Chapter 9
Despite all her intentions to start sleeping in once Fiona left for college, years of habit had Emerson rising early for that first cup of coffee on the back deck, knowing it was the only stretch of the day she could reliably get quiet outside the recording booth with her talky teen in residence. She felt a snap in the air as she stepped out, mug clutched in her hands. Autumn was coming, and she couldn’t wait. While Mooch raced down to the yard to do his business, she moved to the rail on Caleb’s side, also out of long habit. How many mornings had she found him out there, too, enjoying the calm before he headed in to work? She wondered now if that was his own preference or if he’d done it hoping to see her.
He’d gone home alone last night, their plans having been ruined yet aga
