Free Emma's Treasures by Rebecca Joyce

put this mystery together,” Travis said, getting to his feet.
    “That’s all good and fine, Travis, but if ya haven’t noticed, she ain’t talkin’!” Tate said. “I have tried and so has Tuck…She refuses to tell us. But if you want to give it a go, go right ahead.”
    Travis looked at his brothers and knew what he had to do. Dialing the number, he listened to the phone ring until someone said, “Hello.”
    “It’s Travis. I need a favor.”

Chapter Six

 
    Following dinner that night, after Tabitha went to bed, the boys thought it would be best to put behind them why Emma never told them of their daughter. They needed to understand, and possibly get a lead on who was after Emma.
    Emma and Tucker were laughing as they walked out of the hallway into the spacious living room. Travis knew Emma loved this room, with its cream-colored walls and soft leather furniture. The room was warm and inviting. She curled up next to Tate, like she did every night since her last traumatic episode. Travis and Tucker watched as Tate lovingly kissed the top of Emma’s head, as she snuggled closer into him.
    Travis hadn’t been with Emma once since her return. He was still angry with her and needed answers. He joked around with Emma on a daily basis, but for some reason, he still could not bring himself to forgive her. Oh, he thought about it every waking minute, but something just wasn’t right with her. She was still holding back. He didn’t know if it was him, but if it was, he couldn’t move on till all was settled.
    Emma looked at him then, smiling beautifully as always. Travis returned the smile, but it did not reach his eyes, and Emma knew that.
    “Come sit by me, Travis,” Emma said softly as she reached her hand out to him. Unable to deny her anything, Travis took her hand and sat on the opposite side of Tate, pulling Emma back against his chest. “What’s wrong?” she asked, tilting her head back to look at him.
    Travis looked at his brothers, and then back at Emma. “It’s time you tell us why you kept Tabitha from us, Emma. We need to know,” he said and watched the color drain from her lovely face.
     
    * * * *
     
     
    Emma looked at Tate and then Tucker, who came to sit on the coffee table in front of her, conclusively blocking her in. There was no escape. The time had come. She only prayed they understood. Taking a deep breath, she began, “After the fire that killed Daddy, Momma and I left. We went to Nebraska to stay with Aunt Margaret, till Momma could get back on her feet. She was so distraught over Daddy’s death, we didn’t think she was ever gonna snap out of it. Then one morning, I started getting sick. I thought I had the flu, ’cause I would get sick damn near every hour. But as the week went by, everyone got worried, and after three days of vomiting, Aunt Margaret rushed me to the hospital. It didn’t take long for the test to come back, and then I knew.
    “I was pregnant. Aunt Margaret held my hand the whole way home, and she made me tell Momma right away. I was so scared when I told her, but she listened and eventually hugged me, telling me that everything was going to be all right. When she asked me who the father was, I didn’t think twice. I told her I didn’t know. When I mentioned your names, Momma freaked out. Started cursing, and throwing things. Aunt Margaret had to literally hold her as she soon came after me. She was calling me all these horrible names, and then before I knew it, she told me to get my stuff and get out. So I did.
    “I had no money, no car, nowhere to stay. All I had was my backpack and a baby on the way. I don’t know how long I walked for, it felt like hours, till a car came up behind me and the driver asked if I wanted a ride. With no place to go, and my feet hurting, I said sure. That was the first time I had ever hitchhiked.”
    Emma stopped to wipe her eyes. Her body was shaking uncontrollably, and Travis just held her tighter, giving her the support