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I don’t have any money to spare, and what I do have is going
to books for my daughter. Whatever you’re selling, Mrs. Douglas, I just can’t
do.” Holly laughed and told her that it was going to be great working with her.
“Working with me? I don’t understand. I don’t…what’s going on?”
    By the time she’d gotten in touch with Irwin,
she was nearly finished explaining what she had in mind. Doris was still leery
about it, but Tessa was asking questions like a pro. When Irwin showed up an
hour later with a camera man and a laptop, Tessa was lining things up she thought
should be put on the webpage first. Holly left them to it, feeling the best she’d
felt in a long time.
    Going down the long drive to the McBride
ranch made her think of her own home…not the one that she’d grown up in, but
the one that she and Jace had now. It was spectacular, and she loved every inch
of it. And the greenhouse that Jace had had put in for her was her sanctuary. Soon
they’d be adding to the house with the baby. That had her both nervous and
excited.
    Parking the car, she went up to the door and
was let in by Mr. Fox. She laughed when she realized that he wasn’t just Mr.
Fox, but he was one. He grinned at her as well.
    “I’d heard that you’d made some changes in
your life. I’m happy to see that they’re suiting you well.” Holly told him that
she was having a good time. “Very good, miss. I’m very happy for you.”
    “I came to see Emma. She and I have known
each other just about forever, I think. How’s she doing?” He told her she was
resting but wanting to get out. “I bet. She never was one to sit still for
long.”
    Holly was taken to the living room and brought
some tea and scones. Mrs. Baker had always been the best cook, and she wondered
if she’d tell the recipe to Jace so that he could make these too. When Emma
came in, Holly nearly swallowed her food whole.
    “Yeah, I know, I look like shit.” Emma
hobbled into the room and, after sharing a hug with Holly, sat on the couch
near the fireplace. “I’ve been thinking that the doctor might have been right
in telling me that the worst was yet to come. Christ, I hurt in places that I
had no idea that they had names for.”
    “You look good other than you’re beat to
shit.” They both laughed. “How are you, really? I’d heard that you were mugged,
but this looks like more.”
    “I don’t know what they intended other than
they were going to get me. The police said that they thought rape and murder; nice
combo, right? But I don’t think they expected me to fight back or have a gun.”
    Holly had heard that as well. That Emma had
killed both men who had attacked her. And when Logan had gotten home yesterday
after helping the McBride’s put Emma to bed, he said that she looked like
someone had run over her. Logan had wanted to go and find the men and kill them
again, he’d been so upset.
    They talked for a time, and Holly gave Emma
her gift…well, gifts. She’d gotten her the lovely lap blanket with the hand
embroidered work done on it, and a basket of homemade soaps. Emma said she was
looking forward to using them.
    They talked for an hour, catching up on
things. Holly wasn’t surprised to hear that she’d been offered the partnership in
the firm she worked for, and Emma was thrilled for her and Jace about the new
baby. It wasn’t until someone started shouting from the hall that she realized
that Mr. McBride was home, as well as Dirk.
    Holly had never cared for Dirk. Few people
did, she supposed. He was an ass and a jerk. Dirk also treated everyone like
they weren’t good enough to be around him, including his parents. Holly had
always thought that someone should take him down a few notches, but so far as
she knew, it had never happened. When Emma said her name, she looked back at
her.
    “He’s gotten himself in trouble again. And I’m
not going to go to court with him. Not that I could, but he’s pissed.” Holly
nodded.