Page 187 of Those Who Are Bound

She didn’t feel like a victor, though.

Elliott was better able to concentrate on the rest of the program. Someone else was talking now, who turned out to be one of the original members of the program. He now owned the small business he’d gone to work for, the owners retired. And he hired almost exclusively from the church’s program. It was a heart-warming story. And it was a good program, she wouldn’t say otherwise. And if they hadn’t been sitting in the basement of a church, it could have been any organization sponsoring it. That, she appreciated even more. No one would walk away tonight accidentally becoming a member of the congregation.

Like her.

When the speeches were over, the lights came back on while everyone clapped. Killion shifted in his seat to look at her and Jonah, a strange smile on his face. He settled his attention on Jonah. “Good to see you, man.”

“You, too. I’m sorry about your mother.”

Killion made a face. “She’s still proud.”

“Of course she is; she has reason to be.” There was a pause. “Without this.”

Killion nodded, looking around the room. Elliott was struck by how different his demeanor was from the first time she’d seen him sitting in this very room, slouched down in the chair, dejected.

A squeal rent the air, followed immediately by a burst of yellow. Elliott leaned forward quickly to ensure she was out of the line of Lucy’s assault. The woman launched herself at Jonah, bumping the table in her enthusiasm as she half hugged him in his seated position.

“Hey!” the kid yelled. Elliott glanced over as his mother ran a soothing hand over her son’s arm. The woman now watched them curiously, probably trying to figure out the dynamic.

“You’re here! I’ve missed you so much!” She peppered his face with quick kisses.

Well, if that comment didn’t make her feel guilty…

“It hasn’t been that long,” Jonah laughed softly, helping her back to her feet.

“Long enough to turn you into Sasquatch,” Lucy countered. She raised her hand and signaled across the room before she went to take her seat on the other side of Killion. “Dinner is served,” she announced.

“Finally!” the kid declared.

“He loves macaroni and cheese,” the mother said, as though it explained her son’s impatience.

Elliott’s eyebrows raised. Well, he was going to get a shock when he was served the vegan version and not the boxed stuff. “Their cookies are good.” It was all she could offer: pre-encouragement to get him through the meal.

Lucy was focused on Jonah. She asked, “When did you get back? How come I’m just now seeing you? How’s Christy?”

Christy?

Elliott’s eyes shifted to him. She was super interested in that answer, not that she had any right to be jealous. She’d released him to every Christy, Crystal, Ginger, Bambi, Poppy, and Barbie there was out there. She’d tortured herself over the thought of it, but for Lucy to just lay the cards on the table like that, smacking her in the face with his new love interest…

Maybe that’s why he looked so relaxed. And happy. And tan.

Fucker.

Jonah was eyeing her as well. Again, with that amused-yet-pleased look. Was it because he was enjoying rubbing it in her face that he’d been able to move on from her so quickly?

But he answered Lucy, “I got in this morning, Luce.” He looked at his friend. “I’d barely unloaded the Jeep when you texted.”

Lucy bounced in her chair, beaming. “You look good.” It seemed to mean more than his physical state.

Jonah nodded once in acknowledgment. He glanced at Elliott again before he was forced to sit back when the server slipped a plate onto the table in front of him.

“What’s that?” the little boy asked Jonah, looking across the table at his plate.

Jonah answered, “Meatloaf. Without the meat.”

“Would that just be loaf?”

“It’s meatloaf,” his mother said, shooting Jonah a look.

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