Page 51 of Our Lips Are Sealed
Vomit shot into her throat, and Miranda stumbled to the railing, heaving off the side porch. Ty appeared next to her, holding her when she finished. “Stay with Ben,” she cried into his shirt. “Be strong for him, Ty.”
“I promise I won’t leave him.”
Ty tensed at something out on the lawn, and peeking past him, Miranda saw paramedics wheeling a white topped gurney up from the water’s edge.
Devon.
“We need to get the babies out of here,” Ty whispered. “Send them to me when you’re ready, and I’ll get them to your car.”
Letting him go, she found Josie in the library, speaking quietly with Selah in the corner.
Miranda joined them, hugging the boy. “Selah, I want you to take the children onto the porch. Uncle Ty is going to help us load up my van to go to Parkland Grounds.”
Selah’s bottom lip quivered. He was being strong for the others, but that strength could only last so long. “Is my mom okay?”
“She’s alright,” Miranda told him, hoping he didn’t ask anything further. “Abe is hurt, and she’s taking him to the hospital. Annabeth is with her, and we’ll see them soon.”
Selah left it alone and went to the couch to pick up Jamison and take CeCe’s hand. “I’ll need help with Evie.”
“We’ll take care of her,” Miranda replied, lowering to the girl’s eye level. The blankness in her stare was terrifying. “Toby, go with Josie. Evie will be right behind you.”
Toby initially refused, but Josie convinced him with a few soothing words, like Laura Jean would have done, taking him outside.
Samuel stayed behind, coming to stand with her as she attempted to get Evie off the couch. The poor thing wouldn’t budge and was as lost to them as Ben.
“We’re going to take a car ride and go to Parkland Grounds,” Miranda tried telling her. “It will only be for a few nights, and then we’ll come home.”
Evie remained motionless, dead weight on the couch. Miranda’s strength wasn’t what it used to be, and she thought she might have to get Ty to come in and carry the girl.
“Can I try?” Samuel asked. “I won’t hurt her.”
“I know you won’t, baby.”
Miranda moved out of his way and waited as Samuel raised a finger to rub a spot between Evie’s eyebrows. It was a move she’d seen Laura Jean do countless times to her daughters.
“Evangeline?” Samuel whispered. “Can you hear me?”
Seeing him handle her in such a delicate way made Miranda’s heart hurt. Deep down, Samuel had a kind soul, but he seldom let it show.
Especially to Evie.
He continued to talk, telling her of the things he had at Parkland Grounds. “I got the new Zelda game. We can play it tomorrow.”
Ever so slowly, Evie’s shallow breathing evened out. “Sammy?”
“We’re going to my house,” he told her, taking her hands. “You’re coming to stay with me.”
Evie’s eyes wandered over his face, seeking answers. “Mama?” she whimpered, the tears rolling down her freckled cheeks. “Sammy, where’s my mom?”
“It’s time to go, Evangeline.” Fighting his own tears, Samuel helped her rise on skinny legs that threatened to buckle when she tried to walk. “I’m going to take care of you now.”
Miranda went to help, but her son shook his head, bundling Evie at his side. “Mom, it’s okay,” he said, leading them from the room. “I’ve got her.”
Chapter 13
Liamcouldn’tcomprehendhowthe noise currently filling the dark hotel was human and not a bear in the final throes of death.
Or maybe it was a moose.
