Sitting beside him, Emma remained quiet. Aidan cut his gaze over to her. She looked beautiful in an ice blue dress that was far less daring than the sundress she had worn the day before. With her hands folded in her lap, she appeared demure and innocent except for the swell of her stomach. Before he could stop himself, he reached out and took her hand and his.
A smile curved on her lips before she turned to look at him. “You sure you’re okay with this?” she whispered.
“Fine.”
As they pulled into the crowded parking lot, Emma shook her head. “Famous last words.”
He didn’t get a chance to question her. Instead, they were ambushed the moment they got out of the car. Emma coming back home to the mountains and to church seemed to have an almost celebrity status. It took him totally off guard.
Women were oohing and aahing over her while she was given countless hugs. Hands were thrust at him and introductions made. He gathered she hadn’t brought a man, boyfriend, or male piece of flesh with her to church since Travis.
Finally, the throng of people cleared, and they were able to walk into the building. “So,” he said, opening the door for her.
She grimaced. “So?”
“Can I get your autograph later?” he teased.
Emma giggled. “You’re so bad!”
“I didn’t realize I was dating the town sweetheart.”
“Sorry. I forgot to mention it,” she grumbled.
“Next you’ll tell me you were Homecoming Queen or something.”
When she pinched her lips tight, he widened his eyes. “Seriously?”
She nodded. “But it was a really small high school.”
Aidan draped his arm over her shoulder. “What else have you been holding out on me, Queenie?”
“Emma? Is that you?”
Aidan felt her tense beside him. He surveyed the attractive and well-dressed woman who appeared to be in her fifties. Her beaming smile faded when her eyes honed in on Emma’s swollen belly. An expression of agony flickered across her face, and Aidan thought she might burst into tears.
“Hello, Jane. It’s good to see you again,” Emma said, pleasantly.
Jane momentarily recovered, dragging her gaze off of Emma’s stomach and back up to them. Without hesitation, she drew Emma into her arms. “You’re absolutely glowing, sweetheart. I’m very proud and happy for you. I’m so glad your dreams of motherhood are finally coming true.”
Emma’s body trembled in Jane’s embrace, and a sob rolled through her. Aidan fought the urge to drag her away from this woman who was obviously causing her so much pain. He cleared his throat. “I’m Aidan Fitzgerald. It’s nice to meet you,” he said, thrusting out his hand.
Jane warily eyed it over Emma’s shoulder before slowly pulling away. “Where are my manners? It’s nice to meet you, Aidan. I’m Jane Lewis.” She took his hand in hers. “Congratulations on the baby. I’m so very, very fond of Emma.” Her chin trembled. “She was once going to be my daughter-in-law.”
Aidan’s chest constricted. Jane was Travis’s mother. Now it all made sense. Seeing Emma pregnant only made her think of Travis’s child that would never be. He squeezed her hand. “I’ve heard lots about your son, ma’am. I’m very sorry for your loss.”
She smiled. “Thank you. I appreciate that.” She released his hand and stepped back. “Now you take good care of our, Emma, okay?”
“Yes ma’am,” he said. Although the moment the words left his lips, he waited to be struck down. It wasn’t as if he was lying in the house of God. It’s just he didn’t know if he could ever live up to the expectations Jane and everyone else in church and in town might have for him where Emma was concerned.
Jane gave Emma a final hug before joining her husband. As Emma wiped the tears from her eyes, Aidan exhaled noisily.
Emma gave him a sheepish grin. “Sorry about that. I should have warned you we might see them.”
“No, it’s okay. It was just intense. At first, I thought she was just some holy roller pissed off that you were unmarried and pregnant. But then when I found out who she was…” He shuddered. “Please tell me Travis wasn’t an only child,” he said as they eased on their bench.
“No, he had two sisters.”
“But her only son.”
Emma nodded.
“Damn.” Aidan’s eyes widened when he realized he had just cursed in church. “Sorry,” he mumbled under his breath. He glanced over at Virginia to see if she had heard him, but luckily, she was chatting up one of her friends.
Then the service got underway. Aidan listened appreciatively as Emma belted out the hymns. His mind began to wander during the sermon, and he was never more thankful when church ended.
When he shot out of his seat, Emma laughed. “Guess you’ve had your fill, huh?”
“You could say that.”
Earl came up behind them and thumped Aidan on the shoulder. “Come on, son, I’d like to introduce you to a few people.”
Aidan reluctantly nodded. He wasn’t quite sure he wanted to hear the introductions Earl might make for him. After all, he was just Emma’s boyfriend…or the sperm donor…or the ass**le who knocked up the sweet angel of the community.
Surprisingly everyone was very friendly and welcoming. Of course, one guy continued staring daggers at him, and Aidan wasn’t too surprised to learn it was Steve—another blast from Emma’s past. Even though he had a beautiful wife beside him, Aidan could tell Steve was very protective of Emma.
He was nevermore thankful when Earl ushered him out the door and into the yard. After Earl finished introducing him to just about everyone outside as well, Aidan craned his neck through the crowd for Emma. A hand patted his arm. He glanced down to see Virginia. His expression must have spoken volumes because she pointed over his shoulder. Turning his head, he saw Emma standing at the far side of the church cemetery. He then nodded at Virginia, and she gave him an encouraging smile.
Drawing in a deep breath, he started weaving his way through the maze of different shaped and colored tombstones. Finally, he reached Emma. She stood stoic and silent in front of a pink granite monument that read “Harrison”. Underneath it were names “Noah and Katherine” along with their birth and death dates. A large silk flower arrangement sat at the base of the monument.
“Em,” he said softly, putting his arm around her waist.