Forever, With You. Sophie Love

she your niece?”

      Emily grinned and shook her head. “She’s Daniel’s daughter.”

      “Emily’s my new mom,” Chantelle said, squeezing Emily’s arm into her body and grinning.

      Emily felt her heart melt. But when she looked at Vanessa’s face, her friend was looking stony.

      “Daniel’s daughter from Tennessee?” Vanessa said.

      Emily nodded, her mood beginning to sour. Vanessa had been around during the weeks of Daniel’s abandonment, during those long six weeks where Emily had been left in turmoil, not knowing whether to stay or to pack the whole thing in and run back to New York, to take up Amy’s job offer and accept Ben’s proposal and pretend like this whole trip to Maine had been a dream. Along with Serena, Vanessa had supported Emily, offering her comfort and friendship, picking up the slack that Daniel had left behind. She clearly disapproved of Emily having accepted Daniel and his daughter into her life without any hesitation.

      “Chantelle, sweetie,” Emily said, “why don’t you hurry into that store and buy yourself some candy. Here.” She handed her some dollar bills. “Daddy likes peanut butter cups the best.”

      As soon as Chantelle was gone, Emily turned back to Vanessa. “I know what you’re thinking,” she began. “You think I’m crazy for letting Daniel back into my heart without putting up a fight. You think I’m being a doormat.”

      Vanessa shook her head. “It’s not that, Emily. I know you love him. Any fool could see that. I never doubted that you two would be together.”

      “Then what’s the problem?” Emily asked, feeling herself growing frosty.

      “The girl,” Vanessa replied. “Do you really think it’s okay to take her away from her home? From her mom?”

      Emily folded her arms. “Her mom relinquished care. She takes drugs and has mental health problems. Daniel tried to help her get clean and get into a treatment program but it didn’t work. She realized Chantelle would be better off with us. But I’m not going to cut Sheila out and pretend like she doesn’t exist. If she wants to be part of Chantelle’s life she can, just as soon as she’s clean. I won’t let a drug addict ruin that little girl’s life.”

      Vanessa looked uncertain. “I just don’t know if you realize what you’ve gotten yourself into,” she said. “Chantelle isn’t going to be an easy kid to raise.”

      “I’m aware of that,” Emily said testily, though Chantelle had been nothing less than a delight so far. “Of course there are going to be challenges. But Daniel and I are prepared to face them together.”

      “What about your own kids? You and Daniel? Will you still be able to have your own family if you’re busy dealing with Chantelle’s issues? And what about the inn? Is that a suitable place for a kid with difficulties?”

      “Chantelle doesn’t have difficulties,” Emily shot back, defensive and suddenly protective of the girl she was beginning to view like a daughter. “She needs love and care. Daniel and I are the best people to provide it.”

      Vanessa sighed deeply. “I don’t doubt that for a second,” she said with resignation. “I’m just worried that you haven’t thought this through. You’ve seen what a strain Katy has been on my life and she’s my own flesh and blood. I chose to have her. Chantelle’s been thrust upon you. She’s pretty much an ultimatum from Daniel. You never asked for this. I just think you need to step back and take a second to work out if this is what you want.”

      She reached out and squeezed Emily’s arm. Just then, Chantelle came back with a grocery bag filled with candy and chocolate bars.

      “Wow,” Emily said, “look at all this candy.”

      But her voice wasn’t as breezy and carefree as it had been. Vanessa’s words had rattled her, had cut right through her happiness and left a stone of doubt inside of her. Could she really raise Chantelle properly?

      CHAPTER FOUR

      By the time Emily and Chantelle got back to the B&B, Chantelle was exhausted. She managed to stay awake through the meal that Daniel had prepared while they were out, but she yawned throughout.

      “Maybe she should have an early night?” Emily said. “She was up super early. And school starts tomorrow so it won’t hurt her to be rested.”

      Daniel agreed and they went upstairs to Chantelle’s room, put her to bed, then read her a story until she was asleep.

      As they left her room, shutting the door quietly behind them, Emily thought about the last two days of parenthood. It had been more fun than she’d expected. But Vanessa’s words still swirled in her mind, making her doubt herself.

      Daniel and Emily went downstairs very quietly, not wanting the creaking floorboards to wake Chantelle.

      “I’d love to take the boat out to see the sunset,” Daniel said. “What do you say? Date night?”

      Emily frowned. “We can’t just leave Chantelle.”

      Daniel began to laugh. “Good thing Serena’s on her way over.”

      Emily’s frown grew deeper. “Huh?”

      Daniel just smirked. “Well, while you were out, I took the liberty of arranging a babysitter. She’ll be here at seven.”

      Emily’s frown transformed into a grin. “Really?” She couldn’t contain her excitement. It had been so long since she’d been on a proper date with Daniel, she didn’t realize how much she’d been craving it. She threw her arms around him and planted a sumptuous kiss on his lips.

      “I’d better get ready,” she said, beaming, and she rushed upstairs to dress.

      Serena arrived promptly at seven p.m., bringing her sweet-smelling perfume and arty flare with her.

      “Someone’s looking smoking,” she said as she caught sight of Emily’s outfit.

      Emily blushed. She’d never been one to take compliments. “Thanks for doing this,” Emily said. “We really appreciate having a night out.”

      “No problem,” Serena said. “I’m looking forward to kicking back and reading some trashy romance novels.”

      Emily and Daniel headed for the door, but before they got a chance to step out, they bumped into someone on the doorstep. It was Cynthia’s friend Owen, the young, timid piano player who had been to the inn before to tune her dad’s antique grand piano, and whom Emily had offered to come play whenever he so desired.

      “Oh, um, sorry, if you’re going out I can come back another time,” Owen said, stumbling over his words and fiddling with the sheet music in his hands.

      “Absolutely not,” Emily said. “You come in and play. Serena’s here anyway so you’re welcome to play as long as you want.”

      Owen smiled shyly and thanked Emily, then went into the living room.

      As Emily and Daniel trotted down the porch steps Owen’s beautiful, haunting piano music floated after them.

*

      The water sloshed against the harbor walls as Daniel helped Emily into the boat. The sky was still blue, though dusk was fast approaching.

      “Where are we heading then?” Emily asked once she was settled.

      “I wanted to explore another island,” Daniel said.

      Emily was reminded of the last time they’d done so, when she’d discovered the lighthouse and the paintings that her father had collected. She’d been certain that there might be some clue to her father’s disappearance contained within them, but like most leads she’d followed, that one seemed to have led to a dead end: just the name of an artist who was now deceased.

      Daniel started up the motor and the boat lurched away from the dock. The water was calm this evening, and the ride was smooth. The boat cut through the water easily. Emily held on tight, exhilarated by the feel of the wind in her hair, and thankful that she’d set