Lost and Found Family Read Online Free

dress, worn with diamonds, couldn’t be called anything but tasteful. And it was obviously expensive. “You look lovely tonight,” he said.
    â€œThank you, that’s sweet.”
    Having delivered Emma to them, Christian excused himself to continue working the crowd—or to escape what he’d claimed was a slip of the tongue?
    â€œEmma.” Frankie turned to her, a hand on Melanie’s arm. “Join us.”
    Emma hesitated. She was already trying not to mind the brief kiss her husband had exchanged with Melanie. She’d seen that before. There was no reason to feel jealous but...
    â€œMelanie and I were just talking about you,” Frankie said.
    Oh, I’m sure .
    She and her mother-in-law had gotten along well enough before the accident, but Emma had never cared for the regular updates Frankie gave her about Melanie’s charmed life. She’d always wondered if Melanie got the same reports about her. Not long after she and Christian divorced, Melanie had remarried. She and her husband, a respected judge in Chattanooga Criminal Court, had four children.
    â€œI have a problem,” Melanie said, “and I need help. My twins are leaving the toddler stage, becoming little girls, and their room needs a total reorganization.”
    Emma had nothing against her—she didn’t know her well, though it was hard to avoid her in such a small social group. Melanie’s smile was a bit wry, as if she recognized their awkward situation. She seemed hopeful, and maybe a bit desperate.
    But then, so was Emma. She needed all the new business she could get.
    â€œI’m sure we can give you exactly what you want, Melanie. I’d be happy to take a look at your space,” she said. “That first consultation is free.”
    â€œCould we meet tomorrow? I’m eager to get started.”
    They made arrangements for the next morning, then Emma asked Frankie if she needed help tonight. But Frankie shook her head.
    â€œMelanie has already offered,” she said.
    They went off together, arm in arm. Emma stared after them for a moment.
    She glanced around the pavilion, which was packed with guests in gowns and tuxedoes and an army of waiters with trays of extravagant hors d’oeuvres.
    Emma couldn’t eat a thing. She turned and headed for the nearest exit.
    * * *
    E MMA HURRIED ALONG the path that wound through the park. The cool evening air soothed her heated cheeks, and she forced herself to slow her pace. A few moments alone might restore her inner balance.
    He can’t tell me what to do with my wife . Had he and Lanier been discussing another divorce?
    She didn’t notice where the path had taken her until she was near the park’s merry-go-round, its painted horses and wild animals still gleaming in the darkness.
    â€œI’ve been trying to catch your eye all evening, Emma.”
    Her pulse beat faster, but she forced herself to stay still.
    â€œFinally had to follow your glow. You’re like a firefly tonight.” She turned and Max Barrett gestured at her bronze gown.
    â€œMax, I meant to return your call—”
    â€œThat would be calls,” he said with a rueful smile.
    She gazed at the horses frozen in midgallop. And remembered Owen on his favorite pony— because he looks like Daddy’s horse —the other children’s laughter, the music playing. She stared at the now-silent Wurlitzer calliope in the center.
    â€œChristian thinks it’s awful I haven’t made some arrangement with you.”
    â€œI wouldn’t say ‘awful’...” Then, backing off, Max switched to the topic that was clearly his passion. “These horses are fantastic, aren’t they? This carousel is a Gustav Dentzel frame. He was one of the early carvers in the Philadelphia style—mostly natural, realistic horses. Menagerie animals, too,” he said and pointed. “I especially like that big cat over