the watch in the box on a table.
Emma’s mystification about Zach’s solitary way of life grew as she listened to the brothers and realized they were close and enjoyed each other’s company. And Zach was good with Caroline. When Caroline walked over to him, he lifted her to his lap and focused his attention on her.
Shortly she climbed down and went to get into Will’s lap and turn his face so he looked at her. She whispered in his ear.
“Yes, we will right now,” Will said, looking at Zach. “Caroline has some family news to tell you.”
Caroline couldn’t sit still and had a big smile. She climbed down and ran to Zach to stand at his knee. She gave another shy glance at Emma and Emma suddenly suspected she was interrupting a family moment. She wanted to leave them to themselves, but she was afraid that would be even more disruptive, so she sat quietly.
Caroline’s big smile broadened. “Uncle Zach, I’m going to become a big sister.”
“You are!” Zach looked over her head at his brother. “Congratulations!”
“It’s early, but we told Caroline because we want to do some remodeling and build a nursery, not only in Dallas, but at my ranch here and in Colorado.”
“That is great news, Caroline,” Zach said. “Wow! You’ll be a big sister and I’ll be an uncle again.”
She laughed and turned in a circle.
Zach crossed the room to hug Ava lightly. “Congratulations. That’s wonderful.”
“We think so,” she said, her eyes sparkling. She looked radiant as she glanced at her husband and exchanged a look with him. They were obviously so much in love Emma felt slightly envious. Ava reached out to hug Caroline and Will picked her up, holding her while she wrapped her arm around his neck. “We’re thrilled,” Ava added.
“Congratulations to all of you,” Emma said. “You have wonderful news.” She looked at Caroline. “Caroline, you’ll have lots of fun with your little brother or sister.”
Caroline nodded and smiled.
“We’re excited,” Will said. “And we’ll let you both go back to work. We need to get to the ranch. Caroline has been promised to get to ride her horse.”
“It’s been nice to meet you,” Ava said to Emma. “We’re glad you’re working here. Zach needs help with all the old papers.”
“Just keep him from shredding them,” Will remarked dryly.
“I find them fascinating,” Emma said. “I’m beginning to feel as if I knew Warner Delaney. It was so nice to meet all three of you and it was good of you to include me in your family moment.”
“Do you think my unsentimental brother would care who he shares family news with?” Will remarked dryly, grinning at Zach.
As they left the room, Emma stayed back and returned to her desk. She didn’t go back to work, but sat staring into space, thinking about Zach. What a waste of someone’s life to take away the fabulous moments shared with family and friends. How could he turn down Ava’s invitation to spend Thanksgiving with Will and his family? Instead, he would sit in isolation at home on the ranch—a sad choice.
She sat by the box to read a letter, finally concentrating on her work.
When Zach returned, her pulse jumped. He was off-limits, a danger to her peace of mind because her volatile reactions to him had not dwindled even a degree.
“I enjoyed meeting your family. They’re great and that’s fantastic news they shared.”
“My brother amazes me. He’d been as opposed to marriage as any of us, yet he is so in love with Ava, it’s ridiculous. And he’s great with Caroline. None of us have ever been around children and to become her guardian was really tough for him.”
“Well, from what little I saw, Caroline is a very happy little girl.”
“Ava and Will have been terrific for her. Ava was the one who suggested Muffy, a little puff of a dog that brought Caroline out of her grief from losing her father more than anything or anybody else.”
“Did I hear her call him ‘Daddy Two’?”
He nodded. “We’ve gotten used to that. Will is her second dad since her blood father died and I think she wanted a mom and dad. You noticed she calls Ava Mom?”
“Yes, I did. They seem incredibly happy. How could you not want to be with them for Thanksgiving?”
“I’m my own company. I get along fine.”
She shook her head. “Amazing,” she said, reaching for another letter. “Do all of you get together for Christmas?”
He gave her a lazy smile and she guessed his answer. As shocked as she was over Thanksgiving, her surprise was greater this time. “You’re spending Christmas here alone? You can’t do that.”
“Of course I can,” he replied with laughter in his voice.
“I’d think all of you would gather here since this is the family ranch. Isn’t this where you had Christmas celebrations when you were growing up?”
“Maybe twice when Granddad lived here. Never, after he was gone. My mother hated the ranch. Any ranch. If we celebrated together, it was in Dallas. After Mom walked, we didn’t even come home for Christmas.”
“Zach—”
His jaw firmed and an eyebrow arched. She realized she should stop talking about his personal life. She shrugged and turned away, going back to work without saying anything else. He did the same and she fought the urge to stare at him. How could he spend Christmas all alone? She couldn’t imagine anyone doing that through choice.
They worked for the next hour and Zach stood, stretching again.
“Enough of this,” he said. “Let’s break. I’ll go lift weights and do what I can do without involving my foot. We have treadmills or the track. Or an exercise bicycle. Nigel will be there because if any of us lift weights, he appears. He doesn’t want us alone if we’re working out with weights. That’s a long-standing rule and he walks around the track, which is probably good for him. If you prefer, you can sit in the family room and have a lemonade or a cup of hot tea or anything else you want.”
“Enough choices,” she said, putting down a letter. “I’ll change quickly and get on a treadmill. I’d rather sit on the terrace after work.”
“Good enough. See you in the gym.”
She left him, hurrying upstairs to change.
If only Zach felt about holidays the way Nigel felt about working out. That one shouldn’t go it alone.
With Nigel walking on the indoor track, Zach hoisted a bar, lifting it high and lowering it slowly when he saw Emma enter the gym. He set the bar in place and wiped his forehead with a towel while watching her. She wore blue shorts and a blue T-shirt that revealed lush curves, a tiny waist and heart-stopping long legs.
She
