“Drink?”
“Now you’respeaking my language.”
He rose andwent to the bar. With his back to Emma, Lachlan grinned as heopened a bottle of scotch and poured a small amount in each glass.“Do you have kids?”
Emma shook herhead. “I thought I would by now but it hasn’t worked out likethat.” When Lachlan glanced over his shoulder, she continued, “Whenyou’re a kid you think life’s going to be easy: you grow up, youget married, you have your own kids, the end. But life didn’t quiteturn out the way I expected.”
“Is there a manshortage in your town?” He handed her the glass.
Her lips curvedin a sweet smile at his compliment. “Thank you, but no. I’ve hadrelationships but somehow always managed to drive them away.”
“I can’timagine.”
She burst outlaughing, a light-hearted sound that softened the ache in hisheart. “Another bi-product of abandonment. Fearing it so much Iended up becoming the worst version of myself. I don’t blame themfor leaving.”
“Being left isharder.” Lachlan stared at his drink. “Gee, look at us, a couple ofhappy-go-lucky holiday makers, huh?”
Again, her lipscurved and he liked the fact that he’d caused that. Like when Sarahhad been a tired or unhappy toddler, making her laugh made him feellike he’d won the lottery.
“I still can’tbelieve I’m here.” Emma’s eyes widened as she took in the room.
“Me either.I’ve been saving for this for as long as I can remember.”
She kicked offher shoes and dug her toes into the soft, thick carpet. Lachlanleaned back and tried to relax. He and Emma hadn’t got off to agreat start but at least they were being cordial now. The weddingwas over and Sarah was on her way to start her honeymoon with Gene.Lachlan’s job was done.
The anxietyflutters in Lachlan’s stomach were still there but easing a little.He could do this. He’d let Sarah go and wished her the best withall his heart. He would always be a phone call away, and absolutelyon the next plane if she asked him to come. He could move on now.Eventually. He could live the life he’d missed out on in histwenties, doing the things he wanted, going to places he’d alwayswanted to see but somehow never managed on a single father’swage.
He was going tobe okay.
The fluttersurged. It invaded his gut, stealing his breath and causing hishand to shake. So no, he wasn’t quite ready yet. He managed to takeanother sip and let it burn down his throat, distracting him fromthe nerves in his stomach.
Just one moredrink. Then he’d be ready.
Emma set herglass on the small table next to her chair, bumping it slightly.Her hand wasn’t quite steady. Her blood warmed her veins and hereyelids drooped. She’d moved from the armchair to the luxuryleather sofa and she tucked her legs up next to her, wobbling justa little bit.
It had beenages since she’d let her guard down and been so relaxed—soherself. The drink was probably helping but it was thecompany, too.
Lachlan waseasy to talk to and a great listener.
And not at allbad to look at.
She wasn’t adrinker, preferring to keep her wits about her, and setting anexample for her students. It was just easier that way.
She’d neverbeen the type to let loose and run wild. Determination and focuswere her strengths. She’d known from a young age that she wanted toinspire and encourage young minds and she’d set about achieving herdegree with single-minded purpose. Perhaps, somewhere deep inside,she longed to be the kind of mentor to others that her father hadnever been for her.
But here, now,with all kinds of thoughts and regrets tumbling through her mind,the smooth liquid warmed her veins and calmed the nerves in herstomach. She’d wanted this so much—reconnecting with Mishka andDad, having a family again. But Dad wasn’t Dad, and Mishka might aswell have been an alien. Emma’s heart ached but she’d have to learnto put that aside. Things didn’t always turn out like she’dplanned. Instead of a family, she had two amazing friends at homeand some vacation time left before her return flight. She’d hopedto spend that time with Mish and her father but now she was free todo a little sightseeing here instead. There were plenty of placesshe wanted to see: San Francisco, Yellowstone National Park, theGrand Canyon. Maybe she’d get to do that after all.
Her days ofwishing for her sister were over. She’d done her best. She couldn’tforce Mishka into her life.
Once and forall, Emma could lay the past to rest and leave it behind.
“So why is itso important to find your sister after all these years?” Lachlan’svoice interrupted her thoughts. He was sprawled on the oppositesofa, legs stretched out, hair mussed by the cushion behind him.The creases in his shirt added to his overall appeal.
Emma tilted herhead sideways, ignoring the impulse to go over and straighten hishair by running her fingers through it. “Because something hasalways been missing in my life. She was a wonderful sister, too.She always looked out for me, helped me. She never considered me apesky younger sibling who held her back.”
“How old wereyou when she left?”
“Seven. She waseleven.”
“That’syoung.”
“Mum and Dadused to argue over it. When Mish was discovered, Mum thought shewas too young for that kind of world. She was worried aboutpredators and drugs. Dad thought they should grab the opportunitywith both hands in case another one didn’t come along.”
Lachlan turnedthe glass in his hands. “Must have been a tough decision.”
“Breaking upthe family? They don’t come any tougher.”
“Why did youchoose Las Vegas for your family reunion?”
“I didn’tactually choose the city. I’ve been stalking my sister online foryears and I’d been saving up, too. I learned about the photo shoottwo months ago and decided it would be the best way to see her. Icouldn’t get in touch any other way. Her security is super-tighther agent didn’t return my calls. So, I got on a plane.”
“Not evenknowing if you could get to talk to her?”
“Nothing wasgoing to stop me. I saw the notice in the foyer that the pool wouldbe closed for
