Clifford Arbor: Savouring Emily Read Online Free PDF Page A

had passed since she turned up to talk.
    “Emily, you used to talk to me about everything. Us, we don’t need to change,” he said. “I’m no different.”
    “You may be my dad.”
    “So what? I was your maybe dad back then. The only difference between then and now is you know. I’m still here. I still love you like a daughter. Nothing had changed in me.”
    “Why did you do it?”
    Uncle Tyler gazed at her and then at the wedding photo on the shelf between the kitchen and dining room. “Why did I become a lover of your mother?”
    She nodded.
    “Me and your dad were best friends growing up. We did everything together. When we met your mother we both fell in love. As we grew up we had separate dates and it developed into something a hell of a lot closer. In Clifford Arbor, we know about the goings on in families we just don’t talk about it. For instance, Chase Spencer has two fathers.”
    Emily knew her eyes widened in shock.
    “Yes, his dad’s best friend stays over a lot. I loved your mother and so did your father. We couldn’t choose and so we forced your mother to pick between us.”
    “She wouldn’t do it, would she?”
    “No. Your mother knew how much our friendship meant to each of us and so she said she wouldn’t be the bitch that ruined a friendship. We were both stupid to think we could live with only one of us getting the girl.”
    “So what happened?”
    “Me and your dad were miserable and your mother came close to leaving Clifford Arbor.”
    “What kept her?”
    “Your grandfather. He came by and told us as much as he didn’t want to know about his daughter’s love life he wanted to see her happy. Me and your dad made her happy and with both of us looking after her, we would keep her safe.”
    “Granddad put you up to this?”
    Uncle Tyler laughed. “Yes. We planned it so perfectly. On Valentine's Day I cornered her and took her to a motel. Very classy. Then me and your father showed her how we could make her happy. We haven’t been apart since.” ]
    She thought about the motel room she stayed in with Chase. The night she lost her virginity and her heart to a man she barely knew.
    “How come my dad married my mum?”
    “Law still states only one man and one woman can get married. Your father is a few months older than me and that’s how we decided.”
    She sipped the last of her coffee and thought about what he’d said. It all made sense even if it made her uncomfortable.
    “What happened with you and, Chase Spencer?”
    “I’m not telling you about that.”
    “Doesn’t matter, Lawrence and Chase looked like they were ready to kill each other anyway.”
    As she was about to respond the front door opened.
    “Tyler, is it true. Everyone round town said they’d seen her.” Seconds later her mother came charging through the kitchen. Emily stood and adjusted the strap on her purple shaded sun dress. “Baby, you came home.”
    She was enfolded in a hug. For a few years she’d forgotten what it felt like to have parents. Being in the arms of her mother helped her to remember.
    “I missed you so much.”
    “I missed you too,” she said with honesty. Emily opened her eyes and glanced at her dad. He smiled at her and she knew she’d made the right decision.
    After so long she’d finally come home.
    ****
    Chase ran through the books a final time. He tallied everything up. Lawrence was banging around on an engine and a few of the other workers had gone on dinner break. He glanced at his watch and sighed. Another day had almost reached its peak. Another day of wishing for a woman who wasn’t coming home.
    “Instead of sitting on your ass, why don’t you come and help me,” Lawrence accused.
    “Only because you like seeing my ass working.”
    “You’ve got some strange comments lately. I’m sure the true crush you had in high school had more to do with me,” Lawrence joked and dodged a pen being thrown at him.
    “Get to work.”
    Chase came out several minutes later