Seth and Emma met 15 days ago.

ENDING OF PREVIOUS POST:

Seth returned and sat beside Emma. "What can I do to make you feel better?"

"Nothing." She glanced at the backdoor. "Please go outside with the guys. I'll be out in a few minutes."

"Emma?" He studied her. "I don't like leaving when you're upset."

"I'm fine, really."

"You're not fine." He stood and then sat again. "This is because of my stupid comment yesterday, isn't it?"

Emma turned away.

"You just answered by your reaction." Seth stood. "I'll be out back if you need me."

TODAY'S POST:

Chapter 15 B

It took Emma awhile before she returned outside, the screen was up, the inside braces had been completed, and the roof addition started. "It looks almost done."

Jake pointed to the roof. "Just need to finish that."

Seth held up the doggie door. "And this." He glanced at his friends. "Let's clean up and call it a day. It's hot out here. I appreciate the help, but you guys can leave. I'll put in the doggy door tonight and tomorrow work on the roof. Fur Ball can use it without a roof."

Pastor Pat said, "We should finish building the roof. Then add the aluminum drip edge and the asphalt felt paper before we leave. It'll be too hard for you to do it by yourself."

Jake added, "Pat's right. The felt paper will be fine for a little while without the shingles. It doesn't rain much anyway. Let's do this."

Emma watched. "How can I help?"

The four men studied her. Finally, Pastor Pat said, "Emma, let's go inside and talk."

As they sat on the couch, Emma said, "I feel like a little girl who's being disciplined."

"Does that mean you've done something wrong?" Pastor Pat paused. "I feel there's something going on between you and Seth."

"Nothing really. I just thought Seth and I were friends. I guess I was wrong."

"Did he say something that would indicate you're not?"

"Not in so many words."

"Seth's stingy with his words. Sharing feelings isn't his strongest area."

Emma asked, "You think I..."

"I think you care for Seth and are using whatever is going on to ensure you don't get any closer," interrupted Pastor Pat. "I think you need to talk with him."

"I'm not sure I can. We talked a little last night, and I thought things were better. During the night the hurt returned."

"What happened? I promise it'll stay between us."

A few moments of silence ensued, before Emma explained Mr. Elliot's accusations and Peggy's comments. "It just went downhill from there. I got off work early the same day he did and then fell off a ladder just as he arrived. Inside I asked to check his sunburn."

"Proving Peggy's point." After Emma nodded, Pastor Pat asked, "Did Seth say he believed it?"

"No, but..."

"But nothing. Give the man a chance. He cares for you, a lot. He messed up, knows it, and is going out of his way to make things right. Let him." She studied her hands as he continued, "Emma, this isn't like you. You're much more forgiving than this. You're scared because you have feelings for him. Promise you'll talk with him."

"But..." When Pat's eyebrows rose, she exhaled. "All right."

Pastor Pat went outside. Emma remained inside, played her guitar, as she thought about their discussion.

*****
A few hours later the men left, then Seth knocked on Emma's front door. When she answered, he asked, "Can I come in and install the doggie door?"

"Of course. How can I help?"

He handed her the instructions. "Read these while I take the door down."

When Emma got a tape measure and attempted to measure a wiggly Molly, Seth grinned. "What are you doing?"

"The first step says the doggy door opening needs to be at least one inch higher than the dog. I want to make sure Molly fits."

Seth grinned as he held up the door. "This one's good for animals up to thirteen inches tall. Eyeballing your fur ball, I'm guessing if she stretches to her full height, she'll almost make seven inches. Hold it up to her and see if she'll fit."

Emma did and then avoided eye contact. "It looks like it's the right size."

"Ya think?"

"You're teasing."

"Only slightly." He picked up the door. "Would you hold the front door open? I'll cut the hole outside so there's as little mess as possible."

Standing outside holding the door, Emma said, "Thank you. After you're finished, can we talk?"

"We can talk right now."

"It can wait."

When Seth returned inside, he noticed Emma searching her cupboards. "What you looking for?"

"I was going to invite you for dinner, but I can't decide what to fix."

"Why don't I order a pizza?"

"Because you paid for dinner last night."

"You made breakfast this morning and your dad provided lunch. It's my turn." When Emma's lips formed a pout, Seth grinned, "You have a cute pout. What do you like on your pizza?"

"Mushrooms, onions, green peppers, and black olives."

"Can I have some meat?"

"Of course. You choose. I like it all."

Seth took out a coin. When Emma's eyes widened, he said, "I'm flipping between pepperoni and sausage." He flipped the coin. "Sausage won. Thin crust or hand tossed?"

"I really don't care."

Taking out his phone, Seth called in the order. "It'll be here in about twenty or thirty minutes." He watched Emma for a few moments. "We talking while we eat?"

She nodded. "I think we need to."

"Agreed."

The doorbell rang, while Seth finished rehanging the door. He took money from his pocket. "I need to check this. Would you take care of the door and give the delivery person a tip?"

"Sure." Taking the cash, Emma answered the door and carried the pizza box to the breakfast bar. She set out plates and drinks, as Seth joined her.

He opened the box and set a pizza slice on Emma's plate. "It looks good."

Studying her slice, Emma said, "Can we talk after we eat?"

"We can talk whenever you want."

After pizza was eaten and everything cleaned up, Seth and Emma sat on the couch, one on each end.

Emma exhaled. "That was really good. Thank you."

"You're welcome."

"You're waiting for me to begin, aren't you?"

"I am."

Ace came over and put his large paw on Emma's leg. She hugged him. "I guess he wants to help." Avoiding eye contact, she asked, "We were friends, weren't we?"

"I thought we were good friends, didn't you?"

"Yes." Emma hesitated. "I'm sorry I've drawn this out for so long. I've been childish. I should've trusted you more."

"Thank you for saying that." He moved so their eyes met. "When we got back last night, you were comfortable with me. Can I ask what happened for the doubts to return?"

Emma studied her hands. "I got ready for bed and put on my plain blue nightshirt. I realized everything those girls said was true."

"And one thing led to another." Emma nodded, and Seth continued, "Remember the night Fur Ball got away, and I removed the glass sliver from your foot?" After she indicated she did, he said, "You sat in a chair, and I covered your lap with a blanket because your plain blue nightshirt was incredibly alluring. I didn't want those thoughts or feelings about you. Nightshirts on the right person can be seductive."

Emma's hand flew over her mouth. "I'm sorry. I didn't know."

"I'm aware of that. Emma, don't give those women power over you. They're wrong. You're an amazing young woman." When her eyes widened, he added, "You are. It's not just my opinion. I happen to know many people who believe that."

"Thank you."

A silence continued before Seth said, "I need to take off my friend hat and put on the police chief hat." He touched her hand. "I need to know about that guy who grabbed you today. Did he say anything?"

"He said something like 'we meet again' and then dragged me toward the door." She shivered. "What's he doing here? Was he looking for me? How did he find me? Is he staying in town? Why?" She became silent for a few moments. "Is he stalking me?"

"Those are all good questions. I don't have any answers."

"Is he the person who siphoned my gas? Why would he do that?"

"Again, I don't know."

"But you think it's a possibility. That's why you made that sketch of him, right?"

"Yes, but again, I don't know."

"Does he know where I live?"

"I don't know." Seth held her hand tighter. "It wouldn't be hard to figure out. Beaverton's a small town and everybody knows everybody's business."

"I'm scared."

"I know. I could..."

"You're not sleeping on my couch," interrupted Emma. "And I'm not sleeping in your spare room."

"Can Ace spend the night?"

She petted him. "He can, but people are going to talk about his relationship with Molly."

Chuckling Seth said, "That's true. You can send him home in the morning or I can get him when I come by after church to work on the roof. Whichever is easier."

"We'll figure that out in the morning." Her eyes met his. "Are we okay?"

"Are you asking if we're still good friends?" After she nodded, Seth said, "I think so. How about you?" When she smiled and her face lit up, he grinned. "Good to know."

As Seth opened the front door, he said, "If you get scared during the night, I'm only a phone call away."

"I know, but..."

"Emma, I don't believe you'd call just to involve me in the situation. I believe this man has scared you and you have a right to be scared. I'm worried about your safety, too."

"Thank you."

Seth walked up the lane to his house. The Crown Vic's not in it's usual spot. I'm betting it's the same person. Now he knows we know who he is. I just can't prove it.

*****
Later that evening, Seth called, "Emma, I'm getting ready for bed and thought I'd check on you. You doing all right?"

"Yes, thank you."

He heard a grunt. "Was that Ace? He's not in your bed, is he?"

"Hmmm."

"He's a specially trained K-9."

"At my place he's a pampered pet."

"I see that." A short silence followed. "If you need me, I'm here."

"I know that. Thank you."


*****
Character List:

Police Chief Seth Carter - hero and Beaverton's Police Chief

Emma Winters - heroine and waitress at her parents' bakery and bookstore, but just graduated college with a teaching degree.

Carl Jones - Seth's good friend and right-hand man

Susan and Keith Winters - Emma's parents and owners of Winters' Family Bakery and Bookstore

Molly - Emma's almost four-pound Pomeranian

Ace - Seth's German shepherd, a trained K-9

Pastor Pat - Pastor of the Church and Emma's Godfather

Jake Baker - Seth's mentor and Winters' family friend

Ray Hudson - Works at the bakery

Peggy Barton - Emma knew her in high school and is the assistant librarian, she's making a play for Seth

Linda Holton - the town librarian

Mayor Castle - mayor of Beaverton

George Elliot - city council member, from old money, and father of Marc Elliot

Marc Elliot - troubled teenager