Page 87 of Wild Child
Macabre week aside, my lips twitched.MyDevin was definitely back. In fact, he’d never really left.
“Sounds like a dream.”
He pressed a kiss into my temple. “It's going to be all right, Ellie. Everything will be all right."
24
Devin
Ten Days Later
Mom's old camo banner withGood Luck Devinscrawled across the front flapped across the entrance of the Frolicking Moose. An extra “^ and Ellie”had been added underneath the obnoxious red-white-and-blue lettering in white paint that still dripped.
The smell of charbroiled meat and barbeque sauce filled the air, along with the happy shrieks of my niece and nephews as they galloped around the parking lot. My big sister, Kendra, pretended to be annoyed with them when they asked, "Is grandpareallycooking cow brains?" She gave a heartfelt eye roll, ruffled their hair, and said, "Yes, and they're good for you."
Warm sunshine fell on my face as I surveyed the mingling crowd. Half of Pineville filled the place now with warm chatter. At my side, Ellie said, "Everyone is showing up. I didn't think there would be so many people."
Her glossy black hair shone in the sunlight and spilled down her back. The ends curled on her shoulder, covered with an emerald green shirt that so perfectly matched her eyes, I couldn't stop looking at her.
"They're showing up for you," I murmured into her temple, then planted another kiss on her. She hooked an arm around my back and pulled me into her. As if we couldgetany closer.
Ellie's gaze hovered over Lizbeth, who lingered not far away, her pregnant belly visible through her shirt. Bethany stood next to her with a bottle of water in hand, while her son galloped in and out of the coffee shop with my youngest niece. Sauce smeared their faces and shirts. Small American flags waved in their hands. Next to Bethany stood Maverick, his prosthetic leg gleaming, while Mark said something in his usual animated way.
Behind it all worked the new full-time barista and Frolicking Moose tenant—a girl named Dahlia. With tireless energy, she pumped out macchiatos like she was born to it. Her cheeks had high color, and her dark eyes were bright with amusement. Hernandez nearly choked on his coffee when Dahlia tossed a lid on his to-go cup and slid it all the way down the counter, into his awaiting hand, like a bartender. When she said something I couldn't hear, Dagny laughed until she doubled over.
The Frolicking Moose would be just fine without Ellie.
"I'm going to miss this," Ellie whispered.
Her voice caught a little bit. Ever sincethe disaster, as she called it, her emotions had been more unbound than I'd ever seen. Like she'd finally accessed them again after not giving in for years.
My fingers squeezed hers. "You don't have to—"
"Don't say it." She sent me a chilling glare. "Don't even finish it."
Unbothered by her tough display, I just laughed. "I won't. But you need to know it. You're giving up a lot to be with me."
"It's worth it."
She softened, because Ellie was never really that tough in the first place. Inside the shop waited two bags stuffed totally full, two carry-ons, and a box full of treasures she'd dug up from their old house and always carried with her. Once the barbeque ended, Maverick and Bethany would drive us to the airport in Jackson City and Ellie would fly home to North Carolina with me.
"I belong with you, Dev," she murmured. "Even if there's sadness in letting go here, I want to be with you there more. Adventurefinallyawaits."
"Yes," I whispered, and my heart wrung itself out like an old rag. "You do belong with me." I glanced at my watch with a little hiccup in my stomach. "We need to leave in ten minutes. Are you ready?"
"Yes." She smiled up at me. "I'm finally ready for you, Devin Blaine."
As if she sensed our conversation, Mom cut across the blacktop, her hair gently wafting around her shoulders as she approached. A radiant smile filled her eyes from the moment she learned that Ellie and I had finally been fully open with each other.
"Seen it for years," she'd said breezily. "I knew you'd come around. You're stubborn, like your father."
Now, she held out her arms and Ellie stepped readily into them. They embraced for a long time. Once Ellie pulled away, she returned to my side. Mom's eyes filled with tears as she looked at me.
"You are sure you're ready for this?"
"Finally," I said. "Yes."
She laughed, but it was teary. Her gaze traveled between us, then landed back on me. "You're one lucky man, Devin Blaine."
