Santa Wore Combat Boots Read Free Page B

life to complicate things.”
    Emma moved to another rack and mindlessly arranged clothing. She felt light-headed and attributed the feeling to nerves and the current topic of discussion. Traci followed and stopped Emma’s shaking hands.
    “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to upset you. I know how much you miss Larry, how much you still love him. But Emma, you can’t stop living.”
    “I’m not. I live each day, working and taking care of the kids. That’s what I’m supposed to do.”
    “When was the last time you did something, anything, just for yourself?” Traci only paused a nano -second, not giving Emma a chance to respond. “I’m your best friend, and I see you getting lost in all of this. I just want you to enjoy life again.”
    “I enjoy it with Ben and Sarah, and that’s enough for now. No one will ever replace Larry. Even if it were possible, what man in their right mind would want a ready-made family?”
    “Don’t close yourself off, Emma. Sometimes, you find it where you least expect it.”
    “Since when are you so interested in my love life?” Emma smiled, knowing Traci meant well. Unfortunately, the odds of what she spoke of actually happening were slim to none.
    “Since I noticed every year you seem to be losing a bit more of yourself. I want the old Emma back.”
    “I’m still here. Stop your worrying.” As much as part of Emma wanted to believe she could be ready, the larger part of her heart wouldn’t be unfaithful to Larry. “Jake and I are friends, so let’s just leave it at that. Listen, I’m going to take my break now and call Mom to make sure she’s still picking up the kids.”
    “Go ahead. If you need me, let me know.”
    Emma looked at the clock. One more hour, and her whole life could change forever.
    ***
    Madame Zelda was nothing more than an opportunist like all the rest. What a waste of time and money. Emma cried the entire way home. The fake medium didn’t tell her anything she couldn’t have read in a newspaper archive. When Emma had asked her to contact Larry, the gypsy-looking woman had waved her hands in the air and announced the spirit to earth connection was weak.
    Weak?
    No. Emma didn’t buy it. This was her Larry, who vowed he would never leave her, that he would come back from the war and they would raise their family. Nothing could keep him away from her. That was about the only thing Emma believed these days. She just had to find the right person to help her, and her options were running low.
    Pulling into the driveway, she hid the pile of tissues underneath the bottle of wine she’d stopped to buy. She usually never drank, but tonight she needed to. There were no more mediums on her list, which meant she needed to widen her search. She had no idea what she would do if they didn’t pan out, either.
    Her mother met her at the door, giving her a curious look over the bottle of wine. Hannah Simons never condoned alcohol and, to Emma’s knowledge, had never touched it in all of her fifty-seven years.
    “That’s not going to solve your problems, honey.”
    “Mom, I just need to relax. I’ve had one heck of a day.”
    “I can stay if you want to talk.” Her mother’s fingers hesitated over a button on her coat.
    “Thanks, but I’m okay. I’m going to enjoy the quiet with a glass of wine and hopefully have a good night’s sleep for once.”
    “You’re still not sleeping?” Her mother pulled a hat over her platinum-frosted waves, her blue eyes full of concern. “Have you seen a doctor? It’s not healthy not to sleep.”
    “It’s just this time of year, that’s all.” Emma gently nudged her mother out the door. “I’m fine.” She lied.
    “Well, okay.” Her mother shot her a disbelieving look before slowly stepping off the porch. “I’ll call you tomorrow about Sunday dinner. Aunt Pat and Uncle Robbie are coming through town on their way to Florida.”
    “Sounds fun. ‘ Nite , Mom.”
    Emma stood with her back against the door, feeling as