“Thank you for the lovely meal,” Emma said to my mother. “But you didn’t have to go to all this trouble.”

“No trouble at all, Emma. It’s been too long since we’ve had company and more than two people at this table.”

“We’ll definitely need to change that. At least while I’m here. Right, Eric?”

She took my hand into hers, right on top of the table. My mother took a sharp breath in. A wide smile stretched across her face. I hadn’t seen that kind of joy in years. Emma was sure playing the girlfriend part to a T. Except that as of this afternoon, she didn’t need to play it, did she?

“Of course, darling.” I leaned over and kissed her on the cheek, wondering how far I could push her before she was melting in my mouth again. The exchange felt so natural that I could have fooled myself into believing we’d known each other for more than a week. Her sweet smell infused the air around me, having quite the unexpected effect on my pulse.

“So, Emma. What do you do in New York? Tell us a little about your family.”

Emma happily went into telling stories about her parents, brothers, nieces, and nephews, wisely skipping the part about Cross Enterprises and her current case. I’d never seen a woman talk about her family with so much enthusiasm and love. It made my heart clench, as that had always been what my parents wanted; yet as hard as they tried, they were never able to achieve it. My parents listened as if she were telling some sort of a fairytale about a happy family they’d once had and lost. A tear collected at the corner of my mom’s eye as some fond memories of our happier times before our kidnapping must have come back to her. Unlike now, our home used to be a happy one, full of laughter and giggles, and I couldn’t help but want to have that feeling once again. Was Emma the woman who could help me bring it back? Was she the one who could finally bring our family together? She was here only on a job, though, and I had so much hope and expectation in my heart I was afraid I’d break if she found Huntz too quickly and left before I had the chance to make her want to stay longer – maybe forever. Chills swept along my arms and, as if sensing that I needed her, Emma gently grasped my thigh under the table, smoothing her hand over it. My body responded with an instant swell in my boxers. I swore that woman would be the death of me.

The comforting gesture tugged at my heart, and I got the feeling that she had definitely been sent here for a purpose – not only to help me but also to heal my family, which has been torn apart for so long. My stomach flipped inside out when I thought about the pain my parents had gone through and the fear that remained within the perimeters of my childhood home. Could Emma change that? Was there any possible way she could mend my parents’ fears merely with her presence? From the sound of my father’s belted laugh I thought I saw a spark of hope in my mother’s eyes. Emma was telling them about Jack and the twins. My mom gasped every time she mentioned a family holiday at a table suitable for a kingdom that could host each member of the Cross family. And when she mentioned Christmas traditions, my mom could no longer keep her tears concealed.

“I would love it if you could both visit us in New Jersey,” Emma said, suddenly making me aware of what her invitation implied. Me and Emma together as a couple for much longer than I could have hoped. She cautiously eyed me from the side, studying me carefully as I listened to every word that came out of her beautifully smart mouth. I nodded in agreement, noticing the immediate effect it had on her pulse. Was she being serious? I doubted the invitation wasn’t honest – after all, if my parents accepted, she couldn’t back out. But Emma was smart: seeing this sad and over-secure house, she knew they’d never leave.

“Thank you so much, sweetheart. But I don’t think we could leave here,” my mother replied, confirming my suspicions, a little sadness gleaming in her eyes.

“I guess a farm this size must be a lot of work, but I’m sure someone could help out while you’re away for a few days. You’d love it there.”

“We’ve lived here our entire lives, and we’re just used to it.” My mother shrugged. “Most of the land is leased, so all we have to take care of are the pigs. We were hoping one of the kids would take it over one day, but Eric’s grandfather bequeathed him the ranch, and Annabelle seems to want a city life.”

“So this is your retirement?” Emma asked in surprise. “I mean, how long were you thinking of tending to the pigs? It can’t be an easy job. I mean, other than some of the men I’d met in New York, I don’t know much about the animals, but the workload must tire you out.”

My father chuckled.

At the thought of some of the pigs that Emma could have dated, I felt rage boil in my veins. But Emma was right. It wouldn’t take more than a few more years before my parents’ strength ran out.

“This has always been our life,” my mother replied. “It doesn’t feel like work. And we’ll sell them one day when we can’t take care of them anymore. Just… not yet. They’re important.”

They looked at each other in that loving way. The exchange was so rare I got lost in it myself. It reminded me of the good old days. It seemed that Emma was bringing all that love out of my parents without even knowing it. My parents weren’t keeping the pigs for themselves. They meant much more than anyone could understand. They had been a part of us when we were happy, and giving them away would mean losing another part of their lives that they couldn’t afford to lose right now.

“My parents started purchasing pigs by accident,” I explained. “It was Annabelle’s idea, and the team just grew from year to year.”

“So Annabelle will be returning to Ogden, then? I got the impression she wanted to stay away.”

“Your perception is correct, Emma. It seems Annabelle wants to remain in San Francisco for now. And I don’t blame her. But we’re still hoping she’ll change her mind one day. God has a way of working miracles. I’m sure when she comes home to visit after graduation, she’ll remember her roots. It’s not easy living away from the people you love,” my mother said.

Emma flinched at her reply, and for a moment pulled her hand away from mine, most likely taking my mother’s words to heart.

Why did it suddenly feel like I’d been stabbed in the chest? Could I ever convince Emma to give us a real chance? She must have been aware what that would mean: one of us leaving our family. Getting closer to each other could prove more dangerous than I wanted to admit. While I could never leave the ranch or my parents, she was tied to Cross Enterprises and her family life as well. She’d need to finish her case here and leave me, wouldn’t she? Was it even worth getting involved with this stunning woman who had stolen my heart the minute I saw her? Everything inside me shouted ‘yes,’ but was it what was best for Emma? I already felt like we were a unit that couldn’t be broken. Was this too fast?

“You said you don’t blame Annabelle. Why?” she asked. I instinctively squeezed her thigh under the table, but it was already too late.

My mom’s hands began to shake as she clasped them together and lowered her head.

“I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to upset you.” Emma lowered her voice.

Fuck! Getting my mom into one of her trances was the last thing I’d wanted. It wasn’t Emma’s fault. I should have been more specific about Annabelle and my mother and why my sister meant so much to her. There was one more secret our family held that Emma wasn’t aware of. A secret that was too difficult to share.

“It’s not your fault, Emma. Annabelle and Eric went through a lot when they were young. See, a man who wanted to harm our family kidnapped our children from their room at a young age. Annabelle could never forget it. And that’s why I don’t blame her for not wanting to live here.”

“That’s awful. I’m assuming they didn’t catch him, since she doesn’t want to come home.”

“You’re a smart girl, Emma. That’s right, Huntz has never been caught, but we won’t let that scare us. We need to go on for our kids and for all those who never get their kids back. We were fortunate that Eric and Annabelle escaped.”

There was more to this story that my mother had skipped, and I knew I’d have to fill Emma in on it later.

“Has anyone seen Huntz since?” Emma asked. “He couldn’t have simply disappeared.”

My mom’s head shot up. She looked Emma right in her eyes and said, “No, we haven’t seen him since. And neither has anyone in this town.”

Emma held her gaze, and for the first time tonight, I got the feeling that my mother was lying. Had Emma caught onto it as well? Had Huntz come back, and they didn’t tell me? Had he threatened my parents again? God, I hoped Emma could find the bastard, so I could end this family’s years of misfortune once and for all.

“Do you know why he kidnapped the kids?” Emma asked.

“He wanted our farm.”

“Why?”

“I don’t know, dear. There’s nothing here, but it’s all we have. We never thought he’d go to such measures. If we’d known, we would have given him everything he wanted just to leave our children alone. But now they’re all grown up. We’re the only ones left here, and there’s no one to protect. I don’t see a reason to give up our home.”

“No one’s asking you to do so, Ma.” I reached over the table and took her frail hand in mine, holding it for a moment. “You’re safe, and we’re safe. Let’s change the subject, please.”

Emma shifted uncomfortably in her seat before perking up again. “I would love it if you could join us for the summer fest. I don’t know many people around here, and it would be lovely to see some familiar faces.”

I froze. My parents’ faces dropped for a moment. Pain was marked in their eyes, regret in the creases of their foreheads, and guilt near their tight smiles. While Emma’s invitation was meant to ease the conversation, it was not welcome. And even though my parents wanted to hide how they’d been affected, no one could mistake the seconds-long torture they’d just experienced.

“You don’t want two old farts there, Emma. You young kids enjoy yourselves.” My father spoke first.

“But I thought the fest was for everyone? It would really make me feel better knowing some people there, Mrs. Waters.”

My mother looked to my father, then at me. I nodded in encouragement. Perhaps Emma was right. Maybe if my parents faced their darkest demons head on, they could finally move away from their past and reclaim some sort of a future. My mother picked up her head and smiled kindly, saying, “Please, call me Joanne. We’ll try. I can’t promise, but we will definitely try.”

A glimmer of light sparked in her eyes, like she’d somehow been set free. I couldn’t help but feel like it was Emma’s doing. She was having the same effect on my parents as she had on me.

“Thank you.”

“We better get going, Ma. We’ve already overstayed our welcome.” I stood up from the table and helped Emma move her chair back as well.

“Nonsense, Eric. This will always be your home, no matter how far away you move. And you must promise to bring Emma over for dinner as well. A family dinner.” She sighed, looking younger by at least a decade since Emma had walked into the house.

“I’d love that, Joanne. Because I really want to meet the pigs and see the lake. Will you take me to the lake, Eric?” She hung onto my arm, full of expectation. How could I say no to her? She could have asked me to sleep with the pigs and I’d have agreed.

“Of course I will.” I leaned over and planted a quick one on her lips. The kiss was so unexpected but appropriate. It felt good not to pretend that we were an actual couple, because the kiss had truly come from the bottom of my heart, and those were the only kind of kisses I wanted to give her.

I strolled over to my mother and kissed her on top of her head before wrapping my arm around Emma’s waist and pulling her closer to me. This felt too fucking good. Her soft curves pressed into mine, immediately infusing my veins with lust. I could already picture her body writing underneath mine as I kissed her silky skin. The smell of her and me blending, our limbs entangling, bodies rocking, and the sweet sound of her whimpers as I soothed every need she ever had. If I didn’t have her soon, I was sure my balls would explode.

“For what it’s worth, I’m glad you got your kids back safely.” Emma’s gaze lifted and she looked right at me, her long lashes flapping provocatively. “Otherwise I wouldn’t have met this wonderful man.”

My mom drew her hand to her chest. She regarded us both before saying, “You know, Emma, maybe we will join you at the fest after all. It’s time this family regained the strength and camaraderie it once had.”

Emma jumped up and squealed with happiness before running around the table to hug her. “Thank you so much. This is going to be so much fun. I’d never been to a summer fest. Is there anything I should know? Should I bake a pie or something?”

“Oh, don’t worry about the food. The ladies from the town’s women’s circle will take care of it all. Just bring yourself and a good pair of cowboy boots to dance in.”

Cowboy boots she definitely had, and remembering her moves from the strip club, I had no doubt that Emma could hold her own on the dance floor.