The Proposition (The Proposition #1)(71)
Jane gave Emma a final hug before joining her husband. As Emma wiped the tears from her eyes, Aidan exhaled noisily.
Emma gave him a sheepish grin. “Sorry about that. I should have warned you we might see them.”
“No, it’s okay. It was just intense. At first, I thought she was just some holy roller pissed off that you were unmarried and pregnant. But then when I found out who she was…” He shuddered. “Please tell me Travis wasn’t an only child,” he said as they eased on their bench.
“No, he had two sisters.”
“But her only son.”
Emma nodded.
“Damn.” Aidan’s eyes widened when he realized he had just cursed in church. “Sorry,” he mumbled under his breath. He glanced over at Virginia to see if she had heard him, but luckily, she was chatting up one of her friends.
Then the service got underway. Aidan listened appreciatively as Emma belted out the hymns. His mind began to wander during the sermon, and he was never more thankful when church ended.
When he shot out of his seat, Emma laughed. “Guess you’ve had your fill, huh?”
“You could say that.”
Earl came up behind them and thumped Aidan on the shoulder. “Come on, son, I’d like to introduce you to a few people.”
Aidan reluctantly nodded. He wasn’t quite sure he wanted to hear the introductions Earl might make for him. After all, he was just Emma’s boyfriend…or the sperm donor…or the ass**le who knocked up the sweet angel of the community.
Surprisingly everyone was very friendly and welcoming. Of course, one guy continued staring daggers at him, and Aidan wasn’t too surprised to learn it was Steve—another blast from Emma’s past. Even though he had a beautiful wife beside him, Aidan could tell Steve was very protective of Emma.
He was nevermore thankful when Earl ushered him out the door and into the yard. After Earl finished introducing him to just about everyone outside as well, Aidan craned his neck through the crowd for Emma. A hand patted his arm. He glanced down to see Virginia. His expression must have spoken volumes because she pointed over his shoulder. Turning his head, he saw Emma standing at the far side of the church cemetery. He then nodded at Virginia, and she gave him an encouraging smile.
Drawing in a deep breath, he started weaving his way through the maze of different shaped and colored tombstones. Finally, he reached Emma. She stood stoic and silent in front of a pink granite monument that read “Harrison”. Underneath it were names “Noah and Katherine” along with their birth and death dates. A large silk flower arrangement sat at the base of the monument.
“Em,” he said softly, putting his arm around her waist.
Tilting her head, she gave him a sad smile. “I’m fine. Really. I always come out here when I visit.”
Aidan gazed at Emma’s father’s death date. “Your mom never remarried?”
“For a little while. It was about five years after my dad died. I was in middle school then. It only lasted a couple of years. Not that Paul was a bad guy or anything. I still talk to him from time to time. Mama just said there wasn’t anyone in the world for her but my dad.”
Aidan nodded. “Sounds like Pop.”
They stood in silence for a few moments, the wind rippling their hair and clothes. Aidan’s heartbeat accelerated when Emma reached out and took his hand in hers. “I don’t remember much about my father, but I know my mother would have loved you,” she whispered.
He squeezed her hand. “I’m glad to hear that. Considering how much Pop adores you, there should be no doubt how my mother would feel.”
Emma smiled at him. “It’s good our baby will have lots of guardian angels to watch over him or her.”
Thinking of his mother made Aidan’s throat close up. He could barely croak, “Yes, it is.”
“Come on. We better get back. Grammy’s got a feast waiting on us at the house.”
Aidan bobbed his head and let Emma lead him back across the cemetery.
CHAPTER THIRTY
After making their goodbyes, they all piled into the car to head back to Earl and Virginia’s. The moment they entered the house, the wonderful aroma of a roast wafted back to Emma. Grammy had risen early not only to prepare breakfast, but lunch as well. Even after the insanely large breakfast she had devoured, Emma’s stomach still rumbled. Inhaling sharply, Aidan moaned in appreciation. “God, that smells like Heaven.”
Grammy smiled at him. “Thank you, son.” She then wagged a finger at Emma. “You’re going to have to start cooking more for your man.”
While it was silly, Emma still felt her cheeks flushing at the mention of Aidan being her man. He raised his eyebrows. “You mean you know how to cook like that,” he said, jerking his thumb towards the kitchen.
She giggled. “Of course I do.” She nodded her head at Grammy. “I had the best culinary teacher anyone could have.”
“Hmm, I’m in for a treat then.”
“Yeah, don’t hold your breath on that one. Between work and the pregnancy exhaustion, I don’t have a lot of time or energy for cooking.”
Grammy tsked as she wrapped her red gingham apron around her waist. “You better start making time, sweet girl. After all, the way to a man’s heart is through his stomach.” She then winked at Aidan before heading into the kitchen.