chasing demons. ***completed***

#4 Emma

Emma and Mary got ready to head to the local bar. Emma didn't want to stay out late but she didn't want to go home to an empty house either. " Come on let's go before it gets packed. I want to order some food." Mary was excited for this girls night. Emma didn't want to spoil it so she kept her mood light.

" alright, alright. alright! I'm ready!" They jumped into the car and Emma drove away with Mary singing loudly to the radio. Emma was laughing along with Mary. it felt good to laugh. It felt like it had been a long time since she felt free. Her days were mostly filled with making sure her father and son was well taken care of and she knew she needed this break. She knew Mary needed it too.

" Kevin comes home tomorrow. I'm so nervous. it's always so hard for him when he comes back."

" I'm here for whatever you need. whenever you need a break or to vent. I will come running. " Emma reached over grabbing Mary's hand squeezing it. she knew how much he struggled coming back to his home life and how much Mary struggled getting him acclimated to having a home life.

" well tonight we let loose and let it go! tonight is all about us!"

" Emma you are my sister. you have no clue how much I need you in my life." they drove to the edge of town in silence. parking closer to the front entrance was a thing they did to keep safe. neither needed to be followed by a drunk cowboy. Emma gave Mary one more squeeze.

" let's go get a beer and some food." they made their way inside listening to the music from the juke box. " hey Gunner can we get two beers and two burgers with fries?" Emma took a seat at the bar. Mary nodded to the juke box and went straight to it picking songs out.

" you ladies out to dance tonight?" gunner brought their usual over to Emma.

" yeah, Kevin's back in town tomorrow and Mary didn't want to be alone tonight and since Xavier is with my dad all weekend we decided its perfect timing for a girls night. how is your pretty wife and baby doing?"

she could see gunner smiling. he loved talking about his wife and new baby. he was definitely a proud father. Emma couldn't help but be a little jealous of it. she had always thought she had found it in Xavier's dad until he decided it wasn't for him. " they are doing good! Casey is amazing with our little girl. sometimes I can't believe how perfect my life is. wouldn't trade it for anything. "

"who would have thought the playboy would settle down and be a dad! it looks good on you gunner. " Mary came back just in time for their food to be placed in front of them. they were about to start eating when Emma saw Paul come in the front. " crap! Paul's here. I don't want to hurt his feelings but I definitely don't feel like dealing with the 'we should date' crap either." as soon as he saw Mary and Emma sitting at the counter he smiled and made his way to them. " f**k my life Mary. " Mary shrugged her shoulders.

" just dance with him. don't let it go any further. " Emma sighed frustrated.

" no. no dancing. it only makes him think we are more than friends." Paul came up behind them placing his hand on Emma's lower back. she tensed up at his touch.

" evening Mary, Emma. how are you two doing?" Paul was easy on the eyes. he was about six foot two and his body was in great condition from working on the ranch. his hair was a sandy blonde. he wasn't a bad looking guy but Emma didn't feel anything for him and no one in this town seemed to understand that she didn't want to fall in love with just anyone. if Emma ever could let herself fall in love again it would be because she felt something.

" hey Paul, what are you doing out tonight?" Mary was smiling ear to ear with a big goofy grin. Emma knew that grin. it was her mischievous grin. she was trying to set Emma up. Emma shook her head at Mary pleadingly looking at her.

" just out to dance and eat. Emma would you like to dance?" Paul put his hand out for Emma to take. crap, she knew she was stuck.

" I guess friends can dance Paul. just one cause I am starving and want to finish this beer and burger." she half heartedly smiled at him. placing her hand in his she glared back at Mary as he led her to the dance floor. a slow song came on and he pulled her in close to him.

" how have you been?" Emma felt uncomfortable with how close he pulled her in. it was too intimate for her.

" umm good. busy with Xavier but good. how about you?" small talk was hard when she knew he was pinning for her. he wanted more than she could give.

" you smell good Emma. like roses." she pulled back a little from his embrace.

" umm thanks. " her voice was colder than she wanted it to sound but she didn't want to talk intimately with him. " I'm going to go to the bathroom and then finish my dinner. thanks for the dance Paul." she tried to pull out of his embrace.

he held her a little tighter. " Emma I was hoping you would go out with me to dinner some time. maybe we could try dating and see where it could lead." Emma pulled quickly out of his embrace. she felt bad.

" Paul listen, I'm just not wanting to date and have a relationship. I told you before I just want to be friends. I'm sorry." he looked upset with her but she didn't know what else to do. she turned away from him and walked to the bathroom to make her escape. after splashing some water on her face she decided to make her way back to Mary. she could see Paul on the dance floor with someone else in his arms as he watched her every move." thanks a lot Mary. I told you I don't want him confused. just friends. that's it. I wish this town would just leave me alone."

" I'm sorry Emma. I didn't think it would do any harm. I promise to stay out of your love life. I just don't want to see you alone anymore. not everyone is like Rory. some men are worth trying for. I just want you to get out there again."

" I know you mean well. unfortunately, not every man can be Kevin. I'm good on my own. at least I know Xavier won't be hurt if it's just us two. he is the only man in my life worth fighting for. Hey Gunner can we get another round of beers over here?" he nodded grabbing two more and placing them in front of them. Emma chugged it down quickly needing it to calm herself down.

the front door opened up and the entire bar went silent. Emma looked towards the front and gasped. " Mary! it's Kevin!" Mary jumped up stopping in place as it registered.

she went running to him jumping in his arms. " I f*****g missed you so much!" Emma watched as he pulled her close not wanting to let go. her eyes drifted to the tall handsome man who stood just off to the side of him. Emma's eyes locked on his and he gave a small smile. his hair was a dark brown and cut short. his skin was tanned from the sun and his shirt was tight showing his defined abs. he had to have been at least six foot four inches and his eyes were a light baby blue. it reminded her of the ocean waters of the Caribbean. she realized she was staring at the stranger and brought her eyes back to her food and beer. she never met anyone that took her breath away like that. even her ex-husband didn't make her feel like that. Emma took a deep breath and took a long drag of her beer.

she watched as Mary and Kevin and the stranger made their way over to Emma. "Mr. Rogers!" Emma got up embracing Kevin. " it's good to have my brother back. missed your sorry ass. whose this?" Emma pulled back lifting her hand out to the stranger near Kevin and Mary.

" my names Captain..... um... I mean Dan." he grabbed her hand holding on a little too long. Emma could feel sparks as her body heat rose. he was a beautiful specimen of a man.

" Emma, nice to meet you." Emma turned to Kevin and Mary. " so I guess you are taking over our girls night and I am no longer having a sleep over?" Emma smiled at the couple.

" oh no Emma! we are still having our sleep over. you are not wiggling out of it. there is plenty of room. plus with Xavier gone for the weekend it's not good for you to be alone." Mary hugged her and her and Kevin made their way to the dance floor. out of the corner of her eye she could see Paul staring her down. crap, Paul wasn't going to let this go.

" sit and have a beer. those two haven't seen each other in almost two years so pretty much we are both the third wheels." He laughed at her joke. Emma couldn't help but like his laugh. this man was different somehow. she motioned towards Gunner for two more beers. "so captain Dan, are you the friend staying with my Mr and Mrs. Rogers?" he laughed again making her stomach flip. she loved that laugh.

" yes ma'am. just until I fully heal. so your husband Xavier is he deployed as well?" Emma let out a little chuckle.

" well no. my son Xavier is out driving cattle in with my father and brothers this weekend." she watched him as he didn't take his eyes off his beer. " nope no husband. Rory took off when Xavier was born. stuck it out for two years after with Xavier but then decided being a dad wasn't for him." she wasn't sure why she even told this perfect stranger any of that. last thing he probably wanted was her drama. this was going to be an awkward night. A very long awkward night.