Page 10 of The Vet's Unconditional Love
She narrowed her eyes at him and jerked her chin toward a surprisingly practical-looking brown leather case.He hauled it off the carousel and picked it up by the handle."Is that everything?"he asked, hoping that they could finally get out of here.
"That's my only case, yes, but there's no need to carry it—it's a roller.If you set it down, I can push it."She held one of the cups forward."And you can have your coffee."
He dropped his head as he set the case on the ground, feeling a little foolish.He might not travel much, but it wasn't as though he hadn't seen a roller case before.He snapped the handle up and took the coffee she offered, hoping that she wasn't giving him the sickly sweet cappuccino she'd ordered.She must have read his expression.
"Don't worry, that one's definitely yours.I didn't need a taste test to see that it was dark and bitter."She grabbed the handle of her case with a saccharine smile."Shall we get going, then?"
He let her take a couple of steps before he followed, not wanting her to see him smile.She was a tough cookie with a sharp tongue, but she was witty.When she checked back over her shoulder, he lengthened his stride to catch up.He had to face the fact that her sharp humor was only one of many things he liked about her.
When they reached his truck, he held out his cup, and she took it with a smile."Since you're giving me a choice about it this time, I'll take that for you while you load the case in the back.Don't worry, I won't offend you by saying I'll do it myself."
He gave her a grudging smile."Thanks."
Once the bag was loaded, he walked her to the passenger door.When he opened it for her, she raised her eyebrows."I am capable of climbing in, you know."
"I'm sure you are.Do you have a problem with me opening the door for you?"
"Oh."She looked a little flustered at that."I—well, sorry, no.That's actually rather sweet of you."
He risked taking her elbow to help her up, and when she was seated, the way she smiled down at him loosened something in his chest."Thank you.I'll admit that this is a damn sight higher up than my little truck."
"You're welcome.And if this is a moment of truth, I'll tell you that I'm impressed with your little truck.It's the kind of thing I've had my eye on for the girls when they're ready."
He shuddered."Not something I want to think about, but I know it's coming."He frowned, wondering why he'd told her that.She opened her mouth to reply, but he closed the door and jogged around to the driver's side to get in.
She turned to him as he fastened his seatbelt, and he braced himself.But rather than spouting advice about the girls or about Alana learning to drive, she said, "Let me guess—you expected me to buy a Subaru or some other touristy vehicle?"
"Yeah, I guess I did."He glanced over at her."And thanks for changing the subject."
She feigned innocence."I don't know what you mean.I was just curious about what kind of vehicle you would expect me to drive."He almost believed her until she added with a small smile, "But you're welcome anyway."
After that, they rode in silence and were soon back on the interstate.Emmett knew he should get into it soon, but he didn't.Now that she was here, he didn't know where to start.If he wanted, he could probably back down.He might have been determined to come and pick her up because they needed to clear the air.But she didn't know that.
He could claim that he had to be in town today anyway and had volunteered, since it was the least he could do.She ran the girls around for him all the time.It was only right that he should be the one to pick her up from the airport.
He glanced over at her and found her watching him curiously.In fact, no, that look wasn't just curious—it was expectant.Now that she was here, he was going to have to explain himself.
"So?"she asked after another few moments.
He blew out a sigh."I'm here because I need to talk to you."
"I think we already established that much."
He tightened his grip on the steering wheel.Yeah, they had.And now he had to figure out how to say what came next.
Chapter Three
Harper focused on keeping her hands still.Whenever she was nervous, her hands gave her away.They tucked her hair behind her ear, they fiddled with the strap of her purse, they fidgeted in a dozen small ways.And if Emmett was here to say what she thought he was, she did not want him to know that she was nervous.
She'd rather that he'd just called her and told her.He didn't need to come all the way to the airport.He didn't need to witness her disappointment—although if that was what he wanted, she couldn't blame him.
She'd hurt him with what she'd said.If he didn't want her around the girls anymore because of it, then that was his right.It'd break her heart, but of course, she'd respect his wishes.
She scowled at her coffee cup when it crumpled under the pressure, making her realize just how tightly she was gripping it.She took a big gulp of cappuccino—she thought of it as a rare treat that she only ever ordered when she was traveling.She couldn't enjoy it this time, though—the bitter taste in her mouth as she waited for Emmett to put her out of her misery overpowered it.
She looked over at him, taking in his profile as he overtook a semi on the way up the hill.If he kept up this silence for much longer, they might make it back to the cottage before he spoke.Then she could jump out and get away from him.
She couldn't even imagine what her life would be like here if she didn't get to hang out with the girls.She didn't see them every day, but now that she was in danger of not getting to hang out with them at all, she realized just how important a part of her life they'd become.
