Page 99 of Wildflower and Whiskey
Elyna listened quietly. “Did Riley say anything about us?”
Becket hesitated. “He asked if you were safe. It’s ironic, I know.”
She blinked hard. “That’s all? He didn’t apologize or feel guilty for endangering his son’s life?”
“That’s all,” Becket repeated gently. “I’m sorry, Elyna.”
It didn’t sound like enough, but maybe that was the point.
Later that afternoon,Dad called again, he asked me to put Elyna on speaker. “Elyna, I have Colette here in my office,” he said.
Elyna’s breath hitched. “Riley’s mom?”
“Oui, she came to speak to Riley. She isn’t condoning his behavior or offering him help. She came down on him hard in front of everyone.”
“Dad,” I cut in. What was he trying to do? He may have known Colette Jansen for decades, but defending her right now was over-the-top.
“She wants to see Elyna. She offered to see her at the station so Elyna would feel comfortable.”
Elyna glanced at me; eyes wide. “I should see her.”
“Do you want me there?”
“Yeah,” she said. “Please.”
“I think we should leave Braden at the main house. I can see if Becket or Asher are home. I don’t think he needs to see the inside of a police station,” I said.
Elyna smiled and hugged me. “Thank you for loving him.”
“I love you both, and I’ll protect you both until my last breath,” I promised.
She released me, but the way she looked at me did things to my heart I never knew existed. We got Braden ready and dropped him at the main house with both of my brothers. Then we got in my truck and drove to the station.
Colette Jansen looked tired and worn out. Her eyes were rimmed red and her hands clasped tight around her purse. Elyna stood straight beside me. Dad was standing off to the side. He blinked to me and nodded a small sign that Colette was safe. That he approved of this meeting.
“Elyna,” Colette said softly, voice trembling. “I wasn’t sure you’d want to see me.”
“I wasn’t sure either,” Elyna admitted.
Colette nodded, tears spilling before she could stop them. “I came to say I’m sorry. For what my son did. For all of it. I didn’t raise him to be that kind of man. I didn’t know what he was up to. He didn’t tell me. All I knew was, I wanted to see my grandchild and he said he’d help.”
Elyna’s throat bobbed. “I don’t know what to say to that.”
“I don’t expect forgiveness,” Colette said. “But I wanted you to hear I’m sorry and I want to do better for Braden, even if it’s too late. If it’s all right, I’d like to know my grandson. Not to take anything from you. Just to love him the way his father didn’t know how. After his father died, things spun out of control for Riley. He was always a smart boy but he became more drawn to trouble.”
“I may know a thing or two about that. I made some bad choices after my mom died,” Elyna confessed.
“Dear, I’m sorry about what I said about your mom when I came into the restaurant. I shouldn’t have confronted you that way. I was hurting for reasons of my own and I lashed out. I truly am sorry. Whatever happened in the past I’d like to keep it there,” Colette said, and she seemed sincere.
“You can see him,” Elyna said quietly. “But we take it slow. I need to trust it’s good for him, and I don’t want you smoking cigarettes around him. That isn’t healthy for him.”
Colette winced and her cheeks flushed red. “Sorry, I should’ve known better. I was too busy drowning in my ownsorrow, but I’m done feeling sorry for myself. I want to do right by Braden.”
Elyna nodded and swiped at some tears that streaked her cheeks. The moment felt fragile, healing something neither of these women had expected. Colette stayed only a few minutes more at the station before thanking us both and leaving. After she left, Dad looked at us and nodded.
“I’ll be in my office,” he said and turned away. His peacekeeping job was clearly complete.
“You okay?” I asked Elyna.
