Once Upon a Winter's Heart by Melody Carlson Page B

could say too much. “He admitted that he misses you.”
    â€œReally?”
    â€œI think he wants to talk.”
    â€œReally?” she said again.
    â€œGrandma, why are you staying at Nona’s house?” Tristan inquired.
    â€œOh…I thought it would be fun for a while,” Saundra said lightly. “To be with Nona and your Aunt Emma…and you tonight. Don’t you think that’s fun?”
    â€œYeah!” he said with enthusiasm.
    Not for the first time since coming home, Emma felt like she was witnessing the slow but certain unraveling of the Burcelli family. A family that had once been admired greatly by the people in this town, and perhaps those who were unaware still did. Not that Emma cared particularly. But for her parents’ sake, and even for poor Tristan, who was humming to himself in the backseat, she did wish her parents would try to work this thing out.

Chapter 9
    On Saturday morning, Anne called at ten and asked Emma if she could get Tristan over to the bookstore by eleven. “I totally forgot it’s his Big Brother day,” she said sleepily.
    â€œNo problem,” Emma told her. “He’ll be there.”
    Though she knew he could probably walk to town by himself, especially since it was such a nice sunny day, she still insisted on going with him. After all, she knew this would be her chance to see Lane again. And even if it was only for a few seconds, she was eager to see him. She knew it was juvenile, and she would be embarrassed if anyone suspected her true reasons for walking Tristan the few blocks to town, but she did it just the same.
    Lane was just ordering a coffee when they went inside. “Can I get you guys something?” he offered. Tristan said he’d like a cocoa and Emma let him order her latte. But when he handed her coffee to her, she felt uncomfortable. “Thanks,” she told him. “But I should go so that you guys get on with your day. I know this is Tristan’s special time with you, Lane.”
    â€œYeah, but we’re just going to sit here and drink our drinks,” he said easily.
    â€œYeah, Aunt Emma,” Tristan told her. “You can stay and drink your coffee.”
    Still feeling like an intruder, she sat down.
    â€œSo what’d you think of the magic show?” Lane asked Tristan.
    â€œIt was great. I learned how to do a card trick.”
    â€œCool,” Lane told him. “You’ll have to show me sometime.”
    â€œI wish I had a deck of cards.” Tristan frowned.
    â€œThey probably sell cards here.” Lane pulled out his billfold and handed Tristan a ten. “Go ahead and get some. Then you can show us.”
    â€œThanks!” Tristan leaped to his feet. “I’ll be right back.”
    â€œThat was nice of you,” Emma told Lane.
    â€œOr selfish.” Lane said, winking mysteriously.
    â€œWhat?”
    â€œSorry. I just wanted to have you to myself for a few minutes, Emma. Do you mind?”
    â€œNo, no…not at all.” She gave him puzzled look. “Is, uh, something wrong?”
    â€œNo, nothing’s wrong. But I had hoped to talk to you more last night and the next thing I knew you were gone. I looked all over and finally asked your dad and he said he’d seen you guys leaving.”
    She felt her heart fluttering again. Why was he so interested in her whereabouts? “Well, the magic show ended, it was getting late, and my mom wanted to go home.”
    He nodded. “Yeah. I understand. But I never had a chance to tell you how beautiful you looked last night.” He smiled warmly. “Our conversation was cut short.”
    â€œI know. But Anne needed you…and, after all, it was your big night.” She felt nervous but slightly delirious. Had he really missed her? But now she didn’t know what to say—especially with him gazing at her like that. It was all so unexpected. “So how did it go?”