“Because Wye needs time to sort out her feelings, sir.”
“That’s what you’re for,” the General told him. “You’re her sounding board. You’re her support. You’re there to provide answers or to just keep quiet if that’s what she needs.”
“Is that what you’ve done when people needed you, sir?”
It was a low blow, and the General surged to his feet, winced and braced himself on his desk. “Yes, I did—with my wife,” he growled. “I failed with my daughters. I’m making up for that now. You want to copy my successes or my fuck-ups, Sergeant?”
“Sorry, sir.”
“Stop being sorry. Start doing something.”
“You’re right, sir.”
“I’m always right. Now, get.”
The General waved him out the door, and Emerson made for the kitchen to grab his coat, grateful to finally be taking action, but he came to a stop when the back door swung open and Cass burst inside, lugging a portable crib.
“Emerson.”
“Is Wyoming with—”
Wyoming stepped in next, Elise in her arms. It was clear she’d been crying. Her features were drawn, her faced blotched red and white.
Emerson crossed the room and pulled them both into an embrace. “Glad to see you safe.”
“I’m sorry I stormed out of Ward’s place like that. You didn’t deserve me yelling at you.” Wye leaned against him, and Emerson’s heart swelled. He’d do anything to make life easier for this woman. Starting with not pressuring her to sort everything out tonight.
“How about I get Elise to bed?” Cass asked. “Brian? Can you carry the crib upstairs?” she asked when her husband entered the room to see what the fuss was about. “That way you two can talk,” she told Emerson and Wye.
“Thanks,” Wyoming said. When Cass and Brian had gone, taking Elise with them, she hugged her arms to her chest. “I’m really sorry. I just—”
Emerson touched her shoulder. “We can talk if you want to,” he said. “I’m happy to talk all night. Or I can take you upstairs, put you to bed, and we can start fresh in the morning. For the record, I still want to marry you.”
“Even if I’m a single mother?” She laughed sadly. “I can’t let Elise go into the foster system, Emerson, not when I’m capable of taking care of her.”
“I wouldn’t expect you to. Wye, look at me.” When she lifted her chin to do so, he went on. “You and I both know how important it is for a child to have a loving, stable home. I’m going to be there for you—and Elise—always. I mean that.”
Wye’s eyes filled again. “I want so badly to believe you. I really do.”
He took her in his arms again and let her cry. He knew what she meant. Trusting someone—really trusting them—came hard after what each of them had been through.
“You know what I think? I think you, Elise and I need to take a day off. Let’s spend the day together tomorrow doing something normal.” He brightened. “I read in the paper about a snow sculpture exhibit in town. How about we go to that?”
“We can’t just leave—we’re getting married the day after tomorrow.”
His arms tightened around her. God, he hoped so.
“Everything is in hand, and I think this is one of those moments when we actually have to trust that our friends are our friends and are willing to help.”
Wye laughed, hiccupping a little. “I can almost see Cass quivering with anticipation. She loves to help.”
“We’ve got ten men and women—plus a General—just dying to step in,” he agreed. “Let’s let them finish the preparations and the three of us go to town.”
Wye’s mouth curved into a smile. “I don’t know.”
“I do. Come on, Wye, we need a day off. If, at the end of it, you decide you want to postpone the wedding—or call it off completely,” he added, pain shooting through him at the thought, “we’ll make that happen.”
Wye snuggled into his embrace. “You are a good man, Emerson Myers.”
“I’m doing my best.”
“Have a good time,” Cass said the following morning. “Don’t worry about a thing, okay? We’ve thrown so many weddings, we know exactly what we’re doing.”
“I’m not sure I do,” Wyoming told her. “How can I expect Emerson to take on a baby after the way Ward drove off and left her with me? He shouldn’t have to pay the price for my brother’s selfishness. Honestly, I thought I’d wake up today to find Ward back, demanding to take Elise home. I can’t believe he really left, Cass.”
“I know. I wonder where he’s gone.”
“Does he think he’s going to start over?” Wye asked. “Surely he has to know that’s impossible. Kids don’t just disappear because you want them to. I mean, Mom did that to us—didn’t it hurt him the way it did me?”
“I’m sure it did. Maybe he thinks if your mom could forget about him, then his child can forget about him, too,” Cass said sadly. “But at some level he must know he’s wrong.”
“I still feel like we should report this to someone.”
“I think Emerson is right,” Cass said. “Ward is a grown man who’s just gone through something devastating. Give him a few days, then report him and go through the proper channels so you keep custody of Elise.”
Wye still found it hard to take in. She shifted Elise in her arms, her heart aching when the little girl snuggled against her. She’d been up for hours last night, contemplating the future. One thought had left her breathless.
“If Ward doesn’t come back soon, I’m going to stop feeling like Elise’s aunt and start feeling like her mother,” Wyoming confessed, knowing Cass would understand. “I’m already halfway there with all the time I’ve been spending with her. And then he’s going to find his footing again and come and take her—”
Cass nodded. “I think you’re wise to understand that up front. Your brother is sad and scared and lonely and doing stupid, stupid things, but you’re right. Likely that will pass. He probably will
