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."Why didn't you tell us sooner?""I was afraid.""Of your father and I?"Emma nodded."I didn't want to disappoint you.I wantedto make you both happy.""Darling, your happiness is what matters most to us," hermother said."And you could never be a disappointment.""Never in a million years." Her father put an arm aroundher."And call me selfish, but I'm glad I get to keep my babygirl a while longer.""Me too," Emma said."Of course," her mother added with a shake of her head,"the gossip mill's probably rolling as we speak."Emma rolled a shoulder."Until they find something else totalk about." Like the mayor's daughter and a half-breed.77Tempted Fate [Legacy of the Celtic Brooch Book 3]by Karyna DaRosaChapter 10At home, sitting at his writing desk, Luke refolded Emma'sletter after having read it for the third time.He slid it back inits envelope, then opened the mahogany correspondence boxand gently laid it on top of the others.How many times sincereceiving that first letter, had he gone to the train depot andstood there with tickets in hand, only to turn back? He evenmade it on board once, but the thought of arriving to thesight of Emma next to Calvin had proven too much.He refocused on the letters.In the beginning, they hadbeen informal with the obligatory question regarding his well-being, and of course, the brooch.He'd written her backimmediately, and her quick response, where she'd includedan apology on behalf of her brother, had left him both windedand elated.After that, Luke waited for the postman like adrunkard awaits a barkeep.Gradually, her letters took on a different tone.Looking atthe box, he knew exactly which letter was the one where shefirst greeted him as 'Luke' instead of 'Mr.Reinhardt'.It hadbeen the same letter where she'd closed with "Yours truly,Emma." The letters were thicker now, and involved moretopics of conversation than just the status of the brooch.Shenever once mentioned her engagement.He'd never asked,either.Taking a sip of his brandy, he strode to the front baywindow and pushed the lace curtains aside.He stared at thetree-lined cobblestone street.It would be callous of him towrite Emma that her brooch was lost forever.78Tempted Fate [Legacy of the Celtic Brooch Book 3]by Karyna DaRosaAfter months of searching, McKenna had tracked theO'Doyles to Virginia City where they attempted to rob a bank.It was there that the gang's luck had run out.The localtownsfolk, armed to the teeth, cornered them as they tried toescape.After the gun battle, only Joe O'Doyle survived, andonly for a couple of hours.He died before McKenna got thechance to interrogate him.Luke drained his glass and returned to his desk.The leasthe could do was tell Emma in person.He opened the centerdrawer and reached for the small, black velvet box inside.Opening it, he stared at the silver necklace he'd purchasedmonths ago.An impulsive act on his part, really.He nevermeant for it to replace her brooch.Back then, he was certainhe'd still find it.But the necklace offered a glimpse to herpast, a piece of her heritage.And he'd wanted to be the oneto give that to her.Luke pocketed the box and went to hisroom.He packed a small travel bag with some barenecessities.After all, he wouldn't be staying in Paradise long.He left his house and took a cable car to the train depot, hisstomach a tight ball of anticipation.Once on the train, hethought of a million different ways to break the news toEmma.Nothing seemed right.When he arrived at Barton Junction, Luke took thestagecoach to Paradise.Still at a loss for words, he figuredhe'd just have to tell her exactly what happened, as McKennahad done with him.Luke stepped off the stagecoach at Paradise.Afterchecking into the hotel, he walked to the Sarris residence.Hestood outside the front door for a moment, his stomach rising79Tempted Fate [Legacy of the Celtic Brooch Book 3]by Karyna DaRosaand falling in beat with his breath.Ten months and threedays, that's how long it'd been since he last saw Emma.Now,she was just on the other side of the door.His heart poundedlike a mallet in his chest.What if she was already married?No, he wouldn't think about that.Regardless, his visit wasstrictly platonic.After taking a moment to straighten his saccoat and smooth back his hair, he knocked.Emma's mother opened the door."Mr.Reinhardt?" Thetone of her voice matched the startled look on her face."Hello, Mrs.Sarris.""What a lovely surprise.Won't you come in?"Removing his hat, Luke followed her into the parlor."Iapologize for my unexpected visit.""That's quite all right.Please sit." She gestured toward thepair of wing chairs by the fireplace.Luke took the same chair he'd had during his meeting withthe mayor.It felt like ages since then."It's just that my husband won't be home for another twohours," Mrs.Sarris said, taking the seat opposite him."I'm not here to see the mayor, ma'am," he said."Oh?""I'm here to speak with your daughter about her brooch."Her face lit up."You found it?"Luke swallowed hard."Yes and no, ma'am.The Pinkertonagent I hired located the O'Doyles.Unfortunately, they died ina gun battle before he could interrogate them.I wanted to tellyour daughter personally."80Tempted Fate [Legacy of the Celtic Brooch Book 3]by Karyna DaRosaMrs.Sarris smiled at him."That's very thoughtful of you,Mr.Reinhardt." She stood up."I know she'll appreciate it.Please, wait here, I'll get her for you."* * * *Emma perched on the edge of her bed.A knock at herdoor pulled her attention from the book in her lap."Come in."Her mother held the door ajar, but didn't step inside."Come darling, you have a visitor.""A visitor?" Emma left her book on the mattress and joinedher mother in the hall.She certainly wasn't expecting anyone."Who is it?""Better if you see for yourself, my darling." Her mothergestured behind her."In the parlor.""All right," Emma said with a frown.She descended thestairs and went to the parlor.At the threshold, she stopped."Luke?"He rose."Hello, Emma."Her heart pounded an uneven crescendo in her ears.Hermouth went dry.Goodness, but he was even more handsomethan she remembered.His presence overwhelmed her.Theentire room seemed too small with him in it."Hello," she said, running a nervous hand over her hair.He gave her a small smile."Shall we sit?"Emma blinked, her face heated up."Oh, yes." You ninny,snap out of it! "Yes, of course," she said taking a seat.Luke reclaimed his chair.The smile he gave her turned herknees to mush."I apologize.I know you weren't expectingme."81Tempted Fate [Legacy of the Celtic Brooch Book 3]by Karyna DaRosa"That's all right," she said, unable to keep from lookingover every inch of him
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