Stay(57)

I’m pretty sure I hear my bride growling, and I can’t help a grin. She’s so adorable. “See you tonight, beautiful.”



* * *



Bex rolls out the red carpet for us at her Upper East Side brownstone. I’m used to the place, but even Emmy’s eyes are dazzled as we walk into the well-appointed living room festooned with candles and twinkle lights.

I’m wearing the light gray suit I’ve had on all day, and Eli looks sharp in khaki pants and a blue blazer. Emmy is a vision in a filmy yellow dress that flutters around her curves. Her blonde hair is long and beautiful, and my mind has gone to sneaking her away for a quickie.

I have to kill that thought because my aunt enters the room. She’s wearing a cream pantsuit with a long scarlet scarf, and when she sees us, she throws out her arms.

“Emily!” She crosses the space with a flourish. “I’m so delighted to see you again! You probably don’t even remember the first time we met. It was at your parent’s Christmas party… I think you were only four years old, and such a darling girl.”

“Is this a real rooster?” Eli is on his knees in front of a bowl filled with pinecones, Spanish moss, and a taxidermized rooster right in the middle.

Aunt Rebecca is delighted. “This must be Elijah!” She gasps. “What a gorgeous child. Stephen! Why didn’t you tell me Emily had such a gorgeous child? I think he looks just like you did at that age, my dear.”

Eli’s brow scrunches, and I’m not sure if he’s more confused by the rooster or by my aunt’s effusiveness.

“Thank you so much, Miss Dixon.”

“Call me Bex, dear. That’s what Stephen calls me.” She takes Emmy’s arm and leads her toward the dining room. “Elijah! You must call me Bex as well. You hear?”

“Yes, ma’am!” The little boy has moved on from the rooster to a standing grizzly bear in the corner of the library. “Mom! She has a bear!”

“Oh, that old thing.” Bex groans, shaking her head. “Our father, God rest his soul, had no consideration for conservation. He killed that poor animal and then insisted on putting it in our house. I swear, our mother almost had a conniption fit over it. He won the argument, of course. He always did.”

This is family business I’ve never even heard. “Grandpa Babe killed that bear? I always thought you bought it from a museum or an estate sale.”

“Lord, if only.” Bex places her palm against her chest. “I pray for forgiveness every night.”

A bell rings, and I know that means it’s time to take our places at my aunt’s enormous mahogany dining table in the gold room with the ornate trim.

Emmy appears overwhelmed.

I walk over and take her arm. “Dinner.”

Once we’re all seated around one end of the long table, the servers carry out plates of food.

“Stephen told me your son is on a restrictive diet. I made sure Hans prepared something he would love.”

“Rosemary garlic chicken kabobs, cauliflower nachos, and coconut chips.” The paunchy chef stands back as two servers place the food in front of us.

“Wow.” Eli looks down at his plate.

“This is so kind, thank you so much for accommodating us, Miss Dixon. Er… Bex.”

“Nonsense! You’re family now.” My aunt lifts a glass of white wine and takes a long sip. “Stephen called me today and said you didn’t want a party, but I couldn’t believe it. What girl doesn’t want a wedding party?”

She puts a hand out in Emmy’s direction, giving her a knowing smile. “I know Stephen probably made you do that hush-hush wedding. He’s such a bore, but don’t worry. I was able to reserve the boathouse in two weeks, which means we’ll have to step up the timeline. It’s going to be amazing, darling. Why the Hastings are one of New York’s oldest families, and your father was absolutely adored…”

Emmy’s eyes move to mine in a desperate plea for help. I only shake my head in a way that says I’ve done all I can do.

“Who do you think made the first kebab?” I say, holding up my chicken. “I bet it was a pirate.”

“Yeah! Pirate food!” Eli’s eyes light up, and he does a little Arr. I have to hand it to my aunt. She knows what little boys like. She always spoiled me as a kid.

“You’re really too kind, Miss Dixon. The truth is… my son is having major surgery next week.” Emmy glances at Eli, who is having a ball eating his chicken kabobs. “So you know…”

Their eyes connect for a heartbeat.

“Oh, my darling.” Bex’s eyes grow round and tearful. She catches Emmy’s hand, giving it a squeeze. “I can’t even imagine how terrified you must feel.”

Emmy nods, looking down. “Then you understand why I don’t think a party would be the best thing—”

“Oh, but it is the best thing.” My aunt’s tone is serious, her gaze level. “It is exactly what you’ll need to take your mind off the stress. It will nourish your soul to take a break and spend time with family and friends who love you and are wishing you well.”

Emmy’s lips part, and I know that feeling. I’ve been in her shoes, trying to talk my aunt out of something she’s set her mind to. “I’m not sure we’ll be in a position to leave him alone so soon after surgery.”