Internal Fixation - Tawdra Kandle Page 0,71

when we’re ready to eat.”

Miss Sissie and my grandmother disappeared through the door, leaving Emma and me alone with the bleating goats.

“I hear you’re the one responsible for the new residents at the farm.” I raised my eyebrows. “Just so you know, I petitioned for years for horses or lambs. I was told we were not that kind of farm, and they were too much work. I’m not sure how you managed to sweet-talk Pop into these rascals.”

She laughed softly. “It was an ongoing conversation over the course of several months, and I didn’t use sweet talk. I used facts, ideas and common sense. In the end, Jimmy made up his own mind, thank you very much.” She stroked the velvety nose of the nearest kid. “But you have to admit that they’re darling.”

“They’re not bad,” I admitted grudgingly. I watched her as she petted each one in turn, crooning to them and giggling when they climbed all over her. She looked so relaxed and completely natural, at home in this place that had always been so much my own. I remembered the first time I’d brought her to the farm to meet Gram and Pop, how nervous we’d both been, though I’d tried to hide it. But from the start, she’d fit in as though she truly was one of the family, as Gram had just said.

“Does it bother you, me being over here so much and having a relationship with your grandparents? I know you were surprised when I was here the day you came back, and I might have been a little snippy about it that day.”

“You? Snippy?” I feigned shock. “I can’t even imagine that.”

“Oh, go to hell,” she shot back, but there was no heat there, just amusement. “You know what I mean.”

“Yeah, I do. But no, it doesn’t bother me.” I reached out one arm to corral one of the kids back over between us. “Maybe because Gram has told me in no uncertain terms that she and Pop are capable of choosing their own friends, and if they’ve chosen you, that’s their own business.” I paused. “Or maybe it’s because I still hold out hope that someday, maybe you and I being here together will make perfect sense.”

She frowned but didn’t answer.

“You know, I can’t stop thinking about that kiss. You remember the one, right? It happened the night we drank champagne together about a couple of weeks back . . . and I had my arms around you, and you were moaning . . .”

“Deacon.”

“Yeah, that was one of the things you were moaning.”

“Deacon, stop this.” Emma lifted her chin to glare at me, and I noticed the unhappiness clouding her eyes. “Please. I told you that night—which was a month ago, not just a few weeks, by the way, not that anyone’s counting—I told you then that we can’t do this anymore. And I don’t want to talk about it.”

“Why not? That was a damn good kiss.” I smiled at her and quirked one brow upwards. I can refresh your memory if you like.”

“It was a mistake.” Emma’s voice was flat. “And it wasn’t one we’re going to repeat. Are we clear?”

“I hear what you’re saying, but I don’t agree with you.” Under the guise of stroking the small goat on her lap, I snagged her hand. “Give me a reason—a valid reason—why we shouldn’t give us another shot, Em. And don’t tell me it’s because we work together, because we managed that just fine before.”

“Oh, did we?” Now there was some fire in her tone. “Funny, I don’t remember it that way. I remember arguments and hurt and then a cloud of dust when you left.”

“You’re only focusing on the last few days, but before then . . . things were good between us. More than good. We were a team in every way imaginable.” I lowered my voice. “We could be that way again. And this time, it would be—”

“There’s not going to be a this time, Deacon. Not just because we need to maintain a professional working relationship, although that’s a damn good reason. Not because I’m still mad at you from before, because I’m not. I moved on from that.”

“Okay. Then tell me why.” I’d been subtly moving closer to her as we talked. I knew that if I could just put my arms around her . . . if I could kiss her again . . . she’d have to listen to me. She’d have to