Apparently, her father and Luke had been deeply embroiled in a baseball discussion. Her father was a Kansas City fan, and Luke a St. Louis fan, so their discussion was on topic about last season’s playoffs.
Emma took a seat and listened to the passion both of them displayed about the sport, her gaze occasionally flitting to the dogs. Boomer and Daisy were wrestling over a stick they’d found. Annie ran circles around them, and Pokey had found a nice quiet spot under one of the tall trees, observing the action.
She loved watching the dogs. Boomer and Daisy got along well. There was no aggression from either of them. It was a natural, fun sort of play. She was glad. And Annie had a great time barking and wagging her tail, trying to get in on the action. Even Pokey eventually got up to join in, which Emma was happy about, since he needed the exercise.
“What do you think, Emma?” her father asked.
She shifted her focus to her dad. “What do I think about what?”
“We were talking about football.”
“You were? I thought it was baseball.”
“Subject change,” Luke offered with a smile.
“Oh. I missed that. Sorry. I was watching the dogs play. Pokey’s looking like he’s lost a little weight, Dad. That’s good.”
“I’ve been taking him for walks like you told me, too. Every night after dinner.”
“Thank you. It’s good for him.”
Her mom came to the door. “Dinner’s ready. How about those steaks?”
Her dad nodded. “These are done, too.”
“Perfect. Y’all come in.”
They went in and washed up for dinner. Her mother set an elegant dining room, centered by the flowers Luke had brought, and of course all the wonderful food. Emma’s stomach had been growling, smelling the steaks cooking, and she couldn’t wait to dive in.
And so far, Luke was still there and hadn’t gone running out the front door.
A promising sign.
LUKE WAS STARVING. The steaks smelled great, and he really liked Emma’s dad. He was a sports nut, so they had a lot in common. And Emmett hadn’t grilled him about Emma, thankfully. Luke figured that as Emma’s dad he might want to know what his intentions were, but so far . . . nothing.
“So, Luke, how’s police work going?” Emma’s mom asked.
“Good. I stay busy, which I like. It’s not high crime, but there’s enough going on that it’s interesting, even for a small town like Hope.”
“I’m sure you’re busy with those drug thefts. Like the one at Emma’s place,” her dad said.
Luke nodded. “Yes, sir. And we’re working diligently on catching the person who did that.”
“Scared the life out of me when that happened,” Georgia said. “Especially since Emma was there at the time.”
“But I’m fine, Mom. And Luke said they probably would have never hit the vet clinic if they’d known someone was there. I just happened to be parked across the street.”
“That’s true,” Luke said. “Someone looking to burglarize, especially after drugs, isn’t going to want potential witnesses. If Emma’s car had been in the parking lot, they wouldn’t have bothered. It was just an unfortunate set of circumstances.”
“Luke got there in a hurry, thankfully.”
Luke looked at her. “And, fortunately, you did all the right things, so you were safe.”
“Thanks.”
“Sooner or later, they’ll screw up, and we’ll catch them.”
“Hopefully sooner, rather than later,” Emmett said, then went back to eating his steak. “The last thing we need in Hope is someone out stealing drugs from businesses. Who knows what they’ll do next.”
“It makes me feel a little less safe,” Georgia said. “Even though he isn’t breaking into homes.”
Luke nodded. “I know. And we’ll catch him. That’s a promise.”
Georgia squeezed his hand. “I know you will. We’re confident in you.”
“Well,” Emma said. “Enough about that. I have exciting news. I got to assist the birth of a litter of the sweetest golden retrievers yesterday.”
Her mom’s eyes widened. “Oh, I love goldens. How many?”
Emma was obviously going for a change in subject. Luke grinned at her.
She smiled back before turning her attention to her mom. “Eight of them. Just the cutest little things.”
“Oh, Emmett. Wouldn’t it be great to have a golden retriever again?”
“No. Pokey is enough for now.”
“The owner is going to sell some of the puppies,” Emma offered.
Her father glared at her. “You are not helping, Em.”
Emma shrugged, then smiled. “Think of all the exercise Pokey would get with a pup running after him.”
“So you think it’s a good idea?”
“I think Pokey likes it when Daisy and Annie are here. He doesn’t object to other dogs. And yes, he’s older and set in his ways, but a companion is a good thing.”
“Dammit,” Emmett said, scooping potatoes onto his fork. “I already know I’m going to lose this argument.”
Georgia looked over at Emma and smiled.
Yeah, Luke didn’t think Emmett was going to win that one, either.
After dinner, they all cleared dishes into the kitchen. Emmett and Luke rinsed and loaded stuff into the dishwasher while Emma and her mom put the leftovers away. With four people in the kitchen, cleanup was done in no time. Then everyone headed out back to hang out with the dogs.
Luke listened in while Emma chatted with her mom about some of her mom’s work-related stuff. Georgia was a very accomplished businesswoman. He could see where Emma had picked up her drive and ambition.
“Next week we’re launching a marketing campaign for the chamber of commerce,” Georgia said. “We designed a new website for them, because, oh, Lord, theirs was antiquated. It’s a wonder anyone even knew where Hope was or what services were offered in this town before.”
“I’m excited to see it, Mom. I know it’s going to be awesome.”
“All the businesses in town will be highlighted. Including yours, Emma. And information on all of Hope’s municipal agencies, too, including the police station.”
“That’s great, Georgia,” Luke said. “It’s an update that’s been desperately needed for a while now.”
“Thanks. I’m pretty thrilled about it. It’s taken us about two years to get it off the ground. A long process, but worth it.”
“I’m very proud of you, honey,” Emmett said. “I know how hard you’ve worked on this one.”
Georgia cast Emmett a glowing smile. “Thank you, Emmett. And thank you for building me an office. It’s my sanctuary here at home. You’re my hero.”
Luke loved the way they supported each other. And the way they looked at each other. Even after all these years together, they were still in love.
It was so unlike what he had grown up with.
That’s what he wanted. Someday.
He looked over at Emma, who was watching her parents with a goofy smile on her face. She shifted her glance over at him, and something elemental sizzled between them.
Yeah.
When it got dark, Luke stood. “I should be going. Thank you both for having me over today.”
“We’re so glad you came, Luke,” Georgia said. “You’re welcome anytime.”
Emmett shook his hand. “What Georgia said. And Kansas City is still the better team.”
Luke laughed. “Well, we’ll see about that during the course of the baseball season. I enjoyed myself today. Thanks.”
He called Boomer, who came to his side right away.
“I’ll walk you out,” Emma said.
They headed out to the driveway. This was the first chance he’d had to be alone with her the whole day.
She looked pretty in her black-and-white sundress, and he’d wanted to touch her. And kiss her. But she’d kept her distance.