Page 13 of Holding Ground

“Can I go say hi?”

I want to say no. To tell her to stay away from Emelia. But it’s inevitable they’re going to meet, so might as well get it over with. Even better, I can just watch rather than have to put myself in Emelia’s proximity again.

“Sure. Go say a quick hello and then straight back here.”

The words are barely done leaving my mouth before Baylor is rushing off the deck and running across the yard.

I check the burgers again and watch as Emelia sets her book aside when Baylor makes herself known. Emelia smiles at her and invites Baylor to join her on the deck, which of course she does.

I can’t hear what they’re saying from this far away, but a minute later, Baylor’s laughter echoes across the yard.

My hand flexes around the handle of the spatula. “Baylor, dinner’s ready. Let’s go.” My voice is too loud, too sharp, and I swear I can feel Emelia’s eyes narrow in my direction.

Baylor says something to Emelia, then she’s running back across the lawn and up onto the deck.

“Go wash your hands. Dinner is ready.” I set the buns on the upper rack of the grill to toast them.

“Can Emelia eat with us?”

“No.”

She tilts her head, frowning. “Why?”

“Because. Now go wash your hands, please.”

Still frowning, she slides the screen door to the side and steps into the kitchen. I hear her drag her stool across the floor as I take the buns off the grill. Then I place the burgers on the buns.

I had planned on eating out here on the deck. It’s a gorgeous night, and this kind of weather is fleeting in Maine. Best to enjoy it while it lasts. Regardless, I don’t want to be alerted to the constant presence of our new guest, so inside it is.

A few minutes later, we’re settled across from each other in our usual chairs at the kitchen table.

“How come Emelia can’t eat with us?”

“Because she’s a guest, but she’s not our guest.” I take a big bite of my burger.

“She’s really nice, Daddy.” Baylor’s big blue eyes fix on mine.

“Mm-hmm.”

“She’s pretty too.” When I don’t say anything, Baylor continues, “I’m glad she’s gonna be here.”

“That makes one of us,” I grumble under my breath.

“I’m gonna make her my friend,” she says, ignoring my comment.

I set my hamburger on my plate. “You’ll do no such thing. You know the rules…you leave the guests alone.” I give her a look that lets her know I’m serious while telling myself it’s not because the woman at the back of my property gets under my skin.

And it’s not. This is the same rule I have in place for Baylor whenever anyone is staying in the bunkie.

“But she said I could come see her whenever I want.”

“Baylor, I don’t want you over there bothering her, understand?” I hold her gaze until she nods. “Good. Now, less talking and more eating, okay?”

Her little shoulders slump, and it makes me feel like a piece of shit. I never want her to lose that spark and energetic personality.

But I’m doing it for her own good. What Baylor doesn’t understand yet is that Emelia is the one trying to change the way she’s going to grow up. It’s the same with all these developers—as soon as they get a foothold in the community, things change forever. And things are just fine how they are.

We don’t need the likes of Emelia Greene here, and the sooner she figures it out, the better.