Chapter 1

It was the middle of the afternoon, Wade was cleaning the counter of his bar when a little blonde girl came in. He found out that strange because when kids came to the Rammer Jammer they were with their parents, not alone. She sat down on one of the stools and her backpack beside her, she smiled at him. He didn't see her before but somehow she looked familiar. He walked toward her.

"You know it's not a place for little girl like you, young miss." He said.

"A man named Dash, I think, said I will find the person I'm looking for here."

"You're not from here, don't you ?"

"No." she said shaking her head. "Can I have a drink ? I'm thirsty."

"Where are your parents ?"

"I can pay." She said getting out money from her bag. Wade giggled and sighed.

"What do you want ?"

"A grenadine sirup with a straw."

"Alright." He said. He poured her drink and put it in front of her. "Now, you're going answer my questions. Who are you looking for ?"

"I think it's you." She answered pointing him.

"Me ?"

"You're Wade Kinsella, right ?"

"Yep, it's me. And who are you ?"

"My name is Emma."

"How old are you ?"

"I'm nine, almost ten."

"Where do you come from ?"

"From the north."

"I can see that. You don't look that you're from Mexico." He said as she laughed.

"You're funny."

"Where are your parents ?"

"My mum is probably at work." She said finishing her drink.

"And your dad ?"

She looked at him and said. "He is in front of me." Wade frowned.

"What ?"

"I'm from New York."

It became clearer in Wade's head, why she looked so familiar. She had the same hazel eyes as her.

"Wanda, can you cover for me ?" He said and turned to Emma. "Come with me." He took her hand and led her outside.

"I didn't pay."

"On the house." He sat her down on one of Town Square benches and squatted in front of her. He took a deep breath. "What's your mum's name ?"

"Zoe."

"Just for checking." He said as he sat down beside her. "Does she know you're here ?"

"No."

"She is probably worry sick about you."

"I don't think so. Recently all she thinks about is her work and her divorce. She probably doesn't notice I'm gone."

"I'm sure it's not true." He paused. "How did you find me ?"

"I've always known that Joel wasn't my dad, she didn't hide from me. Joel is my mum's husband or almost ex-husband. Anyway, I asked her many times to tell who my dad was but she didn't answer and said you didn't know about me. Then, I wondered myself about you more often since Joel left. Plus, I had this assignment from school. I had to complete a family tree and I realized I could complete one side of the tree." She started crying.

"Hey. Don't cry, alright." Wade said sweetly, wiped her tears as she nodded.

"Since my mum didn't want to answered, so I searched by myself. I rummaged through her office and I found a file. A file with my birth certificate and a letter for me if something would happen to her."

"You're a smart one." Wade said as she smiled.

"I have it if you want to read." Emma continued getting out an envelop from her bag and held it to him.

"Thanks but no. It's yours."

"It says who you are and where you live. It's how I found you."

"How did you come here ?"

"I took the bus."

"From New York, all by yourself ?"

"Yes. I can't take a plane without my mum's approval."

"How did you get the money ?"

"I took the emergency money in the house."

"You are really smart. But we have to let know your mum."

"No." She argued.

"Yes." Wade said resolutely as he caught a sight of George and Tansy walking on the street. "Stay there. Don't move." He added as she nodded. He walked toward them. "Tucker, I need to talk to you."

"Okay."

"Tans' can you watch her ?" He asked pointing the little girl.

"Who is she ?"

"Please, don't ask anything to me or her. I just can tell you that her name is Emma."

"Okay, this is weird." Tansy said walking toward Emma.

"What's up ?" George asked when Tansy sat down next to the blonde girl.

"I don't know if I will need a lawyer in the future this is why I'm telling you."

"What did you do this time ?"

"You know I settled down a long time ago."

"Sorry."

"Apparently Emma is my daughter." Wade stated as George put a big surprise look on his face.

"What ? I can't say I'm surprised knowing your past."

"You do look surprised and she is not the child of one of my lady's friends."

"What do you mean ?"

"I mean she is almost ten years old and she is from New York." Wade stated and George's face dropped.

"You're not telling me it's Zoe Hart's child."

"And mine."

"Does Zoe know she is here ?"

"No. She took the bus from New York, alone."

"Are you serious ? Some kids are fearless. You have to call her."

"I know. Have you her number ?"

"Are you kidding me ? Ten years ago I promised myself I won't get involve in any way with Zoe Hart. She almost ruined my life."

"She turned mine upside down too and it looks it's about to start again."

"Get involve in Emma's live doesn't mean get involve in hers."

"She is her mother, George. If I want to be a part in Emma's life I will have to deal with the crazy doctor."

"Maybe she changed."

"Maybe." Wade paused. "But I have to let you know that Emma searched by herself to find me. She asked her and she didn't answered." They stayed in silence for a minute.

"Are you okay ?" George finally asked.

"I don't know. Things are about to change and I don't know if it's gonna be good or not and it's not just about me anymore."

"You can count on me, you know that ?"

"Yeah. Thanks Tuck'. I'm gonna go to Lavon's if he knows how to contact her." he said giving him a tap on the back. They walked toward the bench.

"Wade, this girl is adorable." Tansy complimented.

"Yeah." He responded with a smile and turned to Emma. "So you met Tansy."

"She is nice."

"This is George Tucker, her husband." Wade said pointing George.

"Hi." She greeted him.

"It's nice to meet you Emma." George said handing his hand.

"Me too. I know your name. I saw it when I rummaged through my mum's files."

"Well, I'm a lawyer. It was probably some papers we dealt together when she lived here."

"I'm sorry to break your moment but what's going on ?" Tansy said with a confuse look.

"You can explain to her Tucker, but keep your voice down. I don't want the whole town knows about it." Wade said.

"Alright." George nodded.

"Emma take your stuff, I'll take you somewhere." Wade stated handing his hand.

"Where are we going ?" She asked putting his bag on her back and taking Wade's hand.

"The Mayor's plantation. There is someone you should meet."

"The Mayor, great." She said turning around. "Bye Tansy. Bye George."

"Bye Emma" Tansy said waving her with a sweet smile.

"Bye." George completed. "Good luck Wade."

"Thanks man."