Page 38 of Colton's Second Chance
Sasha’s eyes glittered warmly as she drew close, smiling broadly. “Noelle! So nice to finally meet you!” Both of the older woman’s hands stretched toward Noelle, but when Noelle raised her right hand to shake Sasha’s, Eli’s mother drew her into a firm hug instead. “We’ve heard so much about you!”
Noelle blinked. “You have?”
Sasha backed away to arm’s length, still holding Noelle’s shoulders and grinning. “Of course. You were the love of our oldest boy’s life for years. He spoke of little else when he came home on holidays. I’m so glad you two have been able to renew your friendship.”
“We, uh—”
Will tugged his wife’s arm. “No hogging the guest, honey.” He stuck his hand out, and Noelle took it in hers. Will pumped her hand heartily and offered his welcome.
Sasha faced her son then and gasped. “Eli, dear! What on earth happened to you?” His mother reached to touch the bandage on his forehead and scanned the other cuts on his face and hands.
“I was involved in an incident earlier today.”
“An incident?” his father echoed, his tone saying he wasn’t buying Eli’s euphemism.
“I’m fine, but… Asher is in the hospital.” Eli frowned, before continuing, “A house we were visiting as part of our investigation was rigged with a bomb. I saw it in time to warn Asher, and we both got out alive.”
“How badly was Asher hurt?” Sasha asked, her face gone pale with worry.
“No broken bones, just a concussion. Mostly he’s cut up and had a few bits of shrapnel removed from his legs and torso. He’ll be fine with a few days of rest.”
“Gracious!” Sasha put her hand to her chest and sank down on a nearby stool. “Days like this do not help me sleep at night, Eli. I worry enough about you taking on criminals without knowing you’re nearly blown up by bombs!”
Eli stepped over to hug his mother again. “I know you worry, and I’m sorry. But I swear I’m as careful as I can be.”
Noelle shifted her weight from one foot to the other. Sasha’s maternal concern was touching but also foreign to Noelle. And it left her off-balance. She faltered, feeling both hollow for what she’d been deprived of as a child and a tad jealous of Eli’s good fortune and strong bond with his mother.
Sasha shook her head and pasted on another smile. “Where are my manners? Noelle, can I get you something warm to drink? Coffee or hot tea?”
“No, thank you.”
“Whiskey or gin?” Will asked with a wink. “It’s five o’clock somewhere.”
Noelle gave a polite chuckle. “I’m fine.”
“How about you, son?” Will asked.
Eli refused a drink, as well. “On duty. I came because I need to talk to you about something important, Dad.”
Will’s gray-flecked eyebrows lifted. “Oh my. Well, sure. We can go in the house if you want privacy.”
Eli nodded. “Noelle, do you mind chatting with Mom until I get back?”
Noelle’s stomach flip-flopped. What if his mother drilled her about her past relationship with Eli? Or their current status? Or her family? Or—
Sasha hooked her arm with Noelle’s and led her toward one of the cleaner tables and chairs. “You boys go on. Noelle and I will be getting to know each other.”
Once the men exited, Sasha gave Noelle a warm but serious look. “Well, I feel like I already know you, thanks to everything Eli said about you when you were dating.”
“That’s what others have told me,” Noelle said and flashed an awkward smile.
“What I don’t know is what changed. Eli went from top of the world to a living hell. And forgive me for being blunt, dear, but I surely don’t want to see him hurt again. If we can figure out what went wrong before, maybe we can put things right now.” Sasha tipped her head as she invited Noelle to reply with a bob of her head.
“It’s a long story. A complicated one for me to explain.” Noelle chewed her bottom lip. How on earth did she give Eli’s mother any kind of understanding or resolution when she was struggling for the strength and courage to give Eli the whole picture?
Sasha remained silent, patiently waiting for Noelle to say more, to find some words. Finally, Noelle swallowed hard and offered, “I guess it boils down to…fear. I loved him, but—”
“Stop.”Sasha’s blue eyes flashed hot as she pinned a hard gaze on Noelle and raised a hand. “My dear, do not ever useI love youandbutin the same sentence. Nor should you usetrustandbuttogether. Love and trust have to be unconditional. If you could not commit to Eli fully and unconditionally, then perhaps what you felt wasn’t love at all.”
