Page 98 of The Vet's Unconditional Love
Tanya came and wrapped her arms around Harper."See you later."Then she planted a kiss on top of Emmett's head."You're healing fast.I knew you would.See you later, Papa Bear."
There was no missing the way his shoulders tensed.Harper felt the echo of it in the way her hands grasped each other, as if seeking something to cling to.
She called, "See you later," as the door closed after the girls, then separated her hands, bringing them down to her sides.
"You've known from the beginning that I'm not good at holding my tongue."Crap.There went her mouth again—letting the words out before her better judgment had a chance.
Emmett lifted his head slowly."Whatever you want to say, you should say it."
She went to sit across the table from him."Okay, I'll go straight to the elephant that's been pacing the room since Sunday night.What Tanya said—"
"I know.I'm sorry."
She caught her breath.She was hoping they might talk about it, but this sounded like he'd already decided and was apologizing in advance for the conclusion he'd reached.
She bit down on her bottom lip and waited for him to continue.
He leaned back in his chair."It caught us all off guard, and Alana…"
Her shoulders sagged."I know.Her poor little face broke my heart.Listen, Emmett.It seems to me that there's an obvious solution."
He raised his eyebrows, and the hope in his eyes hit her hard.She was about to offer him an out—but that didn't make it any easier to see just how much he wanted one.
"Nothing seems obvious to me right now.What do you mean?"
"I mean that maybe it's time I step back.Things are getting back to normal around here.We've seen this morning that everything I'm doing here…" She had to swallow."None of it needs to be done by me.You don't need me.And more than that, me being here, in her mom's place.I think maybe it's too much for Alana."
He stared at her for a long moment.She couldn't read his expression.
"It's… I want to tell you that you're wrong."
"But you can't."
He shook his head sadly."Don't think that I don't want you here.It's not that I don't."
"But the girls are what matters."She made herself smile."And you're through the worst now.You need to get back into your own bed.I can go back to the cottage.I can still help out, but…"
She couldn't decipher his pained expression."It's okay.I know you said you'd tell me when it was time for me to go, but you're such a sweetheart you didn't want to say it.I think Tanya did us a favor when she called me Mama Bear.It brought things out in the open."
"But, Harper.It's not like that.Yes, it's difficult.They lost their mom.It's easier for Tanya.She's younger.She doesn't really remember.But Alana…"
"I know.Alana's a wonderful young woman, and she doesn't need a new mom.I hope you know, and that she'll understand—I was never trying to be that."
"I do know that.It's just—the timing was… and…"
She gave him a sad smile."You don't need to struggle to find the words, Emmett.It's all good.I'm not flouncing off, all hurt.I'm just stepping back because it's the right thing to do.I'll still be around.I still want to help when you need me and maybe hang out with Tanya if she wants.But…"
She scowled when her phone rang.
They both stared at it.The tone, loud and jarring, filled the kitchen.
"You should get that."
She checked the screen."It's Marcus.He can wait."
As soon as her phone stopped, they heard a truck pull up outside.
"That'll be Blane, come to get you.Do you have many calls to make today?"
