A Second Chance in the Show Me State - Jessie Gussman Page 0,16

made his stomach sour. He was in the exact same position now as he was when she’d left.

Beyond that, though, he couldn’t stop the anticipation that bubbled up in his chest.

He was going to see her. Talk to her. Maybe touch her.

Man, he’d missed her.

On his left, Dallas bounced up and down and side to side. He hadn’t quit talking since they stopped walking, chattering about what his mom usually did, and how she was leaving her business, and how they couldn’t use a private jet because it wasn’t big enough to fly across the ocean. All stuff Reid had heard before, but he still listened with half an ear, because he loved to hear his boys talk, and in particular, he loved hearing them talk about Emerson.

Over the years, he felt like he’d known her because of the things the kids said about her.

Unlike Houston, he doubted Emerson would be last off the plane. Dallas was definitely the most like him, but Emerson wouldn’t lollygag around.

At least not the Emerson he knew.

He doubted, after almost a decade as a businesswoman in her father’s company, that she’d be less driven or less commanding.

He’d always liked that part of her personality. Being that he was so easygoing and laid-back, he enjoyed watching her move and shake things.

Or come up with the ideas so he could come along behind her and implement them.

On his right, Houston stood still.

This occurrence—them waiting for Emerson—was unusual and hadn’t happened in all the years they’d been separated. He’d only gone three weeks, instead of the regular six months, without seeing his mother before she was walking back into his life.

That familiar feeling, guilt, jerked at Reid’s neck. It probably hadn’t been the best idea all those years ago to keep their kids from one another and have them go six months without one parent.

But what else could they have done?

Worked it out?

The little voice came into his head. Normally he might shove it aside, but today, he kinda felt like it had a point. They should have worked it out. He could have tried a lot harder.

With that thought in his head, he stilled his fingers, taking his hat and shoving it back down on his head, watching as the people started to come around the corner from the plane that Emerson had been on.

Would he recognize her?

His palms started to itch and sweat. What would he say to her?

How would he act?

The last time he’d seen her, she’d had Houston on one hip and a suitcase dragging behind her on the other side as she huffed down the steps of the house he still lived in, got into her dad’s car, and drove away.

The next week, she’d been in Switzerland with her dad and the company he was expanding.

Their disagreement seemed so trite now. Except it really wasn’t.

He was in the same sort of problem that he was when she left. Only this time, it was worse.

He’d probably be able to hold onto the farm for the month that she was here and maybe a little while after that. But by the new year, he was either going to have to find a way to pay or move out.

That thought dispelled some of his anxiety. Interestingly.

It didn’t matter what she thought of him, because he was still going to be the disappointment now that he had been all those years ago.

And then his eyes widened. The question as to whether or not he would recognize her was answered even before Dallas jumped up and down and said, “Mom! Mom!”

On the other side of him, Houston straightened and waved.

He didn’t know where he got the idea that she wasn’t classically beautiful. He didn’t even know what classically beautiful meant. Maybe because she wasn’t super popular in school or something. It had never mattered to him. Not when they’d been best friends, not when they’d become more.

She’d always been beautiful to him.

Now was no different. She wore casual business attire, at least that’s what he’d term it, because it wasn’t something she’d wear around the farm. And it probably wasn’t something she’d wear to church either. Not those beige slacks, with the crease running down the front, and a cool-looking light blue blouse that flowed as she walked with casual confidence. She wore flats. Bracelets jingled at her wrist. Her suitcase dragged behind her, and a bag was slung over her shoulder.

She still wore the locket.

He wondered if the picture in it had changed.

It had been the