not the smartest move I’ve ever made. We weren’t a good fit, Miss Sissie. We’re always arguing. We don’t agree on almost anything. Trust me, we’re like oil and water.”
“Pshaw. You don’t have eyes in your head if you can’t see the way that woman looks at you.”
I’d been idiotic enough to fall in love with you, you asshole son of a bitch!
My fingers tightened on the steering wheel. What Emma had shouted at me had been a jarring revelation, and it had made me consider with more honesty on how I’d felt about her. Not that I hadn’t had plenty of time and opportunity to think about that before—hours on the plane to and from Slovenia, long, sleepless nights during the year I’d been there . . . but that had felt hypothetical. Now that we were in the same zip code—in the same hospital, most days—I was forced to face the truth.
I had been falling in love with Emma, too.
I eased to a stop in front of Miss Sissie’s house. We were both quiet as I walked her to the front door and saw her into her tidy little sitting room. I offered to take her pulse, check her blood pressure or listen to her heart, but she made a face and shook her head.
“There’s nothing wrong with me, Deacon Girard. I’m just fine. Go on with you, now.” She patted my back. “But you listen to me: don’t go messing around with that heart doctor, do you hear? She’s not for you.”
“Yes, ma’am. I hear you.” I hesitated at the front door. “Miss Sissie, is there really a neighbor with Brugada Syndrome?”
“Of course, there is. I don’t tell lies, Deacon.”
“Okay.” I nodded. “And are you going to give Deanna’s card to that neighbor?”
“I told her I would, didn’t I? Now stop buzzing around my business and mind your own.” She walked toward the door and gave me a small shove. “However, I don’t plan to encourage him to call her, if that’s the real root of your question. She had that hungry, Yankee look in her eyes. It was not at all attractive.”
“Oh, Miss Sissie.” I stepped out onto her porch, waiting as she latched the screen door behind me. “You know, I love you, but you’re inconsistent.”
“Am I? How so?” She tilted her head, her eyes twinkling.
“You’re pushing Emma on me, but you know, she’s a Yankee, too.”
“You’re not wrong, and don’t think that hasn’t occurred to me. However, some of Emma’s people come from Virginia. She used to spend her summers there. That means she’s not really a northerner—she just has to remember that, and being down here is helping to bring out her inner Southerner.” Miss Sissie chuckled. “Also, she’s got a nice manner about her, doesn’t she? She’s all softness and smiles and restfulness. But don’t let that fool you—she’s also strong. Emma’s a tough woman. She’s just smart enough to know when to let that show. She’s not abrasive whatsoever.”
I thought about that as I waved goodnight to Miss Sissie and drove home in the dark. She wasn’t wrong; Emma wasn’t abrasive. She was passionate and truthful and stubborn, but then, the same could be said of me.
Miss Sissie was also right about Emma’s softness. She didn’t let anyone walk over her, but when she was with patients or with other people she trusted, she allowed that gentle peace to shine. For a short time, I’d been among the lucky few who’d experienced that.
Until I’d been stupid enough to throw it—and her—away with both hands.
10
Emma
“Pass me the nutritional yeast, please?” I held out my hand to Noah, who frowned as he lifted a box and then put it back on the counter.
“Remind me which one that is?”
I grinned. “It’s the cheesy stuff. In the pouch.”
“Oh, yeah. Right.” He picked up the right one this time and handed it to me. “Here you go.”
“Thanks.” I added a pinch of the yeast to my blender and pushed the button to start it. Noah stood back, his huge arms folded over his equally massive chest. The expression on his face was best classified as skeptical.
I gave the blender a couple of extra whirls before I lifted the jar from the base. Taking off the lid, I stuck my finger in to swipe at the side, taking a taste. “Mmmmm. It’s good.” I dipped again, this time lifting my finger to Noah’s mouth. “Here. Taste.”
He wrinkled his nose, which was adorable beyond words. “You put your