Page 54 of Colton's Second Chance
Noelle waved him out, grinning her reassurance. “I’ll be out soon. I want to help, though. Shoo!”
He leaned in to kiss her cheek—an action that didn’t go unnoticed by his mother or sister—then caught his mother’s hand and dragged her to the door. “Mom, you should not be on the cleanup team. It’s your birthday, for Pete’s sake. Come out here and howl at the moon with me.”
Once Eli and Sasha had disappeared outside, Noelle took up a position beside Lakin, armed with a towel, and began drying the pans. She worked in silence for a moment, dredging up the nerve to address the topic that had nagged her since meeting Lakin earlier that evening.
Eli had made his point about the diversity in the Colton family and the loving welcome they’d extended the Amos siblings from the earliest days of their acquaintance. But Noelle still had specific doubts and a burning curiosity that only Lakin could resolve. She cast a side glance to Eli’s younger sister. “Lakin, can I ask you a question?”
“You mean two questions?” Lakin shot her a teasing grin. “Because you just asked one.”
Noelle chuckled. “Two then.” She curled her bottom lip in as she dried a pot and mulled how to word her question.
When she didn’t ask anything for a full minute, Lakin smiled and said, “Yes, Eli is every bit as nice as he seems. He was a typical big brother, giving me guff at times, but he was protective and funny and good to me, too. He’s a great guy.”
Noelle blinked at Lakin and frowned. “No. I mean…yes, I agree. And that’s all good to hear, but that’s not…” She cleared her throat and blurted, “What was it like being adopted by theColtons? Did you always feel accepted and loved and…like you were really part of the family?”
Lakin’s face grew serious, and her brow furrowed. She turned off the water and rested her hands on the edge of the sink as she angled her body to face Noelle more fully, her entire focus on Noelle. “Yes. Absolutely. They adopted me when I was three, and I have never felt anything but loved and safe and included. I am every bit a part of the family in every way. I was never treated as anything but a full member of the Coltons. In fact, Mom and Dad went so far as to tell me I was extra special, because I was the youngest, their only girl, and because theychose me.” Now her cheek twitched in amusement. “A fact they told me to keep as my special secret so that the boys weren’t jealous. But I heard Mom telling the boys reasons why they were extra special when she’d tell them good night, too. Eli was the oldest and most responsible. Mitchell because he knew his own mind and had the courage to follow his own path. Parker because he had a wild energy and passion for the outdoors that made him an asset to the family business.” She heaved a contented sigh, her eyes reflecting the same joy as her smile. “They’re great parents, and I’ve never had one doubt they loved me.”
Noelle forced a smile to her face for Lakin’s sake, but despite her best efforts, tears burned her sinuses. Before she could rein in her tears, one bloomed and seeped through her lower lashes.
Lakin put a sudsy hand on Noelle’s arm. “Hey, what’s wrong? Oh my gosh. Did I say something I shouldn’t have?”
Noelle dried her eyes quickly and took a breath to regain her composure. “It’s nothing you said. I’m…so happy to know you were well loved.”
Lakin paused. “Wait. Kansas told me tonight that you are the sister of one of the Fiancée Killer’s victims. All the victims have been white.”
Noelle pressed her mouth in a taut line and nodded. She hesitated only a moment before confessing, “I was adopted. My mileage, so to speak, with the Harris family varied from yours. After I left for college, I saw no reason to go back to Anchorage. The Harrises were never a real home for me.”
Lakin’s face crumpled in sympathy. “Oh, Noelle! I’m so sorry. Geez, and here I was gushing about how great the Coltons are to me.” She wrinkled her nose in regret. “Forgive me.”
Noelle shook her head vehemently. “No, you did nothing wrong. I asked, after all, and I wanted the truth. I’m glad they accepted you. It bodes well for me, if—”
Lakin’s face brightened. “If you and Eli get married?”
Noelle gasped so hard she choked. Coughed. Waving a hand and chuckling, she croaked out, “Whoa. Slow down. We’re not even dating. I just meant if—” she picked up a glass and started drying it without meeting Lakin’s eyes “—ifwe were to get back together.”
Lakin threw her arms around Noelle and squealed softly. “Oh yes! I would love that! And I know it would make Eli so happy. He really mourned losing you when you broke up. I don’t think he ever stopped loving you.”
Noelle returned Lakin’s hug before pulling away. “Don’t say anything to anyone about that. Not that they aren’t all thinking it already, but I still don’t know what’s going to happen with Eli. We have things to work out, and… I have a life in Seattle. I’m only supposed to be here to handle the final arrangements for Allison.”
Lakin’s shoulders drooped, and her smile fell. “I promise. But for what it’s worth, my vote is for you and Eli to patch things up and let yourselves be happy at last.” She pulled a shy grin, adding, “It’s been pretty awesome for me and Troy.”
Noelle gave Eli’s sister a warm smile. “I can tell.”
Lakin faced the sink again and handed Noelle the last dish. “I think that’s all the dirties until we serve the cake. Let’s get outside before all the marshmallows are gone. The guys tend to use them for projectiles rather than dessert, and the puffs disappear rather fast.”
Sure enough, when Noelle and Lakin headed out to the bonfire, small white blobs were being hurled around the yard to the amusement of the men. Some were caught in mouths, others caught by hand and lobbed again, a few tossed in the fire to become gooey, blazing kindling.
Sasha tucked Noelle’s arm under hers and gave her a withering look. “I apologize for these ludicrous shenanigans, dear. Some things, boys never outgrow.”
Noelle watched Eli duck a marshmallow thrown by Parker. In a smooth follow-up motion, Eli returned a puff by underhand toss to Troy, who caught it ably in his mouth and, cheeks stuffed with the sugary treat, grinned broadly.
“No apology needed. I love it.” Noelle tugged Eli’s mother closer, savoring the maternal connection. “They’re having fun. Making happy memories. What could be better than that?”
Eli spotted Noelle then and hurried over, wrapping her in a one-armed hug as they stood beside his mother.
“I’m just happy the predicted storm front held off long enough for us to have a bonfire. The forecast says we’re in for possible whiteout conditions and up to a foot of snow later tonight,” Sasha said. As if to echo her statement, a stiff breeze crossed the yard, making the flames dance and stretch sideways.
Noelle snuggled closer to Eli and pinched her coat closed at the throat.
