The steward gave final instructions for landing, and grumbling, sleepy passengers complied, bringing their seats forward and refastening their seat belts. Emma scanned the familiar marsh surrounding New Orleans and prayed for the best. She planned to confront Cain with the truth and hoped her ex wouldn’t add her to the marsh’s treasures as a food source.
Her father, stern but supportive when he delivered his pep talk on the way to the airport, had been confident Cain would accept the news of Hannah with nothing short of happiness. No one who treated one child with such caring could reject an innocent who was part of her.
“For the rest, Em, you’ll have to be patient. She loves you. Her heart knows that, but it’ll just take some convincing to get her head to agree.”
“If only it were that simple, Daddy.”
“There’s nothing simple about this, and you’ll need to deal with your son as well as Cain. Hayden isn’t going to let you into his good graces when he finds out. You have to commit yourself to not giving up.”
“Having you think I can do it makes me feel better.”
“You’re a parent, Em, like me. No matter what, you love your children and have to fight for their happiness. Hayden is missing what you can bring into his life, and our Hannah’s being cheated out of what Cain can add to hers. The most important thing missing here, though, is the completeness only you and Cain can bring each other.”
“How’d you get to be such a fount of wisdom living out there on that farm?” Emma reached over and squeezed her father’s arm with a smile, to let him know she was teasing.
“I watch
After her luggage finally appeared on the conveyer belt, she arranged for a cab to take her to her first destination. If her luck held, this course of action would be as successful as the first time she tried it. Of the very few avenues available to get to Cain, her uncle Jarvis was the only one she was sure wouldn’t just toss her out at first glance.
The kindly older gentleman strongly resembled his older brother Dalton and had always gone out of his way to make her feel like a member of the Casey clan. One of his niece’s most trusted advisors, he was one of the only people in the city not afraid to rail against Cain’s famous temper. She usually accepted his gentle rebukes because she knew Jarvis thought only of her best interests and those of the family.
Jarvis stepped to the front room of his house and hugged the woman whom he had come to love, regardless of how Cain felt. “Clara, please put Emma’s bag in one of the guest rooms upstairs. What brings you back so soon, child?”
“I come asking forgiveness again, uncle Jarvis.”
“Of Hayden? Surely your visit didn’t go that poorly?”
“No, of Cain this time. I’m not forgetting Hayden, but I’ve done something that hurt Cain more than anyone.”
Jarvis sighed and waved to one of the chairs. If what she said was true, he could do only so much for her. “Emma, I never asked Cain what made you leave so suddenly, and I’m not asking you now, but you’ve got to realize what’s happened since you’ve been gone. Cain isn’t the same person you knew four years ago, and Hayden, he’s completely different. Cain is, and always has been, strong and proud. What you did, or your reaction to something she did, ripped holes in the very essence of who she is.”
“Don’t you think I sit up nights thinking about that? That I miss her more than I can stand before I’m a teary mess again?”
He put up a big hand to silence her. “I didn’t say all that because I think you insincere, Emma. You and I will come to an understanding today, or else I’ll drive you to the airport myself and wash my hands of you.”
“Just ask and I’ll do it.”
“It isn’t that simple, lass. My brother and I had the good fortune to find and marry women who loved us with a fierce devotion.” The more passionate he got, the more his brogue slipped into his conversation. “They loved us and were able to turn a blind eye when the situation warranted it, because they knew what loving us meant. What acceptance they had to bring to their commitment of marrying a Casey.”
“You think I’m not capable of that?”
“I’ve lived this long and enjoyed the fruits of my work too many years by not reading too much into any given situation. To survive, I accept only what’s there. And I’ve seen you running away from your spouse and your son. Add to that not one phone call to check if they’re doing well or if they need you. So no, I don’t think you’re capable of that kind of commitment.”
His honesty stung, but she couldn’t come into his house and argue with him over the truth as it had played out so far. “You have my word, uncle Jarvis. Get me one more chance, and I’ll never give you reason to doubt the depth of my commitment. Four years is a long time to learn a lesson, but I belong with Cain, and I’ll die by her side.”
“I took a chance on you already, Emma, and it cost me a little of Cain’s respect. If I do what you’re asking and you renege on your word, I’ll lose my place with my niece. If that happens, Cain will be the least of your worries.”
She knelt in front of his chair, put her hands over his, and gazed steadily into his eyes. “I give you my word as a Casey.”
*
“I’m sure it
“I have your word you’ll make time for me tomorrow?”
“You got it, and thank you for understanding. The way we left things the last time we talked has been bothering me, so I’ll look forward to tomorrow.” She hung up and hoped Shelby had been able to get the night off.
Jarvis tapped the receiver against his chin and closed his eyes.
