“We could have a tiebreaker, but I’m too damn tired.” She held out her hand for a shake. “We share.”

CHAPTER TWENTY

CHAPTER TWENTY

DEL FOUND HIS OPPORTUNITY TO TALK TO EMMA ALONE FOR A good stretch the next day when he suggested the two of them drive to the local nursery to see what sort of plantings she’d like to put in.

She jumped on the idea so quickly and enthusiastically, he felt just a little guilty. He’d make up for it, he decided, by letting her pick whatever she wanted, even if it meant hiring a local landscaping crew to maintain it.

She cut that sop to his conscience the minute she hopped in the car with him.

“Low maintenance is key,” she began. “I’d love to do whole rivers of color and texture, but you don’t live here. No point in having all that, then needing to hire people to deal with it when you’re only here off and on through the year.”

“Right.” Anything she wanted, he told himself again. Anything.

“Next key is sticking to plants and grasses indicative of the beach, and going for a natural look. It’s going to be fun!”

“You bet.”

“It will.” She laughed and poked him. “I’m going to enjoy this a lot, plus it goes in as my own little payback for the vacation. It’s such a beautiful place, Del. We’re all so happy to be here.”

“Payback? Come on, Emma.”

“It feels good to do something to show appreciation.You’re not taking that away from me, so don’t even think about it. Boy, it’s a gorgeous day. I can’t wait to get started on this.”

“It’s nice to get away, relax. It’s good for everybody.”

“No argument from me.”

“Dump the stress. We’ve all got it. Not just work, but outside sources bring it, too. Laurel going head-to-head with Linda added plenty for her.”

“Oh, she told you about that. I wasn’t sure she would.” Emma sat back as anger shifted over her face.

“It’s lucky she caught Linda before she strolled right in Mac and Carter’s place, but I don’t like knowing she had to take Linda on alone.”

“She handled it, sent Linda off with a bug in her ear. But, I know what you mean. She didn’t have any backup when Linda went after her. She was so upset.That woman knows exactly where to slip the knife.”

“Nothing Linda says means a damn.”

“No, but words hurt, and she knows which ones to use. She’s . . . She’s a predator, that’s what she is, and she goes for the weak spots. She really piled it on with Laurel. First her father, then you. Stab, stab, claw.”