Full Bloom

The Oregon skies still leaked rain as she slid into her small compact. It was probably wet all the way from here to Seattle, she thought. It was going to be a long drive.
    Emily sat behind the wheel for a moment, composing herself. It was hard to tell which of the fierce emotions raging within her was dominant. Humiliation mixed with fury was a powerful combination.
    But by far the harshest emotion she was experiencing was generated by the realization that after all this time she still loved Jacob Stone. That fact jolted her far more terribly than anything she had heard on the tape that damned Morrell.
    Emily had been so sure she had shed her hopeless passion for Jacob along with so many of the other naive dreams she had entertained in the past. So sure she had finally grown up. But apparently part of her was destined to remain naive forever.
    She wanted to dash off into the safety of the night, but common sense told her she had to calm down a little before she turned the key in the ignition.

    A shocked silence enveloped Gifford Ravenscroft's study as the door closed behind Emily. Jacob Stone half smiled at the expressions on the faces of the remaining family members as they stared, speechless, at the door. It was clearly the first time Emily had walked out on her family in the midst of an argument. Possibly the first time anyone had ever walked out on a Ravenscroft during a discussion of any kind.
    He felt a surge of fierce, hot pride in Emily. His lady had guts. She had gone through some major changes since he had last seen her: She had come into her own. Those changes might make all the difference now. For the first time, he knew for certain he had been right to return to the States.
    It was time at last to claim his woman. Jacob unfolded his arms and moved out of the shadows.
    "What the devil has gotten into her?" Gifford fumed. "She's never acted like this before in her life."
    Catherine shook her head. "I can't believe she just listened to that tape and than calmly walked out of here."
    Drake said nothing but his eyes had a thoughtful expression.
    Jacob moved silently toward the door.
    "Where are you going, Stone?" Gifford demanded.
    "I'm going to drive her back to Seattle." He didn't wait for the stunned reaction to that statement. Jacob opened the door and went through, closing it behind him as quietly as Emily had done a moment earlier.
    He strode quickly through the hall and out onto the graceful veranda that surrounded the first level of the house. He was in time. Emily's compact little station wagon was still sitting in the driveway. He loped down the steps and over to the vehicle, reaching it just as Emily leaned forward to twist the key in the ignition. Jacob opened the door.
    "I'll drive," he said.
    She turned a startled face up to him, her amber eyes widening in the faint light from the veranda. "You'll what?"
    "I said I'll drive." He eased in beside her, forcing her gently into the other seat. He had to move swiftly, before she could gather her senses and start thinking. "Fasten your seat belt." It always amazed him how easily people would follow clear orders when they were totally confused and upset. Emily automatically reached for her belt. Jacob was already buckling his own and switching on the engine.
    "What do you think you're doing, Mr. Stone?"
    "A favor." He wheeled the little car out of the drive, not bothering to glance back at the lighted veranda to see if the rest of the Ravenscrofts were watching. "I'm going to drive you home."
    "As my mother pointed out, home is two hundred miles away, and I don't need any more favors from you. You've done enough for me. I'm sure you'll understand if I don't thank you for all your hard work. Stop this car and get out."
    But she was sitting stiffly in the seat, her hands in her lap, and Jacob knew now she was not going to try anything foolish such as leaping out of the car. He kept his attention on the rain-slick street that wound down the hillside and spoke calmly.
    "You handled them very well this time, Emily. I was proud of you."
    "Do you think I care about your opinion?" she asked tightly.
    "Probably not." Jacob glanced sideways. She was staring out the windshield, her gentle profile illuminated by the streetlights. Emily was the youngest and definitely the softest of the Ravenscroft clan, but she had the distinctive family features.
    Her jet-black hair swung just above her shoulders in a smooth, shining mass. Her wide, amber eyes, framed by soft