strength to walk out the door. Emma’s wails followed her.
“Lacey!” Emma screamed.
She sat at the kitchen table and buried her face in her hands. How did parents do this? It was pure torture, but she had to start setting boundaries for Emma. She just never dreamed how hard it would be.
“Lacey,” Emma kept calling.
The sobs and calling suddenly stopped, and Lacey glanced up, waiting for Emma to walk into the kitchen. But she didn’t. Lacey didn’t know what she would do if Emma disobeyed her now. Her luck held, and the house grew quiet. After fifteen minutes, Lacey could stand it no longer. She slowly made her way to Emma’s room.
Her sister was still in the chair, her head bent as if she was studying her sneakers. She looked up when Lacey entered.
“Can I get up now?”
Lacey sat on the bed and patted the spot next to her. “Let’s talk.”
Emma climbed up beside her, her eyes still watery, and Lacey felt a catch in her throat. She hated this part.
“Do you know what you did wrong?”
Emma nodded. “But Mr. Gabe doesn’t mind me coming over. We talked.”
Lacey didn’t want to remind her sister that she had done all the talking. “That’s not the point. I asked you not to go over to Gabe’s.”
“But...”
“Emma, sweetie, Dad put me in charge of you and your welfare, and your well-being is my top priority. When you continue to disobey me, I feel as if I have failed in my promise.”
“No, Lacey.” Emma leaned into her, her face against Lacey’s arm. “I love you.”
Lacey wrapped her arms around her sister. “I know you do. And I love you. That’s the reason I’m here.”
“I didn’t mean to disobey. You were on the phone and I went outside and heard Pepper and Mr. Gabe. I wanted to see what they were doing. I forgot, Lacey. I forgot what you said. I didn’t do it on purpose. I’m sorry.”
Lacey hugged Emma tightly. “We’re going to make new rules. From now on, when you hear Pepper I want you to come to me and tell me, and then we’ll decide if you can go over and visit the dog. That’s the way it’s going to be, Emma. Do you understand?”
Emma nodded and looked up at Lacey. “Pepper is sick and Mr. Gabe’s gonna take her to the doctor. Can we go see Pepper tomorrow?”
“I’ll go over and ask Gabe, but we have to respect his wishes.”
“’Kay.”
“Get your crayons and pencils and drawing stuff out, and I’ll go over and talk to Gabe.”
Emma jumped off the bed. “I’ll draw a picture of Pepper. Are we going to the park later?”
“No. That’s part of your punishment. I’m not rewarding you with fun time.”
“Oh.” Lacey expected more tears, but Emma acquiesced easily, which Lacey was more than grateful for. She was holding on by a thread with her parenting skills.
“I’ll be back in a few minutes.”
Emma was busy pulling things out of a drawer as Lacey walked out. Lacey had to apologize to Gabe one more time and see exactly how he felt about Emma invading his privacy. And she had to thank him for removing the board.
* * *
GABE PLANNED TO give Pepper a few more minutes and then he would take her inside. He wasn’t sure when he realized someone was standing there, but he felt a strong presence and turned his head. It was the crazy lady. Now what?
She stepped onto his deck. “I’m sorry Emma came over here and disturbed you.”
He frowned. “Who’s Emma?”
She blinked, as if she was caught in the headlights of something disturbing. “She’s...my sister. The little girl who is always coming into your yard. Against your wishes.”
“Oh.” He was losing his mind, and he hated that she was reminding him how out of touch he was.
She motioned toward the gate. “Thanks for removing the board.”
“Yeah. I shouldn’t have done that.”
What did she want? Couldn’t she see he was having trouble making conversation?
Pepper whimpered, and she went to the dog and squatted next to her. “Is Pepper sick?”
Go away, he screamed inside his head. But then he heard words coming out of his mouth. “She has cancer.”
“Oh. I’m sorry.” She patted the dog and seemed generally concerned. But his perception was way off. “Is there any help for her?”
He rubbed his hands together, not wanting to talk, but once again words erupted from his throat. “No. The vet said it’s time to put her to sleep. But she was my son’s dog and I can’t do that.”
She continued to pat the dog. “She’s trembling in pain. You have to do something. You can’t just leave her like this.”
“She’s the last thing I have of my son. If she goes, I...”
She got up and knelt in front of him. He looked into green eyes as bright and shining as anything he’d ever seen. Was that a tear he glimpsed?
“She’s not the last thing you have of your son.” She placed a hand over her heart. “In here you have many memories that no one and nothing can take from you, not Pepper’s death or anything on this earth. That love, that feeling, will always be with you.”
His gaze narrowed on her face and he saw her for the first time, really saw her. Her hair was blond, a beautiful natural color, and it was short, kind of kicked up at the back and curled around her face. It gave her a young Meg Ryan appeal.... He had no idea where that thought came from.
“I’m sorry, I don’t know your name. I’m a little out of touch.”
“It’s Lacey.”
A pretty name for a pretty woman. He shook his head. “You don’t understand.”
“I do. I lost my father. The one and only safety net I had in my life, and suddenly all that security was gone. It’s been hard holding it together for Emma. I know your situation is different, but you can’t continue to let this dog suffer. Do the humane thing like the vet suggested.”
“I’ve been trying to do that, but something always stops me.”
“I will go with you if that will help.”
He looked at her again. He was a man and strong enough to handle anything. He’d dealt with his son’s death. Why was he so frightened of what would happen to him once Pepper was gone? Suddenly he saw a lifeline in her eyes. That was the way he saw it, and he took it, because it was the only thing he had at the moment.
“Thank you. I...I would appreciate that.”
She went back to Pepper. “Do you have anything to give her for pain?”
“The vet gave me some injections. I only have one left.”
Lacey sat next to the dog and stroked her. “She really needs something.”
He stood and walked into the house, knowing once he gave Pepper the injection, he would have to take her to the vet. It was time.
The woman was still there when he came back. She watched as he gave Pepper the injection. The dog drifted into sleep.
“When do you want to take her in?”
“The medication lasts a little over twenty-four hours. Probably tomorrow or when the vet has an opening.” He made the decision and he wasn’t panicking, because