The House on Honeysuckle Lane by Mary McDonough

ready for a laugh, willing to be teased by his older sisters. Still, time and tragedy changed people, and while she had been battling her own demons since their mother had died, who knew what Daniel had been going through—and if he had been going through it alone or if he was sharing the experience with his wife.
    Emma hoped it was the latter; she admired her sister-in-law. From the start Anna Maria had held her own with the strong-willed Caro, and it couldn’t have been easy. Her brother had always been their mother’s favorite, and Caro could be vocal about how she felt he should be treated. Maybe having grown up in a “big, noisy, passionate” family—Anna Maria’s description—had prepared her not to be cowed by a doting mother-in-law too often tempted to point out what she saw as mistakes or omissions in her daughter-in-law’s housekeeping or the attention she paid to her husband.
    And Daniel could be a bit full of himself, Emma thought, and that was partially her fault, and Andie’s. Along with Caro they had spoiled him as a child, the adorable baby brother. Emma often wondered how Anna Maria handled Daniel when he was in a difficult mood. Probably with grace, patience, and a well-turned phrase.
    In a way, Emma thought, settling more comfortably against the pillows, Daniel and Anna Maria reminded her of Cliff and Caro Reynolds; they were a good, solid team built on love, respect, and friendship. But Daniel and Anna Maria lacked the glamour that seemed to hang around Cliff and Caro like a shimmering cloak. For so many years Emma had felt in awe of her parents. Cliff and Caro Reynolds had been so good-looking, so personable and charismatic, so intelligent. In short, they had been overwhelming.
    That was why when her father had approached her at the start of her last semester in graduate school with his remarkably generous offer, Emma had momentarily panicked. It would be an honor, he said, for his daughter to join him in his practice. He hoped to offer her the benefit of his years of experience. “And eventually,” he said, “when I retire, the business will be yours. And don’t worry about finding a place to live,” Cliff had gone on. “Your mother and I are more than happy to have you back home with us until you’ve saved enough money to buy a home of your own in Oliver’s Well.”
    Emma had been speechless. The idea of moving back to Oliver’s Well—specifically, to the house on Honeysuckle Lane—was appalling. She wanted a life of her own. She needed a life of her own. And to leave Oliver’s Well and the immediate sphere of her parents’ influence was, Emma believed, the only way to achieve full independence. She had seen what had happened with Andie and viewed her sister’s predicament—an early mistaken marriage—as a warning of what might come to pass if she stayed around. Unhappiness, dissatisfaction, and an unintentional dependence on her parents, those powerful, commanding personalities.
    Finally, after almost a full minute of silence, Emma admitted she simply didn’t know what to say. “Think about it,” her father had said, putting a hand on her shoulder. “You’re bound to have questions.” Cliff had chuckled. “I pride myself on keeping accurate accounts, but after all, you’re the one getting the MBA.”
    It was several days before Emma told her father that while she was grateful for his generous offer of a partnership, she intended to pursue other plans. His immediate reaction had almost made her change her mind; he was so very disappointed that Emma’s heart almost broke. Really, what was so wrong with staying in Oliver’s Well and working alongside her father, a man she loved and respected? But deep down she knew she couldn’t let guilt and a sense of duty override her intentions for a life of her own making. She knew that it would be a grave mistake to