“How do I love her and hold her at a distance at the same time?”
“You don’t.” Cass met her gaze, her eyes shining with unshed tears. “I’m sorry, honey, but it doesn’t work that way. You love her with all your heart for as long as you can, even knowing your heart will probably be broken. And if Ward pulls himself together and comes home, you do everything you can to repair the bond he broke between him and Elise.”
“That isn’t fair,” Wyoming cried.
“I know it isn’t. But that’s life, isn’t it? Loving when loving hurts like hell?”
“Everything okay in here?” Emerson asked, coming in. “I’ve got Elise’s car seat in my truck. We’re all set to go.”
“Have fun,” Cass said, handing Wyoming a paper towel to dry her eyes. “We’ve got everything covered here.”
“Good morning, little girl,” Emerson said, lifting Elise from Wye’s hands, giving her time to pull herself together. “Let’s go see some snow castles. We need to cheer up Aunt Wyoming.”
“I’ll be okay,” Wye told him as they left. “Cass was just delivering some home truths. Some necessary ones.” She filled him in on their conversation.
“I’ve been thinking about the same thing. It would be easy to think I should step into Ward’s shoes, since he’s gone and I’m here, but that’s not really my place—even if you do agree to marry me tomorrow.”
They got into the truck. Wyoming helped secure Elise into her car seat, then climbed into her own.
“Cass says we shouldn’t guard our hearts, though.”
“I guess she’s right.”
“It’s not going to be easy. Or maybe I should say it’s going to be too easy to fall in love with the idea of being Elise’s mother. And it’s going to hurt like hell when Ward comes back. If he comes back.”
“Maybe we should take it one day at a time,” Emerson said. “And for today, just be two people who love each other taking a baby to see some snow sculptures.”
Wise words, Wye decided. “Okay. That sounds good.”
The snow sculpture exhibit was a kind of contest between groups that were competing for a prize in order to raise money for the elementary school’s PTA. Different businesses and clubs and sports teams had joined in to create fantastic snow sculptures. Some were funny. Some were pretty, and some downright complicated, like the scale model of Chance Creek’s downtown that the business association had commissioned.
As they walked through the town square, viewing the different sculptures, Wyoming relaxed a little. Emerson insisted on carrying Elise and showing the little girl each one up close, giving her a running commentary, which gave Wyoming time to examine her thoughts—and her heart. Caught up in taking care of the baby, Emerson was barely limping today, only a hitch in his step evidence that his wound hadn’t entirely healed.
Wye knew she didn’t want to lose him, and now that the first shock had worn off, she’d decided that she had the resources to take on Elise’s care. In addition to helping Emerson with the trailer rentals and farm bookkeeping, she could look for consulting work or even set up a website to advertise her paralegal services. Maybe she could find some city firm who would hire her to work part-time remotely. She’d help Cass run the house and do the books, and she could easily run errands for the ranch with Elise. She’d find ways to earn her keep.
Meanwhile, she’d trust Emerson when he said he was willing to take on Elise’s care, too. She was glad they’d already talked about the difference between fostering Elise and being her parents. They couldn’t forget that the baby had a mother and father who were both physically capable of caring for her, even if emotionally they’d suffered a setback. She and Emerson would open their hearts to Elise—but they couldn’t depend on forever with her.
Wye was beginning to think she could depend on forever with Emerson, though. Life had thrown a curveball at them yesterday, and here he was, spending the day with her and Elise, trying to convince her that he was ready to spend his life with her.
“Wyoming! It’s good to see you out enjoying yourself!”
Wyoming turned to see Megan approaching. The realtor took in Emerson with Elise nearby. “Do you mind my asking what’s happening? Did you talk to Ward?”
“No. We can’t find him, but we’re fairly certain he’ll be back,” Wye told her. “Meanwhile, we’ll care for Elise as best we can.”
Megan watched Emerson showing Elise a snow dinosaur presented by the Chance Creek Athletics Club. “You’re so lucky, finding someone like him. I’d love to get married and start my family. I know I’ve got time, but—I don’t want to have time, you know? I want it all right now.”
The longing in her eyes tugged at Wye’s heart. “I do know. I don’t think Emerson and I will wait that long—” She stopped when Megan grinned. “What?”
“I’m so glad you’re marrying him after all. I swear I went home and cried last night when I thought you two had broken up in front of me.”
Wye’s cheeks heated. “I guess I did say the wedding was off.”
“You were so fierce!” Megan told her. “And Emerson was so sad. I didn’t know what to do.”
Wye’s heart gave a pang. “We are getting married,” she assured Megan. “And I’d love for you to be there. I’m sorry I didn’t invite you before: it’s a small affair.”
“You don’t need to—”
“I’d like to. I’d like to get to know you better. I’d like to have more friends.”
Megan brightened. “Me, too! I’d love to come.” Her gaze slid to Emerson and Elise again. “Where am I supposed to find a man like that, though?”
“I could tell the General to send you one,” Wye said. “He’s the one who ordered Emerson to marry me.”
Megan laughed. “I heard about him sending home husbands for his daughters. While you’re at it, tell him to send me some clients,
