Page 87 of Killer Blonde
“I’ll go check.”
Irenna walked into the front room where we were still standing a second later.
“Silas!” Irenna said excitedly. “Mom, it’s Silas.” There was no need for her to yell it over her shoulder because Elaine was already walking up behind her.
They both moved in as one, for a hug I assumed.
And I also guessed that they hadn’t noticed that I was there hiding behind him like some kind of weirdo.
“Hey, mom. Hey, sis,” Silas said and it was at that moment they both caught on that I was there. It could have been because Silas suddenly took a half-step to the side putting the spotlight right on me. “I brought you something.”
Elaine’s eyes quickly flooded with tears.
It was like she instantly knew it was me even though many years had gone by since the last time she saw me. I was anything but that little girl she knew but it was like she looked into my soul and had recognized the deeper parts of me.
And then she was pushing her son out of the way to pull me in for a tight hug.
“You’ve come home,” she said in a choked-up voice. It almost sounded like she couldn’t believe it was really me.
“Jessie,” Irenna said and then she joined the hug party.
I was crying. Yep, big fat tears were just sliding right down my face.
“How…” Irenna said as she finally pulled away to look at her brother.
“How doesn’t matter,” their mom quickly said as her hand ran over my hair before she wiped my tears away. “The only thing that matters is that she’s here now.”
Elaine pulled me into another hug. It was tight and warm and motherly. Basically, everything I need and wanted. I melted into her as she whispered into my ear telling me how happy she was to finally have me back where I belonged. She promised to never let anything happen to me ever again. And while I knew that wasn’t something that she could keep no matter how much she wanted to, I let myself believe those words. It was the love behind the promise that warmed me. That made me feel like everything would be alright no matter what.
The hug went on forever and I didn’t try to pull away. It wasn’t until Irenna elbowed Elaine out of the way and making a point to tell her mother not to suffocate me. Then Irenna was throwing her arms around me and hugging me tightly.
“Okay, come on, there are people to meet,” Elaine said as she pulled her daughter away and took my hand.
The three of us might have been wiping at our faces trying to rid the evidence of the tears.
I kind of loved the way that Elaine took control of the situation and made me feel not only as if I belonged here, but also like I was already a part of everything. Like I was supposed to be here.
I locked eyes with Silas as his mom pulled me further into the house. The damn fool was silently chuckling at the whole thing but at least he was coming along with me.
I met everyone. Likeeveryone. Phil, the husband. Peter and Jonas, the kids. Neighbors. Co-workers. Ted, the guy who made the cake— who I could tell had eyes for Elaine right away.
So many people.
Though I felt a little overwhelmed and flooded with emotions, I found myself relaxing. The next few hours flew by with laughter and a few tears but it didn’t get too heavy. Which was what I needed. It was actually kind of perfect.
And just like he’d promised, Silas never left my side.
-33-
Silas
“What’s wrong with your shoulder?” Mom asked me the moment she got me somewhat alone. I still had eyes on Jessica and it wouldn’t take me but a couple of long strides to get to her if she needed me.
“Nothing, I’m fine,” I told her trying to brush the whole thing off.
“Don’t lie to me, Silas James Newman.”
Jesus, thirty-six and the full name thing still sent a shiver down my spine.
