Page 30 of Ms Perfectly Fine
He still couldn’t get through. He thought of the friend he’d seen picking Autumn up, but he didn’t have her number. He tried ringing Tim. No answer. He pulled on his coat and went to the car. Brinkley was already secured in the back seat with her cushioned bed beneath her.
“Sorry, Mum. I’ll come back next week,” he promised.
“Is there anything I can do?” she asked. He could tell she was trying to conceal her disappointment.
“It’s probably nothing,” he said, not wanting her to worry even if his heart was hammering. “I’ll let you know when I’m home.”
Elijah drove back faster than he should have, unable to stop his mind from racing. Had the house been broken into?They often were after moving vans were seen.
Thankfully, he made it to their street without getting stopped for speeding. As he slowed, he noticed a car outside at the gate with its lights off, though the brake lights gave away that someone was in the car. Elijah tried to get a better look, getting close enough to make out the registration before the headlights turned on and the car pulled away from the curb, cutting him off.
It could have just been someone who was lost,he told himself, parking a little down the street, but a sinking feeling settled in his gut. Something felt off.
“Stay here, girl. I’ll be back in a few minutes,” he said, leaving the windows open a crack. He locked the car with Brinkley inside; not knowing what he was walking into, he didn’t want to add another variable or risk her getting hurt. Opening the front gate, he saw the lights were on and there was no sign of immediate trouble. He hurried up the path anyway, eager to get inside and make sure Autumn was safe.
Chapter Ten
Autumn
AUTUMN NODDED ALONG to the music she was blasting in the kitchen when, suddenly, she thought she heard a voice. Turning it down, she realised it was Elijah. Dumbfounded by his sudden appearance, she stared at him as he stood panting in the doorway.
“Are you okay?” he demanded.
She realised she was still tipping the salt into her leek and potato soup. She groaned, placing it on the counter.
“I’m fine. Although I did just put way too much salt into my soup—you frightened me coming in like that!” she said, turning to the saucepan, wondering if she could salvage it.
“You’re fine?” He sighed out the words.
“Why wouldn’t I be fine?” Why was he so panicked?
“Why didn’t you answer your phone?” He looked her over, inspecting every inch. She felt awkward in her sweatpants and Taylor Swift Reputation tour T-shirt—her favourite meal prep outfit. It was also her favourite outfit on moderate pain days because she could leave her sweatpants low on her hips for maximum skin exposure to her heat blanket and ice packs.
“It’s charging. I had the stereo on. I thought you weren’t coming back until tomorrow?” It was very late to be driving.
“But you were crying? I thought something had happened?” he asked, closing the gap between them. He stared into her eyes as if checking for any trace of tears.
“Crying? Not today, anyway—you were away, so I had no reason to.” She tried to make light of the situation, but he glared at her.
“You called me and I heard you crying. I thought something had happened, so I drove like a madman to get back here because you wouldn’t pick up the phone.”
“I didn’t call you…it must have been someone else,” she said, confused. “I’m sorry to tell you, but you aren’t exactly the first person I would call if I was.”
He muttered something under his breath, running his hands through his hair. Then she remembered Nina had been crying first when she came over, and then before she’d left because Garrett had finally called her to apologise.
“I think it was a misdial. Nina was over—”
Elijah shook his head. “Don’t worry about it,” he said, clearly relieved. “I saw someone pull away from the house when I drove up. Must have been her.”
“Oh, Nina left about an hour ago. But this is a main street; someone probably got the wrong house.” She thought about the rose and the mystery knocker, and suddenly, she was relieved she wouldn’t have to spend the night alone in the house. She wondered if she should tell Elijah, but he already looked stressed enough.
“Forget it. It’s fine.” Elijah rubbed his eyes.
Guilt made Autumn fidget. She felt bad that he had rushed back so late because of a misunderstanding, but she didn’t know why he was so worried about her. It wasn’t like they were close. Still, seeing him so concerned warmed her heart.Anyone else probably would have hung up and continued with their day.She shifted nervously, not knowing what to say.
“Have you eaten? The soup is almost ready,” she said, trying to mend fences, but he seemed distracted.
“No thanks. I’ll be back in a while. I have to get something from the car.” He left without another word.
