Hope Remains: A Hope Springs Fanfiction

Chapter 10

The drive home was pleasant. Emma couldn't remember talking so much or laughing so hard in a long time. Peter was pleasant, smart, and funny. He sat up on the front bench of the wagon with Papa but he turned himself fully around to talk to Emma and Ivy. They talked about everything from growing up in Baltimore versus the wilds of Wyoming to books, music, and places they wanted to see. His list of places he had been was much longer than hers, she had only been to New York City once when she was small. She had gone dress shopping with Mama on Fifth Avenue and vaguely remembered how pretty she had looked in a slim, pale green dress embroidered with tiny daisies.

Peter's conversation lightened her heavy-laden heart, and the drive passed quickly. Papa had asked the Johnsons to let Peter stay with them above the mercantile, which they had happily agreed to do. When the wagon pulled up in front of the mercantile, Peter jumped down before handing Emma out of the wagon bed. Her fingers tingled a little at his touch as his own fingers lingered just a split second longer than necessary.

"May I call on you while I'm here?" he asked, his eyes smiling down into her. She felt her cheeks heat with excited nerves.

"Yes, of course."

The words came out rather breathless, her stomach erupted into excited flutters when he kissed her knuckles before going inside.

"I think Emma likes Mr. Kent, Papa," Ivy commented as Emma climbed back into the wagon. She shot her sister a warning glare, but Ivy's teasing smile only grew. "And unless I missed my guess, the feeling is mutual."

Was it? Emma hoped so. She had longed for someone to love and be loved by her for her whole life. She had thought it would be Finbarr, but perhaps she'd had to get over her childhood fancy to allow someone new into her life. Someone incredibly kind and handsome and smart...

"He's a good man," Papa acknowledged Ivy's comment with a flick of the reins, urging the horses toward home. As they rolled into the yard, Sean and Eimear flew out the side door, running alongside the wagon until Papa pulled the horses to a stop.

"Papa!" Little Eimear's squeal of delight as Papa picked her up and spun her around made Emma's smile widen. Sean was next as Papa hugged him as well, tousling his hair.

"I swear you've both grown like weeds while I was away," Papa shook his head, putting his hand on Sean's head. "Before I know it, you'll be old enough to run this farm."

Sean smiled proudly. "I did most of it while you were gone. Finbarr came and helped me with the parts I couldn't do on my own."

"That's a good lad," Papa nodded approvingly, turning his attention to Eimear. "And what did you do while we were away, my little Irish rose?"

Eimear took Papa's cheeks between her little hands solemnly, gazing deep into his eyes. "Missed you."

Emma watched her littlest sister, her heart warming tenderly. Eimear always worried about everyone else, a kinder, more unselfish person Emma had never met in her entire life.

"Well, I'm home now," he replied, kissing Eimear's forehead. "What did you and Mama do together?"

"We baked brown bread," Eimear said proudly. "Mama let me pour in all the ingredients."

As Eimear prattled on to Papa about her adventures with Katie while they were away, Emma took a crate out of the wagon and headed to the house. Katie met her in the doorway with a broad smile and hug.

"I'm right glad you're home," she said as she held Emma close. "I quite missed you while you were gone."

Her heart panged slightly, guilt for her secret desire to leave for Baltimore gnawing at her insides. How could she leave her family who she loved so much? Still, what kind of future would she have here? What of Peter Kent?