Page 50 of So Right
Chapter Nine
Kelsey’s hand shook as she looked at the blaring text on her phone. She’d signed up for a text alert to be notified when Noah was released from prison. She hadn’t thought it would be this early.
“He only served twenty months. It was supposed to be thirty-six. I knew it would probably be less, but I didn’t think it would be that much.” Her phone blurred, and she swayed.
Luke’s arms caught her, and he held her by the waist. “I’ve got you.”
His voice was cool and calming. She squeezed her eyes shut for a moment.
Noah was free.
Would he try to contact her? He wasn’t supposed to, but that didn’t mean he wouldn’t try. He’d never been able to quash his impulses. She doubted twenty months in prison would’ve changed him. She hoped so—for his sake—but she never wanted to see him again.
She felt Luke’s hands on her face, his lips against her temple. She opened her eyes. And his dark gaze was full of warmth and caring. She relaxed a bit.
“Nothing’s changed here,” he said. “I still care for you. I want to be here for you—however you need.Whateveryou need.”
She leaned into him, and his arms came around her, holding her tight. “Thank you. I can’t really process this right now.” She inhaled, and his fresh, outdoorsy scent filled her senses.
He ran his hands over her back in long, soothing strokes. Her pulse slowed, and she closed her eyes again, savoring this moment. Then she stepped back. “I need to go. I’m so sorry to drag you down with my problems. I won’t blame you if you want to run far away.”
He clasped her hand and squeezed her fingers. “I won’t. And don’t trivialize this. It’s a big deal, and I get that.”
God, he was amazing. She leaned forward and kissed his cheek. “I’ll talk to you soon.”
He nodded, and she made her way up to the winery, keeping close to the building to stay under the cover. A few minutes later, she was ensconced in her car and on her way back to town.
The text had included a phone number to call if she had questions. She put her headset on and dialed the number. She wanted to know when he’d been released and whether she should expect him. Fear carved an ache in her belly, a deep, painful throb that made her want to curl into a ball.
A woman answered the phone and transferred Kelsey to someone who could help her. She was afraid she’d be stuck leaving a message and then agonizing until she received a call back. However, luck smiled on her, and a live body picked up the phone.
The clerk was very helpful. She explained that Noah wasn’t allowed to contact her and that she should notify the court if he did. His official release would happen tomorrow, and he was apparently moving back to Washington immediately where he’d be assigned to a local parole officer. They were allowing him to go back to Kennewick because his family was there, and they’d offer the best support to help with his reentry to society.
By the time she hung up the phone, Kelsey felt slightly better, but there was still a gnawing ache inside her, knowing he was out there terrified her.
Forcing herself to push through the anguish, she parked in her rented spot and hurried straight to the Knitty Gritty, where Gram was working today. She still hadn’t mastered knitting, but she was trying. She said that if she spent less time with George, she’d figure it out. Then she’d laughed. Kelsey smiled, grateful for that happy thought, and tried to think of another.
Damn, it was hard. She felt cold and heavy and completely on edge, as if the slightest thing would send her into a panic attack. She’d had a couple of those after Noah had been arrested. She’d even called his mother to apologize. Wow, had that been a colossal mistake.
She began to shake again.
Don’t think about that! Happy thoughts. The library. Gram. Luke.
And meditation.
She took in her deep, three-second breath, counted to three, and exhaled slowly for three more seconds. By the time she reached the store, she felt marginally better. At least she’d stopped shaking.
Gram sat behind the counter, her brow furrowed and her fingers clacking two needles together. She glanced up as the door swung closed, setting off the bell. “Kelsey, I’m so glad you came to rescue me from this infernal task.” She threw the needles down onto the counter and stood.
Kelsey looked around. Thankfully, the store was empty. “Gram.” Her voice sounded small and hurt, like when she’d fallen out of the walnut tree and sprained her wrist in Gram’s backyard when she was six.
Gram’s eyes widened, and she came around the counter. “You look terrified. What’s wrong?”
“Noah got out of prison.”
Gram pulled her into a massive hug, the kind that only grandmothers could give. The familiar warmth and scent cloaked Kelsey in a protective cocoon, and she thought if she could just stay here, she’d be fine.
But of course, she couldn’t.
