Jaci Burton - Hope Flames

“Thanks. Boomer did most of the heavy work.”

She laughed. “Good for Boomer. But I have a feeling you did your part, too.”

At that point, he wasn’t sure if everyone in the diner was more interested in the story about chasing down and busting the suspect or watching the way he and Emma circled each other.

“So? Tell us how it all went down?” someone asked. “Did Boomer leap fences? Did you leap fences? I heard it all took place in backyards.”

After taking a sip of coffee, Luke told his story, giving Boomer all the credit. “Then I just showed up, called Boomer off, and the rest of Hope’s finest came in and cuffed him.”

A round of applause followed. “He was a shifty fellow and hard to catch,” Bert said, giving Luke a paper bag. “That’s for Boomer.”

“Thanks. He’ll appreciate it.”

Everyone went back to their own tables, except Emma, who took a seat at his. “I know you must be really happy to have caught the guy.”

She looked so cute in her scrubs, her hair pulled into a high ponytail. He wanted to grab her and kiss her, which only frustrated him more because of where they currently were in their non-relationship.

“Yeah. It’s a big relief for the entire department.”

“I’m glad you’re okay, and that Boomer’s okay. Did the guy have a weapon on him?”

“He had a gun in his backpack, but he never pulled it during the pursuit. I think he was too busy running.”

“Thank God. You’re like the town hero today.”

Luke laughed and took another swallow of coffee. “I think Boomer’s the town hero this morning. And he’s eating up all the attention.”

“Deservedly so.” She looked down at her phone. “I should get back to work. Congratulations again, Luke.”

“Thanks, Em.” She didn’t seem to be in a hurry to leave, so he asked, “Are you doing all right?”

“Yes, I’m . . . fine. Thanks for asking. I guess I’ll see you around.”

“I’m sure you will.”

She stood.

“Em?”

She looked down at him. “Yes?”

“If you need anything. Call me.”

There was a sadness in her eyes. “I’ll do that.”

He really hated watching her walk away.

But he didn’t know what to do about it.

“OH, EMMA, WHY didn’t you tell us this had happened?”

“That’s it. I’m moving into your house tonight,” her father said.

She’d resisted having this conversation for days. She knew telling her parents about Vaughn would worry her mother and kick her father’s protective instincts into overdrive.

“Dad. You’re not moving into my house. And I didn’t tell you right when it happened precisely for this reason. Because, Mom, your ulcer would start acting up and you’d stop sleeping, and, Dad, you’d want to camp outside my door.”

Her dad ran his fingers through his hair. “Well, dammit. What do you expect me to do? He threatened you before. Hell, he did worse than that. I told you what I’d do to that sonofabitch if he ever came near you again.”

She sighed and placed her hand on her father’s arm. “I know, Dad. And I appreciate it. But he’s been arrested for violating the restraining order. He’s going to have to go to court and answer for that.”

“And you think that’s going to stop him?” Her mother’s tone had gone high-pitched, and Emma knew hysteria wasn’t too far behind that.

“It’s going to deter him because if he comes anywhere near me again, they’re going to revoke his bail and he stays in jail.”

Her dad pursed his lips and glared at her, though she knew it wasn’t her he was mad at. “I don’t like this, Emma. Why don’t you come stay with us until this is over.”

“No. I’m not going to run from him again. I’m not going to let him drive me out of my house. I’m staying put. I’m going to get up every morning and go to work just like I always do, and I’m going to go home and sleep in my bed every night just like I always do.”

“What about Luke?” her mother asked.

Just the mention of his name caused her stomach to clench. “What about him?”

“Is he still staying at your place?”

Good Lord. Did everyone know about her personal life, including her parents? You simply could not have a private life in a small town. “No. I sent him home.”

“Why?” her dad asked, then frowned. “What did he do?”

“He didn’t do anything. I just . . . needed my space.”

“What does that mean? Did he hurt you as well, Emma?”

She rolled her eyes. “No, Mom. Luke didn’t hurt me. He’s damn near perfect, if you want to know the truth. I just need to be by myself right now.”

And be lonely. And miserable. And wish every night that Luke were still there with me.

Sometimes taking an independent stand sucked.

Her dad pushed back from the dinner table. “One guy’s a certifiable nutcase, and the other’s perfect so she throws him out. Sometimes my daughter makes no gosh darn sense.”

She wanted to go after her father, to explain about Luke, but her mother stopped her.

“He’s upset,” her mom said, her hand on Emma’s arm. “And worried about you. So am I.”

“I’m going to be fine. And Luke’s not with me right now because I have to be able to take care of myself.”

“He’s a cop, Emma. He could be there to help watch over you.”

“I had someone watching over me once, Mom. Vaughn watched over me a little too well.”

Her mother leaned back in the chair. “And because of what happened before, you’re afraid of putting your heart in Luke’s care.”

Emma didn’t say anything.

“You’re in love with Luke.”

“Yes. I think so. It’s not a very good time for me to be in love.”

Her mother laughed. “Honey, there’s no such thing as a perfect time to fall in love. Love is often messy and complicated. And now you have this horrible man reentering your life at a time when you just got your life back on track. I understand you want to be independent right now, but don’t fight so hard for that independence that you sacrifice your safety—or a chance at happiness with someone you love.”

Was that what she was doing?

“You have a stubborn streak like your father. And often you can’t see the forest for the trees.”

“What does that even mean?”

“It means you’re blinded by your own goals and needs and what you think is right. You know I love you, Emma. You’re brilliant and well educated, and after that mess you went through, I’ve never known a stronger, more dedicated young woman. But you’re not always right. In this case, I think what you’re doing is wrong.”

Leave it to her mother to be bluntly honest.

“Luke is a fine young man, and he’d be a welcome addition to our family. Sometimes it’s okay to give in, just a little, and let someone take care of you. It doesn’t mean you aren’t capable of taking care of yourself.”

Emma didn’t know what to think anymore.

“Emma, you know me. I’ve always been goal-oriented and have gone after whatever I wanted. I have two degrees—one in marketing and one in business, and I’ve been a successful businesswoman my entire life.”

“I know, Mom. I’ve always admired you.”

“And I certainly have never ‘needed’ your father. But I couldn’t manage a day without him, because I love him. So in that way, yes, I desperately need him in my life. If you look at the love you feel for Luke in that way, maybe you can learn to give a little.”

“Okay, when you put it that way, it starts to make sense.”

Her mother’s lips curved in a smile. “You mean you might actually agree with me?”

Emma laughed. She leaned over and threw her arms around her mother. “Yes, it means I agree with you. Thanks, Mom.”

“Anytime.”

After having dinner with her parents, and, more important, talking with them, Emma had a lot to think about.

She’d been awful to Luke, pushing him away when he’d been there for her.

Fear had made her do stupid things. She and Luke had settled in to what had become a perfect relationship. Until Vaughn had shown up and ruined everything.

No. That wasn’t right. She couldn’t even blame Vaughn for what had happened. She was the one who had ruined everything. She and her own stupid fears. Now she had to figure out how to fix it.

She opened her front door, and the dogs ran inside. Daisy started fiercely barking, followed by Annie. The hairs on the back of Emma’s neck stood on end. It wasn’t like the dogs to bark like that inside the house, which could mean only one thing.

Someone was in her house.

So here was her independence. Should she take out her gun and go check it out herself?

Hell, no. She was independent. Not stupid. She needed to get out of the house now.

“Oh, all right, enough with the crazy barking,” she said, trying to make it sound like that was normal for her dogs. “Come on, girls. Let’s go for a walk before bed.”

Fortunately, they both came running and she shut the front door. She tried to act natural and headed down the block. As soon as she was out of sight of the house, she pulled her phone out of her pocket and called Luke, hoping he wasn’t so angry with her that he wouldn’t pick up.

“Emma, what’s up?”

“I think someone’s inside my house.”

“Where are you?”

“I stepped outside with the dogs. We’re at the corner.”

“I’ll be right there. And I’ll have a cruiser head that way.”

“Thanks.”

“I’ll call you right back.”

He hung up and she waited, staring at the street, then at her phone. When it rang, she hit the button.

“I’m still here on the corner.”