“Your son? That’s rich. What makes you believe he wants to see you? He’s not the same little boy you left behind without another thought when you went to look for whatever you found in farm country.”
“I’d like to talk to him.” Emma studied the strong profile when Cain’s head turned back in the direction of the courtyard. To have gotten this far without Cain calling the dogs on her was a minor victory. The pit bulls Cain surrounded herself with were always on a short leash and ready to attack.
“Let me ask him and I’ll let you know. Hayden’s old enough to make his own decisions.” Cain heard the surprised breath Emma took and laughed. “Don’t get me wrong or act so surprised that I’m giving in so soon. I’m not stupid. I knew you’d come back one day and I figured that, if he was old enough, I’d let Hayden decide on what kind of relationship he wants with you. That is, if he wants to have any relationship with you.” Cain leaned forward to deliver the rest of the threat, not caring who was listening. “Just remember you don’t get to walk away for free this time, Emma. You hurt
Emma never got to respond, and she never glimpsed the blue eyes that still haunted her thoughts, because Cain just got up and walked out, trailed by the two constant deadly shadows.
“Yes, Cain, I know you can do lots of things,” whispered Emma to the forgotten glass of beer on the table.
She hadn’t really thought much about how their meeting would go, so she was a bit dumbfounded at her good fortune. Now if she could only control the itch in her hands from wanting to reach out and touch Cain. Her ex-lover even smelled of the same fresh citrusy cologne she remembered.
The short visit convinced Emma that no amount of time would ever erase Cain from her mind, or her body. She’d been branded by the tall, dangerous woman, and that was the way it would stay.
Chapter Four
Hayden was waiting for Cain in the den where they often watched television together. “Why now?” he asked, hoping to find the right answer in the blue eyes that always reminded him he belonged to her. They seemed guarded for once, and Cain had been a little on edge since she’d gotten home.
“I don’t have an answer for that, kiddo. She’s here, and she wants to see you. Emma’s your mother, but it’s up to you if you want to see her or not. I don’t want you in therapy in your thirties blaming me for keeping the two of you apart,” Cain joked as she sat down. She brushed his dark hair back from his forehead, then placed her palm on his cheek. The big room in the back corner of the house was full of comfortable chairs and had a great view of the yard. “This is your call, son, and I’ll abide by whatever you say.”
Though big for his age, he squeezed in next to her, needing to be close. Emma was someone he chose to think of seldom, and knowing that she was back in town was making him nauseous. It wasn’t something he wanted to admit, but the anxiety he had gone through when she had so abruptly walked out of his life had devastated him.
Till that moment he had fought through the despair of losing Emma by pushing himself mentally and physically. He had rationalized that if he could come close to perfection, Cain would never abandon him. He had come to trust Cain wasn’t going anywhere, and with that assurance the need to excel beyond everyone’s expectations had started to ease. Having Emma come back as suddenly as she’d left threatened to disrupt his world all over again.
“Hayden? Did you hear what I said?”
“I heard you, sorry. She gave birth to me, but you’re my mother and father all rolled into one. Mook explained it to me once when I asked, and I think he’s right. With you, I don’t really need anyone else.”
“Thanks, and no matter what, you know I won’t ever leave you, right?”
“I know that, Mom, and I love you for it.” Cain had taught him that when he felt uncertain, he should always fall back on something he would never question. Since he never questioned Cain’s love and faith for him, she was his best ally in case he needed to lean on her strength. “Will you come with me if I go?”
Cain kissed the top of his head and smiled. “I love you too, son, and if you want me to go, I’ll be there.”
“You always tell me to confront my fears and leave them behind. I’m not afraid of her, but let’s see what she wants and move on, okay?”
Hayden stood next to her when Cain phoned her uncle to set up a dinner meet that night on neutral ground. Hayden hadn’t wanted Emma in their house, not ready to see her in such a familiar environment. The memories he had of Emma centered on their house, but this was also the place she had left. He even picked a restaurant he and Cain hadn’t eaten at before so neither of them would have bad memories when Emma went home.
In a way he was curious why she had come back to see him. Maybe now he could ask why she had left, why she never cared enough to call him, and what he’d done wrong to make her stop loving him. Four years was a long time, though, and his curiosity only went so far.
*
Emma wasn’t prepared for the physical change in her son when he and Cain walked into the Creole restaurant together. If he’d ever had any of her traits, they were long gone. Like Cain he was tall and powerfully built, even though she suspected he hadn’t begun to fill out, with the Casey dark-tanned skin and black hair. And when he got close enough for her to see them, his eyes would complete the picture that was all Cain.
“Hello.” Hayden politely held out his hand, closing the door on any embrace Emma might have had in mind as a form of greeting. She was sure the aloofness was the beginning of her punishment for her sins.
“Hello, Hayden. It’s so good to see you, son.” When he let go of her hand Emma brought it up to cover her mouth in an attempt to stop the tears. This stranger before her represented everything she’d missed in his life. As his mother, she had failed him. “If you like, you can call me Mama.”
“I don’t mean to be rude, ma’am, but I don’t feel comfortable calling you that. Mom said I could call you Emma instead of Ms. Verde.”
“Of course that’s all right. Cain, are you joining us?” Emma turned her attention to the silent woman behind the stranger who was her son and tried to blink away the tears. Now that she knew how he felt, she resolved to start the journey of reconciliation.
“Hayden invited me, so unless he asks me to leave, I’m staying.” Cain pointed to the empty chairs and everyone took a seat.
