Chapter sixty one

“It would have,” Emma said softly, watching his wince of regret at her refusal to accept it, actually grateful when Katrina and Hugh ducked inside the

emerald canopy and broke the painful moment, because whatever Alex was trying to say it was too little, too late—even a garden full of flowers wasn’t

going to fix this.“Join us for a drink,” Hugh offered. “Alex’s just about to put Alex to bed...”

“I’ve got too much to do here.” Emma smiled as she shook her head. “But thank you for the offer.”

“I think we might have to stay over.” Katrina pretended to grimace. “Hugh’s had a couple too many champagnes to drive.”

“I’ve had one,” Hugh said, but Katrina had clearly already made up her mind.

Emma was tempted to tell her that she needn’t bother, that Alex didn’t need to be guarded on her final night here, but instead she offered her goodnights and

headed to the mountain of tools that needed to be sorted.

“You really ought to think about finishing up,” Alex called. “There’s a storm brewing and