Second Time Around Read Free Page B

me.”
    Emily took her sister’s hand and squeezed it. “I’m sure there are, Kat.” Caring for Katarina and their youngest sister, Lisa, while her mother had worked two jobs had made Emily realize the importance of an education. Which was why she and Kevin had agreed to wait until she finished her bachelor’s degree to get married. Then came that letter—
    Her mind pulled the plug on the memory. “Hey, we’re supposed to be having a good time tonight. Who brought up this maudlin subject, anyway?”
    Katarina grinned. “You’re right. Let’s change the subject. So, tell me more about the wedding. The part without Kevin, if you’d prefer.”
    In between bites of chicken cordon bleu and salad, Emily told her everything, excluding the charming way Kevin had played with the kids during the reception. Remembering it made her heart swell. There he was in his tailored suit, romping around on the floor with Laura’s sons so the bride and groom could enjoy the reception….
    His thoughtfulness and boyish sense of humor were what had first caught her attention so many years ago. She had been sitting solemnly by herself under the golden leaves of the grand old maple tree at the college-sponsored concert, when Kevin spied her staring at him. Even from a distance, she’d seen the way he made everyone around him feel. He had a contagious laugh and a quick wit. As she blushed, he introduced himself. A few minutes later they were sharing the shade, deep in conversation and laughter.
    For three years he’d courted her, throughout it all putting up with her mother’s ridicule. But Emily hadstayed, falling ever more deeply in love with the man her mother had predicted would love her and leave her, just as Emily’s philandering father had done.
    â€œI’m going to Lincoln next week for a show. Do you want me to take anything to Mom?” If her sister noticed Emily’s distraction, she didn’t mention it.
    Emily welcomed the interruption.
    â€œMom… Oh, yeah, would you take her birthday present?”
    â€œWhat did you get her? I haven’t found anything yet.”
    â€œIt’s an airline ticket. Thought I’d take her to the mountains. Care to join us? I’ve borrowed Laura and Bryan’s cabin for a week.”
    â€œSounds fun. I’ll check my schedule. With the move, I may have to make a last-minute decision depending on how everything is going.”
    â€œI thought I’d see if Lisa can join us, too. We’ll make it a family reunion.”
    After catching up on the latest on Lisa and her beau, they discussed Kat’s growing business and her worries of keeping up with the demand for her designer dolls.
    Clearing the dishes while Katarina called her on-again-off-again boyfriend, Emily let her thoughts return to their mother’s influence on the three daughters’ relationships. Katarina couldn’t take that final plunge into matrimony. Lisa didn’t date any man long enough to fall in love.
    And Emily—the broken engagement to Kevin had been enough to send the frightened child in her running as far as possible from love and commitment.
    Eight years later, she was still running.
    Â 
    Two weeks had passed since her sister’s visit, and since she’d seen Kevin. Emily walked into the church’s preschool to tell the children about being a doctor. She and the teacher visited for a few minutes before a little boy from Emily’s Sunday school class grabbed her hand. “Dr. Emily, come see what a tall tower I can build.” She followed Ricky, welcoming the chance to visit with the little boy away from the examination room.
    For the next half hour, Emily watched as Ricky played with the children. After Circle Time, they prepared for the guests to talk about their careers. A cake decorator was first, and gave each child an ornately decorated cookie to keep each busy while she turned a