Lost and Found Family Read Online Free Page B

hour’s up. Check’s written. I already told Mom we’re leaving.”
    Emma tensed. “You go on home. I brought my car, remember?”
    â€œLeave it. I’ll drop you here in the morning before work.”
    Max didn’t speak. Emma gave the black-and-white horse, his large eyes shining like ebony, a last look. Then she blindly turned from the merry-go-round. In daylight there would be that familiar music again, the clanging of the bell, the laughter...
    She could hardly speak. “Good night, Max.”
    â€œâ€™Night, Emma. Christian.” But then, before she took a step, his voice stopped her. “Do you know what they say about these carousel horses?”
    Emma didn’t know. She couldn’t think at all, just then.
    â€œThere’s an old saying among carvers,” he said. His tone gentled, as if he wasn’t sure she would like the story. “In the winter the ponies go to sleep—all winter long—but when spring finally arrives, they come back to life again.”
    Emma blinked. He was telling her to hope. That life could be good once more, if different, that she might even be forgiven.
    But for Emma her guilt was now, and ever-present.
    And spring seemed very far away.

CHAPTER THREE
    B Y THE NEXT DAY , Emma had pulled herself together enough to meet with Melanie Simmons. She wanted this new client as much as Melanie wanted her help, and like Frankie, Melanie had connections. They met at the Simmons’s house for a walk-through, then drove to Bluewater Grille, a favorite local restaurant.
    Once they’d ordered, Melanie leaned forward, clasping her hands and resting her forearms on the table. “I’m told no one does exactly what you do,” she said, and Emma felt her competitive spirit kick in.
    â€œActually, I’m part household organizer, part shrink. It’s a matter of my asking the right questions rather than answering them.”
    â€œMore than one person has told me how well you get to the heart of things.” Melanie’s eyes sparkled. “You remember Anna Carstairs’s garage? Edie Van Kamp’s family room?”
    â€œYes, of course.” Both had been hard-to-please clients—like Mrs. Belkin. Edie was another friend of Frankie’s, and she suspected curiosity had brought Anna to her. “I hope they were satisfied with my work.”
    To her surprise Melanie said, “That’s why I’m here.”
    Emma leaned back as their food was put on the table.
    â€œI’m so glad we were able to meet this morning. You were right. Your storage needs are out of control.”
    â€œFour growing children keep me busy.”
    Two boys—eight and six—and twin girls, who, for Emma, would be the hardest part of the job because of their age.
    â€œYour boys’ rooms have adequate storage,” she said, “for their action figures, trucks and cars and books.” Optimus Prime. The Vindicator. “But the girls need cabinets and bins so everything isn’t scattered around or lost.”
    â€œThree-year-olds drop toys everywhere,” Melanie agreed. “They leave clothes wherever they land.”
    Yes. I know. Emma took a bite of the shrimp she’d ordered. She wanted to enjoy her meal, not envy Melanie her healthy, happy children. But the delicious food had no taste.
    She waited until her voice sounded steady. “Your girls are typical of that age. Let me show you what I’m thinking.” She leaned down to pull the sketches she’d made from her bag. “Their room is a good size. I love this arched window with the built-in seat, but in addition to more storage the twins will need a clear area for play.”
    She let Melanie study the drawings.
    When she’d finished Emma said, “You have a beautiful home. Together we can polish the girls’ room to perfection.” She added, “The first step will be sorting. One pile to keep, another to give