The Life She Wants by Robyn Carr Read Free Book Online Page A

again.
    That was perhaps the deepest wound of all.
    * * *
    Emma’s earliest memory of Adam was him standing by the fence outside the school playground to make sure Riley got home all right. Even before she realized she liked Riley, she wished she had a big brother like Adam. When she left Burger or Bust that night, he was across the parking lot, leaning against the hood of his SUV, arms crossed over his chest. Waiting. He looked like an older version of that twelve-year-old boy. Except he looked a lot happier now, like maybe the chip on his shoulder was gone.
    Yeah, that’s what it had been—that serious, stubborn, perhaps fearful boy in his scuffed shoes and torn jacket, left to take care of the family after his father had died. Emma had worried about this faux date all afternoon until she saw him and then realized she was always thinking about herself, her troubles. She was always afraid of being found out, exposed, blamed. But Adam had been only a kid when he lost a parent, but a kid old enough to understand and remember his loss. And he’d been so brave, always looking out for his mother and sister. He was right there at St. Pascal’s until high school, but even when he was older and went to a different school, he was so often on hand to watch over Riley. And Emma, as well.
    â€œI can’t believe you’re really here,” she said. “You have a date with someone who smells like burgers and fries.”
    â€œI think we’ll get through it. How do you feel about a glass of wine or a drink?”
    â€œI’d love a glass of wine.”
    â€œGreat. Where do you hang your hat these days?”
    â€œA little spot in Sebastopol. Not too far from Lyle’s.”
    â€œPerfect. I know just the place, right on the way to your place. Follow me?”
    â€œI’m parked right over there. The Prius.”
    â€œLet’s do it,” he said.
    She followed him along some of the back roads toward her little town, but he turned down an alley and she got a little confused. Concerned. But then he parked behind what she thought, by the twinkle lights strung between the boughs of trees, must be the patio of a restaurant. The Cellar, the sign on the back gate said. He got out of his car, she got out of hers and he opened the gate to a patio. There were a half dozen tables; a couple of women sat at one, wine and fruit before them, but it was otherwise deserted. “They’re going to close soon, but we’re friends. I’ll get us some wine, something to snack on and they’ll say good-night before they leave.”
    â€œHuh?”
    Adam chuckled. “Would you like to see a wine list?”
    â€œNo,” she said. “I usually just have a sauvignon blanc.”
    A woman wearing an apron came out of the back door. “Just in time, as usual,” she said. “How are you, Adam?”
    Adam leaned toward her to kiss her cheek. “Excellent. Kate, meet my friend, Emma.”
    â€œNice to meet you. What can I get you?”
    â€œGet us a bottle of Napa Cellars sauvignon blanc, a half wheel of Brie with some crackers and fruit, two waters. And thanks.”
    â€œJust give me two minutes,” she said.
    He held out a chair for Emma. “What kind of place is this?” she asked.
    â€œJust a small wine bar. I’ve known the owners for a long time. For friends and relatives, they say good-night when they lock up, we take the bottle if there’s anything left, leave the glasses on the table and slide the dishes and leftover food right through that little serving slot so the birds don’t invade. They’ll close in about...” He looked at his watch. “I’m sure they’re cleaning up now and will be out of here in fifteen minutes.”
    Sure enough, Kate was back instantly with the wine, glasses, a tray of food. Right behind her a young man followed with a bucket of ice on a stand, placing it beside the table. Kate opened