Imagine That by Kristin Wallace Page B

town.”
    â€œI wouldn’t have put you two together—”
    â€œWhy not?” Emily asked, before she could stop herself.
    Julia’s eyes widened at the outburst. Then she shook her head and let out a wicked laugh. “Why do you care?”
    â€œI don’t.”
    â€œMm. I only meant Nate is so quiet and serious. A bit of a recluse. While you…”
    Emily nodded. “Tend to run off at the mouth, I know.”
    â€œIt’s one of your most interesting qualities,” Julia said with a teasing grin. “Actually, I have to say the idea of you two isn’t so strange. You could be exactly the person he needs.”
    â€œNo.”
    â€œHey, I understand. You think I’m one of those people who fall in love and then sets out to pair up the whole world. I know I would have balked if anyone had dared suggest a romance between me and Seth.”
    â€œThere is no romance here,” Emily said, emphasizing every word. “Besides, Nate and I have nothing in common. We might as well be from different planets. I know we speak different languages. Half the time he looks at me like I’m crazy. I was raised by two college professors. I’m not even sure Nate went to college.”
    Julia tilted her head. “So what? There’s no shame in making a living working with your hands.”
    â€œI know,” Emily said, wishing she could dive under the table. If she checked a mirror right now she wouldn’t be surprised to find a big Snob branded into her forehead.
    â€œYou have a problem because Nate doesn’t have a degree in philosophy or literature?” Julia asked. “Because he paints houses for a living instead of sitting in a corner office crunching numbers? He’s good at what he does. He repainted Seth’s house and did a great job. He met every deadline, didn’t disappear for days on end, and never ran over budget.”
    She groaned and covered her face. “I must sound like the world’s biggest jerk.”
    â€œYou sound like you don’t know him well, and you’ve made a judgment based on his job.”
    Emily didn’t say anything. Her shame ran too deep to argue.
    Julia’s expression softened. “Do you think he has no ambition? Maybe it would make you feel better to know he owns the house painting business.”
    Her head shot up. “He’s the owner?”
    â€œYes.”
    â€œHe never said anything.”
    â€œNate is a pretty humble guy.”
    Emily felt the weight of her misconceptions crushing in on her. “Next, I suppose you’ll tell me there’s a wonderfully noble reason why he still lives with his mother.”
    Julia didn’t answer right away and Emily froze. “What?”
    â€œMaybe you should ask Nate about that, too.”
    The weight pressed harder. “Julia…”
    â€œI can’t talk about his private business. I shouldn’t be saying anything at all, except I can tell you he came back for a good reason.”
    â€œI am such a horrible person.”
    Julia smiled. “Not horrible. Just misinformed. Now you’re starting to get the bigger picture where Nate’s concerned. The question is what will you do now?”

Chapter Ten
    Emily stepped out of her car and gaped. Talk about a small-town utopia. Stately oak trees lined a quiet street, which was framed on both sides by graceful homes that wept of I-do-declare charm. Covered verandahs, intricate gingerbread embellishments, painted shutters. White picket fences. For what picture of America could be complete without gleaming white partitions?
    Something warm and gooey filled Emily’s veins, like chocolate chip cookies right out of the oven. Home, sweet home. Unbelievable.
    The front door creaked open, and Julia emerged on the front porch. “Hey there. Glad you found us. Did you have any trouble?”
    Emily’s gaze caught on the flower boxes underneath the upstairs