“How’d you work that one out?” Emma frowned.
“I was worried about you, which is why I’m here now. I mean, don’t get me wrong, I’d have found you eventually. But I’m here, right now, because I stopped receiving anything from you.”
“I guess.” Emma didn’t look too happy with that observation though. “If she is responsible, then I’m not sure I can easily accept it. I thought something real bad had happened to you, Logan.” She blinked tears away. “She knew how I was feeling and she saw how upset I was at losing contact with you. I don’t want to believe that she’s responsible for all my heartache these past months.” Emma pushed her half eaten plate away.
Logan had cleaned his plate and drained his cup of coffee before he focused on the woman he loved. “She’s your mom, Emma, and she obviously had her reasons, which made sense to her at the time. If she did, in fact, keep the letters. We also have to remember that she might be innocent in all this.”
“I don’t see how she can be. But we’ll find out soon.” She glanced over to where Travis was sitting. He hadn’t even glanced toward them since they’d sat down, he was engrossed in his conversation. “I hope, and I’m so going to get Travis alone at some point because curiosity is going to kill me.”
Logan stood and pulled Emma to her feet. “Stop being nosy and let your brother have some privacy. He gave us ours last night.”
“Hmm. Yeah, but you don’t know what a pain in the ass he can be.” Emma pulled her purple, thermal jacket on.
“I can imagine. I’d just rather have you to myself because I’m selfish.”
“Aww, I like the idea of that, Mr. Richards.” Emma stepped against him and reached up to his face. She cupped his cheeks and kissed him. “I like the idea of that very much, and if it wasn’t for my need to know about the letters, we’d be sneaking back into your hotel room.”
He groaned in the back of his throat. “You’re killing me.” He dipped down to capture her lips again. A cough behind him made him break the kiss and glance over his shoulder.
Logan turned back to Emma, kissed her quickly on her nose and stepped back to include Travis and Debbie.
“We’re out of here,” Travis announced. “Will I see you both at home later?”
“We’re heading out there now so it depends on how things go and how long you’re going to be.”
Travis nodded.
“Will we see you later, Debbie?” Emma asked, and took delight when her brother looked frantic.
“No, I don’t think so.” Debbie answered, her lips pulled tight, a sure sign that she wasn’t happy with Travis.
He wasn’t surprised considering she saw how Travis reacted to Emma’s question.
“Okay, well, it was nice to meet you, Debbie.” Emma said her goodbyes and kissed her brother before she made her way to the door.
Logan shook Travis’ hand and tried not to show amusement when Travis said, “Look after her. She isn’t as strong as she might appear.” With that, Travis took Debbie’s arm and walked out, past Emma.
“What was that all about?” Emma nodded in her brother’s direction as they slowly walked down the sidewalk toward his truck.
“He wanted to make sure that I looked after you.”
“I think he likes you.”
“Well, that’s makes three members of your family who like me.”
“Three?”
“You, Bree, and Travis.” He counted them off on his fingers, hoping he’d win the others over eventually, although he wasn’t sure about her mom.
“Oh, Gabe is a softy and my dad will be there today.”
He groaned. “Firing squad today, huh?”
Emma lightly punched him in the stomach and he made a low ‘oomph’. “Don’t be so dramatic.”
“Let’s get the truck cleared so we can get it over with and I can get you back here.” He wiggled his brows at Emma, and she blew him a kiss in return.
If talking to Emma’s mom hadn’t been essential for their peace of mind, he’d have suggested skipping it and st