Read Online Strangers When We Meet by Marisa Carroll - Free Book Online Page A

around her. She was being trapped by the affection she felt for Daryl’s mother and her reluctance to make a scene in public. The diner was beginning to clear out, the midday crowd drifting away to enjoy the cool, sunny afternoon or browse through the end-of-season sales in the shops, but there were still a number of people easily able to overhear their conversation. Daryl remained silent. He wasn’t going to make this easy for her, and she couldn’t blame him.
    “I’m sorry, Lori,” she said. “But—”
    “Emma needs some time, Mom.” Daryl broke in at last. “You know, we haven’t known each other all that long. It’s been a pretty whirlwind kind of affair. She needs to be sure.”
    His voice cracked a little on the last word. Lori gave Emma a sharp look, one that clearly said, What’s going on here? But she nodded slowly. “I don’t understand this business of needing space and whatnot. But jitters I can understand. In this family we get married for the long haul. Not one divorce in three generations. I don’t want my baby to be the first.” She smiled and gave Daryl’s arm a playful slap, but beneath her teasing words there was a serious undertone, and Emma noticed that Daryl didn’t quite meet his mother’s gaze.
    “Well, I’m sure enough for both of us, Mom,” he said with a smile as he leaned over to brush a fleeting kiss on Emma’s cheek. “I’ve been sure from the moment I laid eyes on her.”
    Emma might have been reassured by the sincerity of his tone and the warmth of his hand on hers if she hadn’t flashed back to the scene in the restaurant. He’d been looking at the silvery-haired woman in just that way, and she had gazed at him with the same intensity.
    “I need to get back to Twin Oaks,” Emma said, sliding her hand from beneath Daryl’s. “I haven’t even unpacked yet.”
    “I thought—” Daryl began, then broke off. “That’s fine. I have some work to finish up at the office this afternoon. I’ll pick you up for dinner at eight.”
    She gave Lori a quick hug and waved goodbye to Burt. They made the short trip to Twin Oaks in silence.
    “Where do you want to go for dinner?” Daryl asked as he pulled into the shaded parking area along the side of the farmhouse. Emma stared through the branches of the century-old oak that sheltered the house. The leaves were a dozen shades of gold and brown, clinging stubbornly to the branches long after the maples and hickory had shed theirs. “I can get reservations at the country club if you like.”
    “Not tonight, Daryl. I’m tired.” She was going to suggest they have tea together at the inn so she could turn in early, but Daryl’s patience was at an end, and he interrupted before she could finish her sentence.
    He shifted in his seat, the rich leather upholstery sighing with the movement. He drummed his hand on the steering wheel. “You’re blowing this incident way out of proportion.”
    “I don’t know if I am.”
    “You’ve been paying too much attention to the women who call your show.”
    “What women are those?”
    “The ones who always pick losers.”
    “The ones with broken hearts because they gave their love to a man who wasn’t trustworthy?”
    “No. I mean the ones who can’t see the plain truth in front of their faces. They’re making you gun-shy. I’m no loser, Emma. I love you. I’ll always love you.” He reached out and brushed her cheek with the back of his hand. “God, I want to kiss you and make love to you and make you forget you ever saw that woman in the restaurant.”
    “It’s not that easy.” She wished it was. It would have been if he’d been honest with her from the beginning.
    “Saying you love me shouldn’t be hard.” He waited. She couldn’t say she loved him. She wanted to but she couldn’t. Because despite all his reassurances, he still hadn’t admitted he’d lied to her when he’d denied having dinner with that woman, and until he did, she could never be sure