for Dave to understand. “That’s what you’re doing to Alana. Once Darcy left I discovered there was something worse than not having a baby.”
“What?” Dave asked.
“Not having my husband and the love of my life at my side. He wasn’t with me in bed. He wasn’t with me at the breakfast table. He wasn’t with me on my birthday or on the anniversary of our daughter’s passing. You want lonely? That’s lonely.”
Dave pulled at a thread on the toe of Billy’s sleeper, silenced.
“We don’t always get everything we want in life.” Emma heard her voice tremble and cleared her throat. “But sometimes we find someone who’s so important that he or she trumps everything and everyone else. Don’t make the same mistake I did.” She rapped the table lightly to make sure she had his attention. “I’m not saying this for Alana’s sake. I’m saying it for yours.”
Dave glanced up. His gaze flickered, as if something inside had clicked for him.
The front door opened and laughter bubbled through the house, Alana’s and Tessa’s. Small footsteps thudded on the carpeted floor. A moment later Tessa burst into the room. “Daddy.” She threw her arms around his neck in a quick hug. “Auntie Emma and Billy. Hooray.” Then like a sprite, she ran out of the room again.
Alana came into the room carrying grocery bags. “Em, I didn’t know you were stopping by. You should have texted me. I would have gotten here sooner.”
Emma flicked a glance at Dave. Then turned to her sister with a smile. “I was passing and dropped in on the off chance you’d be around. Dave gave me a cup of tea and persuaded me to wait.”
“Stay for dinner. We’re not doing anything.” Alana’s quick, sad glance at Dave implied she would welcome the distraction. “I’ll put these groceries away then whip up some pasta.”
“No, thank you. I’ve got to get back to Darcy’s. It’s our last night. I’m moving home tomorrow.”
“Oh.” Alana put down the grocery bag, her gaze searching Emma’s face. “Are you okay?”
“I’m fine.” She rose, and as she took Billy from Dave she rested a hand briefly on his shoulder. “It was nice chatting to you.”
He glanced up, his mild gray eyes unfathomable. “Yeah, it was good. I’m glad you stopped by.”
Alana walked her to the front door and gave her a hug. “Call me if you want to talk. Tonight, tomorrow, whenever.”
“Wait!” Tessa skipped down the hall in the frilly pink dress Emma had given her along with the tiara and her fairy wings. “Auntie Emma! You’re not going already.”
“Sorry, sweetie. I have to.” Laughing, Emma added, “You look like the Sugar Plum fairy.”
“She adores that dress,” Alana said indulgently.
Emma crouched to pull her niece into a hug. Her throat filled as small arms wrapped around her neck. Holly was gone but she still had a precious little girl in her life. “You’ve grown since I was here for your birthday. Maybe it’s time your Auntie Emma took you on a shopping expedition.” She glanced over at Alana. “Could I?”
“Be my guest.” Alana smiled. “She would love to look at frills and froufrou with you.”
“Hooray!” Tessa shouted. “I want a pink tutu.”
Emma clapped her hands. “With a feather boa!”
“Oh, good Lord.” Alana gave an exaggerated groan. “Tessa, go wash your hands for dinner.”
“Dinner’s not ready yet.” Tessa twirled, lifting her skirts.
“Just give me and Auntie Emma a minute. Go!” Tessa ran off and Alana turned to Emma. “You know how I said you shouldn’t reunite with Darcy? I take it back.”
“He asked me to try again, to live together. For Billy’s sake.” Before Alana’s face could brighten, she added, “I told him no.”
“Why? If he makes you happy, grab hold and hang on with all you’ve got. Darcy’s proven he’s a good father. He loves you.”
“He hasn’t said so.” Maybe if he’d said the words she might have had the courage to confess her secret shame in the hope he would forgive her. But if he was only with her for sex and for Billy’s sake, it wasn’t enough.
“Sometimes guys don’t say it in words. Actions mean more than flowery phrases. And you, girl, need to be more receptive and less cautious. Relax and see what happens.”
“That’s probably good advice.” Under ordinary circumstances, but Alana didn’t know the whole story of Holly’s death, either. “Now I’m going to give you some advice. Hang on to Dave. He loves you. He said so to me this afternoon.”
Alana’s face brightened. “Did he really?”
“Yes.” Emma