Emmett by Diana Palmer

“But I’ll miss you, too. You could write me, if your dad doesn’t mind.”
    â€œMe, too?” Polk asked.
    She smiled. “You, too.”
    He beamed. Guy didn’t say a word. He stuck his hands into the pockets of his jeans and trailed after Amy and Polk.
    â€œI’ll say goodbye, then,” Emmett said quietly. He searched Melody’s eyes, feeling oddly disconcerted at the thought of not seeing her again. He scowled, his expression steady and intent, and a jolt of pure pleasure seared through him as he let his gaze fall slowly to her mouth. It was silky and soft looking, and he wondered how it would feel to smooth her body against his and kiss her blind.
    He dragged his gaze away. He must still be concussed, he decided, to be considering that! Any such thoughts were a road to disaster. She, of all women, was off-limits. He would never forget Adell and Randy. Thepast would destroy any thought of a relationship with Melody.
    â€œGoodbye,” he said stiffly, and followed the kids into the elevator. Guy looked over his shoulder, and there was something in his eyes that mingled strangely with the hostility. He looked as if he were about to say something, but Emmett’s gentle hand on his shoulder guided him out the door.
    The apartment was quiet and lonely with everyone gone. Melody got her clothes ready for work the next day, but she did it without any real interest. With a sinking heart, she washed Alistair’s bowls and put them out of sight. Tears stung her eyes at the thought of never seeing him again. She’d never dreamed that a child could be so vindictive.
    Â 
    Back at the hotel, Guy was totally uncommunicative until that night. After Amy and Polk went to bed, he sat down on the couch next to his father.
    â€œSomething’s bothering you,” Emmett remarked quietly.
    Guy shrugged. “Yeah.”
    â€œWant to tell me about it?”
    The boy leaned forward, resting his elbows on his knees in a position that Emmett often assumed.
    â€œI let Melody’s cat out.”
    Emmett’s head lifted. He wasn’t really surprised. He’d suspected this because of Guy’s behavior. “That was cruel,” he replied, “after she was kind enough to take care of all three of you. The cat was special to her. Like Barney is to you,” he added, mentioning the mongrel pup that Guy was fond of back home. “Try to think how you’d feel if someone let Barney out in the streets…”
    Guy burst into tears. It was the first time in memorythat Emmett had seen that happen. Even when his mother left, Guy hadn’t cried.
    Awkwardly Emmett pulled the boy against him and patted his back. He wasn’t too good at being a parent most of the time. The kids made him uncomfortable with their woes and antics, which was really why he spent so much time away from home. Now he wondered if he’d been needed more than he realized. The kids hadn’t had anyone to talk to about their mother in two years, or anybody to lean on. He’d assumed that they hadn’t needed that. But they were only children. Why hadn’t he realized how young they really were?
    â€œWhy did you let the cat out?” Emmett asked Guy gently.
    â€œBecause I hate her! She helped Mom leave!” Guy choked. “She’s nothing but a troublemaking witch!” He looked up, a little uncertainly. “You called her that!” he added defensively, because his father didn’t look pleased about what he’d said.
    Emmett groaned. “Yes, I did, but it was because I was hurting. Nobody made your mother leave. She went away because she never really loved me.” It was painful to say that, but now that it was out, it didn’t hurt so much. “She did fall in love, but with another man, and she couldn’t live without him. That’s not your fault or mine or Melody’s. It’s just life.”
    Guy sniffed, and pulled away, wiping his