Page 78 of Riding the Curve

Anxiously, I watch the dots scroll back and forth.

EM: Absolutely, I’d love that. I can be ready in about 5 minutes, will that work?

ME: Perfect! I’ll see you in a bit.

I take off my apron and hang it on the hook before walking back over to Harper to say goodbye. Wrapping my arms around her, I give her a quick squeeze. “You doing okay, friend?”

Her smile slips slightly before she recovers. “Of course, why?”

“You just seem a little bit tired. Not getting a lot of sleep?”

She bites her lip, fidgeting with the strings of her apron. “Yeah, I’ve just had a lot on my mind lately.”

I part my lips to ask what, but she cuts me off before I can.

“But I’ll be okay. I think once I make this cake, I won’t be so anxious.”

“You sure that’s all?”

She nods, not looking me directly in the eye. That’s always been Harper’s sign that she’s not telling me the whole truth.

“I hope you know, if there is ever anything else, you can count on me to be there to help you through it.”

“You’ve already been helping more than you know,” she whispers.

I open my mouth to reply, but she clears her throat and her somber tone with a more lighthearted one. “Now, get out of here before I get out the broom and make you start sweeping!”

“You got it, boss.” I laugh, giving her one last hug before leaving the store and hopping into the truck.

CHAPTER 30

Emerson

Henley’s hair twirls in the wind as the truck bounces down the dirt road that leads up to the Cole’s ranch. She’s singing along to a song on the radio with a smile so bright I take a mental picture to remember her in this moment.

She’s radiant. So full of life. So . . . mine.

We hop out of the truck and make our way up the back porch and into the kitchen. Everywhere I look, there are little memories and hints of my childhood. Like the chips that are still on the top of the door molding, where Ryleigh and I had tried to attach a pull-up bar in junior high.

I remember how cool we thought we were, until Ryleigh tried to use it for the first time and he came crashing down on the kitchen floor. Right in front of the group of girls we were trying to impress.

Shaking my head, I chuckle at the memory, catching Hen’s attention.

“What’s so funny over there?” She pauses, setting down the bag of flour and sugar she pulled from the pantry.

Little feet thunder down the stairs as she follows my gaze to the doorway. “Ah, yes. I vividly remember that day. You both thought you were so cool. That was the same week you both also decided to start wearing enough Axe body spray to tranquilize a horse. It seeped into my room, and I had to sleep with my window open for an entire week!”

She shakes her head, making me chuckle. Lyla comes racing down the stairs, leaping straight into Hen’s arms. As Hen twirls her around, she squeals with glee.

To my surprise, my mind drifts to what it might look like with Henley and our daughter doing the same thing. Sure, I’ve always thought I’d have my own family one day, but I never imagined being a father as vividly as I am right now. My heart aches, full of a deep yearning I never thought possible.

Hen lowers Lyla’s feet back on the ground, and the smile that little girl gives Henley shines just as bright as the one that glowed on Hen just a little while ago. “We make cookies, now?”

“Yes, baby girl. Let’s make some cookies. But first, let’s say hi to our guest.”

Lyla’s little eyes grow wide at the sight of me. I’ve visited when I was on my breaks, and she’s seen me a few times when I’ve called Ryleigh on video chat. But since I haven’t been home for the past two years, I imagine I’m still like a stranger to her.

She steps behind Hen’s leg, peering shyly at me from behind their safety. Bending down slowly, I introduce myself again. “Hi, Lyla. I’m so excited to make cookies with you today. Chocolate chips are my favorite, how about you?”