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hands dismissively. “But what can you do? Life moves on and things change.”
    “But you could still -.”
    “I have responsibilities now and two young kids. These days the people I cook for are most impressed by my spaghetti Bolognese. That’s just the way it is.”
    Emily was just starting to enjoy getting along with Joni after her outburst so she decided not to push the point. “Well the scones are nice anyway.”
    “Thanks.” Joni became quiet as if suddenly realizing how much she’d revealed about herself. “Anyway, enough of that. Collin says you like to play Scrabble. Would you be up for a game?”
    Emily felt a flash of uneasiness. Things were going a bit too smoothly.
    “Come on.” Joni could read her look. “Take it as a peace offering. I don’t often admit to being wrong. Besides Laura’s minding the kids and I don’t really have anything else to do.”
    “So I’d be doing you a favor,” Emily said with a twinkle in her eye.
    “Don’t push it.”

    -

    Joni closed the door securely behind her and turned to lean against it. She closed her eyes and lifted her head to the sky. It hadn’t been as bad as she thought it would but it hadn’t been easy either. She hated admitting she was wrong. But then she’d never actually given Emily a chance. She’d behaved as badly as her own kids, treating Collin like a toy she didn’t want to share.
    For the first time she saw why Collin loved Emily. She was easy to talk to. She had an honest open look to her and a desire to see the good in people. Joni snorted then covered her nose self-consciously. Emily had to be looking pretty damned hard for the good in her to forgive her so easily. She promised herself she’d make more of an effort and rationalized it by telling herself she was doing it for Collin.
    Emily stayed where she was at the kitchen table feeling stunned. That had been unlike anything she’d ever experienced. She and Jeremy had always been open with each other but in a gentle way. Joni’s straight forwardness seemed harsh in comparison. But something about it was refreshing. And Emily found herself being drawn to her new sister-in-law in spite of herself.

Chapter 3

    Emily pulled out a new book she’d bought before the wedding and curled up in bed for a few hours. She took the time to enjoy the feel of her clean house, looking around her bedroom with satisfaction. Yes, it was a place she could see herself waking in for some time to come. She liked knowing that all her clothes were tucked away, that her cds were now mingled with Collin’s, and that eventually she’d be able to picture the view out the window with her eyes closed.
    When she did get up she walked slowly down the hall, peaking into the bathroom to see her shampoo, conditioner, moisturizers and everything else neatly arranged on the shelves. Heading downstairs she let her fingers glide along the handrail knowing there wouldn’t be any traces of dust. She found that a bit ridiculous because it was only during this moving-in stage that she ever really dusted. It was generally a chore she hated and avoided as much as possible.
    Entering the kitchen she found that Collin had folded up the last load of laundry she’d left in the dryer. His cereal bowl was in the sink and even that added to her contentment. She hummed to herself as she set about making instant coffee. She didn’t bother with the other stuff when Collin wasn’t around.
    Still, she didn’t feel quite ready to enter the outside world. She wanted to soak up the feel of the little bubble that belonged to her and Collin before she ventured out to explore the rest. She lit a fire for herself and eventually made a ham sandwich. She preferred turkey, but ham seemed to be the thing in Ireland, or at least it was what Joni had bought for them. She pulled out a bag of crisps, which were potato chips, but now chips meant fries so she had to get a new grasp on her potato products.
    Emily watched the rain coming down and