Page 91 of Whispers of Helena
She stands abruptly, grabbing her beer and storming toward the kitchen. Eli and I scramble after her, hearing the clink of her bottle hit the bin.
She yanks the fridge open, grabs another beer, then struggles with the cap before shoving it at Eli. He twists it off without a word.
“Ruth, listen,” I start. “I know this is a lot to ask, and I know it’s not exactly in your comfort zone?—”
She lets out a loud, sarcastic laugh.
“—but I just got everything back,” I continue. “My family,my home, mywife.The men on that ranch deserve to work for someone like your brother,notBennett. And if you help me, I’ll owe you.Big.”
Ruth sighs dramatically, setting her beer on the counter before bracing her hands on the edge. She tips her head back, muttering something to the ceiling. Probably a prayer for patience, then exhales hard.
“How big are we talking?”
I don’t hesitate. “A hot tub on your patio big.”
Her fingers drum against the counter.
Then she sighs. “Damn it, Silas.”
“So you’ll help us?” Eli asks, hopeful.
Ruth takes a long pull from her beer, considering. Then, finally, she levels me with a stare.
“Yeah,” she mutters. “I’ll help you.”
Visitors
Helena
Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be courageous; be strong.
1 Corinthians 16:13
Kiranand I are hunched over the coffee table, carefully working on a puzzle. He furrows his brow, tongue peeking out in concentration as he twists a puzzle piece in his small hands, determined to make it fit.
The back door swings open, and the familiar sound of boots against the wood floor fills the house. Kiran barely acknowledges it, too focused on his task, but I glance up, immediately clocking the two men as they step inside. There’s something about the way they carry themselves, like boys caught sneaking in past curfew.
I push myself up from the couch and make my way to the kitchen, leaning against the doorway with my arms crossed. “And just where have the two of you been?”
Silas meets me halfway, placing a kiss against my hair. “Ruth’s going to help with the will.”
Eli grins. “She wasn’t happy with our idea, but Silas convinced her.”
I glance at Silas. “So you really think this will all work?”
“I do. I doubt they’ll even come looking for it. But if they do, it will be in the safe.”
My gaze searches his, looking for any crack in his confidence. “It’s a lot of money, Silas. If Everly has that to throw around, he can afford the help to get what he wants.”
His fingers trail down, hooking under my chin and tilting my face up until I have no choice but to meet his unwavering eyes. “This is our home, love. You can’t put a price on that. It will be protected.”
The comfort of his words settles deep in my chest. I exhale slowly, wrapping my fingers around his wrist, grounding myself in him. “Okay.”
He studies me for a moment longer, voice dropping to something softer. “Trust me?”
I squeeze his hand. “Yeah, I trust you.”
A small smile tugs at the corner of his mouth. “I love you.”
