Gail Martin - Bride in Training

Yet somewhere deep inside her, Emily wanted to apologize. How could he ever understand her behavior unless he knew her, and he didn’t. That’s how she wanted it. But then, when he pulled out his wallet… It had been too much.

A sound caused her to turn as Molly appeared in the doorway, looking slim again after the birth of her new baby Zachariah. Such a big name for a little boy. Emily glanced at her watch. “Is it that time already?”

“Brent came home early so I left him on diaper and bottle duty.”

“Good for you. Make him work.” Emily managed a smile. She shifted a dog food bag against the wall and uncoiled her back, then pulled up her shoulders and sucked in her belly to force her spine to straighten.

Molly eyed her a second, then put her fists on her hips. “Are you okay?”

“I’m fine. Just tired. I haven’t slept well for the past couple nights.”

Molly’s brows arched. “The past couple nights? Is that my fault, Emily? Don’t tell me you had a bad time with Martin. I shouldn’t have insisted you—”

Martin’s name shot through Emily like a dart. “No. He was fine.”

“Really?”

She nodded and looked away before Molly asked anything more. “I picked up a few things on the way to his house—a rawhide and a couple of other toys…and a clicker.” She’d forgotten it was in the bag until yesterday.

“I hope he paid you.”

Her pulse skipped again. “No. It—it was a gift.”

“A gift? Be careful. He could easily take advantage of your kindness. Martin can do that to people.” She slipped her arm around Emily’s shoulders and gave her a hug. “The Lord will put extra stars in your crown though. That was nice of you.”

Stars in her crown. Emily doubted if she’d have a crown. Getting into Heaven would be blessing enough. “He seemed different Wednesday.” In stockinged feet.

Molly squeezed her shoulder. “Steph gets along with him now.”

Martin’s image settled in her mind. He’s been friendly enough. “But people can also slip back into old habits.”

Molly nodded, but her expression had darkened, and it made Emily suspect she was thinking about Emily’s past. Shortly after she’d started working at the shelter, Molly had spotted the scars on her wrists. Even her watch and bracelet didn’t cover them completely. Molly had never asked for details, and she hoped it would stay that way. Emily pushed her thoughts aside and changed the subject. “We had a good day. Two new adoptions. Buster and Rosey are gone.”

“Wonderful.” She took a step toward the door before turning back. “How did the lesson go?”

“Lesson?” Her stomach twisted, fearing Molly would be upset if she knew Emily had walked out. “I gave him the toys and left.” She focused on Molly. “What’s wrong?”

“You.”

“Me?” She kept her hand steady as she pressed her index finger against her chest.

A grin slipped to Molly’s face. “You’re blushing.”

Emily pulled her hand from her chest and cupped her cheek in her palm. “I don’t know what you’re talking about. My face isn’t hot.”

Molly’s grin broadened. “You blushed when you mentioned Martin.” She faced her, her arms akimbo. “What’s going on?”

“What could go on? I’ve known him a week, and that includes today.” Her lips pressed together, but she forced them apart. “I don’t know where you came up with that dumb idea.” Yes, she found him attractive. Yes, he stirred some emotion, but…

“I fell in love with Brent a couple days after I met him.” Molly uncoiled her arms. “Maybe not in love, but I fell in deep like.”

“Deep like.” Emily chuckled a little too heartily. “That’s a new one.” Silence.

Molly gave her a playful smirk. “I don’t think so. We’ll just wait and see.”

“You’ll have to wait a long time.”

Molly grinned and strode toward the office while Emily watched her go, feeling helpless. Yes, she’d thought about Martin and about Nessie. More about Nes… Maybe they’d both been on her mind, but she certainly hadn’t fallen in love or even like. Actually, she’d been confused. Where did Molly come up with something so ridiculous? She turned away, opened the dog food bag and continued filling the dogs’ dishes. Her day ended when Molly arrived, but she never left a job half finished.

The dogs wagged and wiggled to get to the food. They looked happy and healthier than some had looked when they’d arrived. Homeless dogs, abandoned dogs broke her heart. She and they were kindred spirits.

Emily grabbed her handbag and said goodbye to Molly as she hurried through the office and stepped outside. She didn’t want to talk with Molly about falling into anything.

Outside, she stopped and drew in a deep breath. The spring air filled her lungs and refreshed her in the same way the Holy Spirit had filled her with hope. In the sunlight, she leaned against her car and thought. Martin had hung on her mind many times during the day. Did he give Nessie the rawhide? Would he remember to purchase a doggie bed?

She opened her car door, but instead of climbing in, she leaned against the sedan, thinking about the call she’d made to him. She pulled out her cell phone and checked for messages. Nothing. Maybe she should call again and—

No. She’d called once. If he wanted to talk with her, he’d call back. If he found the clicker in the bag, he may have figured out how to use it. He didn’t need her.

Martin opened the door from the garage and heard Nessie’s nails clicking across the kitchen. Before he closed the door, the dog had reached the laundry room, her tail wagging. He bent down and petted her. Her dark eyes with long wispy brows gazed at him as if he were a hero. His chest tightened. Some men had children look at them like that. At least he had the dog.

When he closed the door, Nessie skittered off the way she’d come, and when Martin stepped into the kitchen, he found her posed by her dish. “Hungry?”

Her tail wagged as he headed for the bag of dog food. He added nuggets to her dish. And refreshed her water, then strolled into the family room and wandered to the patio door. In moments, Nessie padded to his side. He slid open the glass and let her out. She’d been pretty good since she had had the toys to gnaw. The clicker didn’t make sense to him so it lay on the kitchen counter. He guessed that’s why Emily had called.

An empty feeling settled in his chest. She would never come back. He sensed it. Success wasn’t his friend when it came to relationships with people. His mother had always seen his good side, but others? He didn’t want to go there.

He stepped onto the patio, pulled his cell from his pocket and settled into a chair at the umbrella table, the phone clutched in his hand. A cooler breeze drifted past, smelling like rain. Martin looked into the gloomy sky, noting the heavy clouds that had covered the sun. He hated dismal days. They made him feel worse.

The cell phone warmed his palm, and his chest tightened as he hit dial. It rang twice. He held his breath. As he mustered control, her hesitant voice met his ears.

“I couldn’t answer earlier, Emily. Sorry.”

“I—I didn’t want to bother you, but—”

“You’re no bother.” He drew in a quick breath. “I’m glad you called.” He fought his instinct to ask her why she’d run off. “You left something in the bag when you were here that I think belongs to you.”

“The clicker. I bought that for you. It’s a method to train Nessie. I—”

Silence ran through the line, and he opened his mouth but held back, knowing she had something else on her mind.

“I’m sorry about running off. I’d meant to show you how to use it.”

“Emily, listen. Let’s back up. You don’t need to apologize. I know something happened, and I feel badly. Would you drop by so we can talk? Or if you prefer, I’ll meet you somewhere.” More silence.