them but that was very sweet of you to offer. I’m Sophie by the way. I’m good friends of your parents.”
Harper didn’t know if she meant Emily and Clay or Emily and Drew. But she just smiled and went upstairs to Sam’s room where they took turns playing Call of Duty on Sam’s PlayStation. It was rated “M.” Maureen and Duke hadn’t allowed her to play violent games but maybe Sam’s brother and sister-in-law were less anal about stuff like that.
About twenty minutes later, someone called upstairs that it was time for dinner and they went down to the kitchen. Cody led the way. Harper had never seen a kid eat so much in her life. Even Justin, who was a lot bigger, couldn’t pack it in the way Cody did.
They were having salad, prime rib, mashed potatoes, Brussels sprouts, these really good rolls, and a bunch of stuff Harper didn’t think she would like. Some guy named Brady had made everything and all the adults were going nuts for it. She only put a little on her plate because she was a picky eater and wanted to save room for Emily’s pecan pie, which she had helped make.
From across the kitchen, Emily made a face at her and she took an extra helping of salad to make her happy. Why was everyone always trying to get her to eat more vegetables? Cody saved her a place at the “kids” table. And Justin finally showed up with Cynthia, whose dress was so short you could practically see her butt. Donna Thurston, the lady who owned the Bun Boy, tried to cover her with a jacket. Emily told Donna to leave Cynthia alone, which was nice because Harper could tell she was embarrassed.
Justin came over to Harper’s table and kissed her on the cheek, then said hi to the others. It was weird having big brothers but she kind of liked it, especially because everyone thought Justin and Cody were babes and girls got the giggles around them, like Katie Rodriguez.
After Justin and Cynthia left, a lot of adults came over to talk to her and tell her how happy they were that she was living in Nugget and how much Emily had missed her. Ordinarily, it would’ve made her uncomfortable but no one said anything bad about Maureen and Duke and they all seemed friendly and not phony. At midnight, they made a toast and everyone left. On the way home, she must’ve fallen asleep in the truck. The next morning, she had no memory of getting ready for bed or changing into her new cow pajamas. But here she was, safe and warm.
* * *
Emily hummed while making chocolate-banana pancake batter for breakfast. Paige had slept through most of the night after she and Clay had rung in the new year tangling up the sheets. He was such a good man and her resolution for the new year was to dote on him because he took such wonderful care of her and their family that he needed special attention.
Now if only Hope would come around. Then she’d have everything she ever wanted. Her daughter back, an amazing family, a town with great friends, and a house full of love.
“You’re up early,” she said when Hope wandered into the kitchen, dressed in another one of the outfits Emily had given her for Christmas.
“Early? I was supposed to feed the horses ten minutes ago. Is Clay mad?”
“Of course not, honey. We were out late last night. In fact, he and Ramon took care of the chores this morning so you, Justin and Cody could sleep in. You hungry?”
Hope sniffed the air. “Smells good. Did you used to make them for me when I was little?”
Emily felt a smile spread through her insides. “As a matter of fact, I did. Do you remember?”
“No. I just figured you did. I’m going outside to make sure the horses are okay.” She grabbed her silver jacket off the hook, put it on, and took off.
“She’s lying.” Clay came in, buttoning his shirt with his hair wet. “She remembered those pancakes. I saw it in her face.”
“That’s okay.” Emily shrugged but her smile was replaced with cold resentment for Maureen and Duke and deep disappointment. “The important thing is that we found her and she appears to be as normal as any thirteen-year-old.”
“Yup. She’s a good girl, she just doesn’t want you to know it.” He pulled Emily into his arms. “Stay tough.”
“I will. Any signs of life upstairs?”
“One of them is up, using the bathroom. I got a blast of cold water while I was in the shower.”
“I keep meaning to have Colin look at the plumbing to see if he can fix that.”
“Old pipes.” He glanced over at Paige’s carrier on the center island. “Looks like the princess is awake.”
“She is. I just fed and changed her so she’s a happy camper. Clay, do you think Hope will like it here?”
“I think she already does. Did you see her last night? She fit right in and seemed to enjoy herself with Cody and his crew. Kids are resilient, Em, and you’re her mother. Her real mother in every way. You not only gave birth to her, but you cared for and loved her until she was ripped from you. You never stopped feeling that love and you never gave up hope.”
“I just wish . . . oh never mind. I’ve got to focus on how grateful I am. For her, for you, for the boys and our beautiful daughter.” She rose up and kissed him. “I love you.”
“I love you, too.”
“You two making out again?” Justin stepped around them, stuck a finger in the pancake batter, and licked it. “Mmm, good.”
“As soon as your brother comes down, we’ll eat.” Emily got a package of bacon out of the fridge.
“Where’s Harper?”
“She went to the barn to check on the horses.”
“She did?” Both men said in unison and Clay’s lips curved up. “We’ll make a cowgirl of her yet.”
She cut open the bag and laid bacon strips in a fry pan and started the coffee. “I was thinking that after breakfast we could show her the tree and bench.” Three years ago, Clay had planted an oak for Hope next to the one his great-grandfather had put in the ground more than a hundred years earlier.
“This is Hope’s tree, Emily. No matter where she is, her spirit lives here. That’s her bench. No matter where she is, we’ll sit here and always think of her,” he’d told her before proposing. The words had filled her with tears and so much love that she’d brimmed over with it.
“Good idea,” Clay said.
“What is?” asked Cody, still wearing his pajamas and a bad case of bed head.
Justin told him just as Hope walked in the door. They all turned as she stood in the mudroom, rubbing her hands together to get warm.
“The horses okay?” Clay asked.
“You forgot to fill their second water trough.” She took off her jacket, hung it on the hook and pried off her boots before coming all the way inside the kitchen.
“I did?” Clay scrubbed his hand over his chin.
“I took care of it,” she said and Emily watched as a grin spread over Clay’s face.
“Go wash up,” she told Hope. “Breakfast will be on the table in five minutes.”
As she ran upstairs Clay said, “We’ve got a cowgirl for sure.”
Emily was glad that Hope was showing a penchant for ranch life. If only she showed similar enthusiasm for being Emily’s daughter.
After breakfast Emily went upstairs to get her down jacket for the walk to the oak tree. It had stopped snowing but it was at least thirty degrees outside. While putting it on, she felt something heavy in the pocket and slipped her hand inside to see what it was. All at once, she remembered the folded notes Maureen had handed her before she’d died. Amidst the chaos and confusion, Emily had forgotten to look at it. At the time, she’d figured it was a written confession. She sat on the bed, turned on the nightstand lamp, and unfolded the sheaf of papers.
The first page was a drawing of a house, a woman, a man, and a child. Emily recognized the home instantly. It was her and Drew’s in Palo Alto. She could tell because of the baker weathervane on the roof. Drew had had the unusual rooftop ornament specially made for her for their wedding anniversary. He’d gone up on the roof to install it while she and six-year-old Hope had watched from the sidewalk.
She took a deep breath, her heart pounding and with a shaking hand turned to the second page. A letter written in childlike scrawl.
“Dear Mom and Dad, I miss you but know you are in heaven. Love, Hope.”
She read it over and over again and with every new pass something inside her blossomed like a flower garden filled with promise. And hope.
The third page was from Maureen. A shaky handed note from a dying woman that simply read, “She never forgot you or her name. Please forgive us.”
Emily let out a guttural cry as tears ran down her face. She wrapped her arms around her midsection, trying to keep from falling completely apart.
She never forgot you or her name.
“My sweet, sweet girl,” she said between sobs. “How I love you.”
“Hey, why are you crying?” Clay came in, shut the door, and sat next to her on the bed.
She handed him the drawing. “That’s Drew and my house in Palo Alto. Do you see the date?”
He examined the picture. “She was eight.”
“She didn’t forget us, Clay. At least not entirely. She thought we were in heaven.” She sniffled and Clay pulled her into his arms.
He rocked her gently. “It’s a lot for a child to absorb.”
“I know.” She grabbed a box of tissues from the side table and blew her nose. “But this makes me feel better . . . like I wasn’t forgotten. . . like I mean something to her.”
“You mean something to her, otherwise she wouldn’t be adjusting as well as she is.”
It was the truth. Little by little, the six-year-old girl Emily had lost and then found was reemerging. Sometimes their connection was so strong she could feel it in her chest. Other times, Hope seemed to delight in shutting her out. But they had a lifetime to rediscover each other. A lifetime of memories to build. And a lifetime of happiness ahead of them. All she had to do was believe and have hope.
“Come on,” Clay said. “Let’s show Hope her tree.”
Emily pushed off the bed. “Let’s do it.”
Arm and arm they went downstairs, gathered up their family and walked outside into the crisp, cold air.
“I’ll race you,” Cody said, and the rest watched as he and Hope sprinted across the dirt path that led to the oaks.
By the time they caught up to the two, Hope and Cody were bent over with their hands on their knees, breathing hard and grinning.
“This time Emily and me,” Hope said. “To the fence.”
They ran side by side, laughing as the sun peeked through the clouds, ushering in a bright new year, where the best was yet to come.