Page 34 of Until Kendal
I took his hand and grabbed the wine, and he carried the beer as we walked in like we were a real couple. As we made it to the front door, he slowed down. I quickly said, “The Maysons are pretty close-knit around here. And Ellie and Jax are both great people.”
We rang the bell, but the door was open. I glanced around, but we stayed as we were. Then he asked, “What do you know about them and Hope?”
I pressed into him for a side hug. “They consider her their oldest daughter. She has three little brothers, Jasper, Edward, and Toby. And she is friends with her cousins.”
We were waved in and headed out to the backyard, where Maysons were everywhere. Joel stayed close as he said, “It has a warm feeling, the house. Much nicer than the investigator's photos I had.” We walked closer, then he directed my attention toward a tree. “There she is, curled into the older lady’s arm.”
I peered in that direction as we put the wine and beer on the drinks table. “That’s Lilly, her grandmother. They’re close. How did you pick her out so fast?”
He stilled. “She looks like my sister, Bonnie.”
We headed over to Ellie as Jax was working the grill, so I asked, “What was Bonnie like?”
He rubbed my side like he needed me close. “She was levelheaded and never judged me. She’d told me once that my interest in computers was my ticket out. I used to wish I could have taken her with me into my new life.”
Ellie waved for Hope, who jogged over to us. “Joel, Hope is excited to meet you.”
“Hey.” The young girl jumped up and down as she waved. She stood in front of Ellie, a huge grin on her face. “Mom said you’re my uncle.”
Joel went down on one knee and handed her his business card. Then he said, “If you ever need me, I’m a phone call away.”
She blinked. “What would I need you for?”
I covered my lips. Joel winced. “Whatever you think of.’
She lowered her head. “I heard you talking about my first mom at the door.”
Joel asked, “Yeah?”
She took Ellie’s hand. “Sometimes I wish I was calm like how she sounded.”
Joel stood. “Your mom is shining down on you every day.”
No one said anything for a moment. Hope broke the silence when she said, “Well, I’m going to go play.”
We all watched her patter off to play with the other children, but then Ellie asked him, “How did you feel, Joel?”
Joel took my hand. “Like pressure around my heart was lifted. I wish I’d looked for her and you much sooner.”
Ellie shrugged like it wasn’t a big deal. “We were all living our lives. I was nineteen when she was given to me, and you were barely fourteen. What matters is you’re here now for her.”
He also gave her a business card. “And you. If any of you need anything from New York, even if it’s just access to a video game, let me know. Or even something more serious. I have money, and I take my responsibilities seriously and will do whatever I have to when protecting those I love.”
My skin buzzed. Using him was wrong. He would hate me because he’d never been anything other than wonderful. I lifted my chin and wished I was able to give him my heart. I didn't have one to offer though.
Ellie said, “I’m sure Kendal and her mom won’t have any problems with her father then.”
He gazed at me, and clearly, he was puzzled. “Exactly.”
My skin electrified. I wasn’t sure what to say now. I hadn’t explained. So I dropped his hand and headed to the appetizers. My past shouldn’t matter.
ChapterTwenty-Five
Joel
Today was surreal. Hope had more of my sister in her than I'd expected. And seeing her interact with the Maysons showed how much she was loved here. She was in good hands with Ellie, and clearly, she had a great family.
It seemed we’d both lucked out. However, Kendal was distracted even now as we returned to the hotel. I didn’t press her. I wanted her to tell me the problem.
