Page 11 of Those Who Are Bound

Elliott shook her head. “Nothing.” Again, she retreated into what she knew and nodded at the bag Jonah still had on his shoulder. “Because you have the laptop, you don’t need to come back tomorrow unless you need something in the office. You said you wouldn’t have a car for a few days anyway. I suggest you learn the contracts and take a few days to familiarize yourself with everything. Learn who our competitors are and why we’re better than they are—or not. When Gage was in charge, a lot of people booked after he told them they could get a better gig down the road; they’d liked his honesty. But I’m not expecting real activity for a while.”

“Maybe something small to get my feet wet here, so to speak?” Lucy asked.

Elliott shrugged. “Sounds good. Don’t try to book a five-hundred-person event your first time. I can help initially, but it’s not my thing. So, don’t call the radio station and pitch RockFest.”

“Well, it wouldn’t fit, that much I know.” Lucy laughed, trying to dispel some of the tension.

It didn’t work. Jonah was still watching Elliott closely, like he wanted to say something but didn’t know how to say it.

“I’ll order you some business cards; it will take about a week.”

Lucy did another bounce in place. “Oh my god, it’s like, official.”

“It was official when you filled out all of that paperwork.” She took a hinting step toward the door.

Lucy looked around and then looked at Jonah, as though reminding herself not to forget him. “Right. Okay, then. Wow. I mean, wow. I have a lot of homework to do.” She indicated that Jonah should hand her the satchel.

“I’ve got this,” he assured her.

“No, I know, but I want it,” Lucy said, her tone striking a determined note.

Beaming at her affectionately, he slipped it off his shoulder and handed it to her. Lucy slung it cross-body this time and looked over at Elliott as she rubbed the leather. “I’ll take care of it.”

Elliott nodded. “I know.” She moved toward the door.

Lucy took a few steps after her, more halting, as though she didn’t want to leave. “Can I… Can I ask how he died? Gage? How did he die?” She was rubbing the leather again, this time as though soothing a hurt.

Elliott looked at her, trying not to be startled, annoyed, or hurt by the question. It was a question people asked. Friends of Gage still meandered by occasionally, shocked that he wasn’t here, wanting to know where he was, what had happened to him. He’d never been very good at communication, had never had a social media account beyond the ESE Facebook page, and she hadn’t wanted—or needed—to broadcast his business after he’d died. Those who knew, knew.

At Elliott’s silence, Lucy stammered, “I mean he looked so healthy in that picture. It just…” she trailed off.

Jonah intervened, caressing Lucy’s shoulder. “We’ve taken enough of Elliott’s time today, Luce.” It was a kind suggestion for her to stop talking; Lucy took the hint.

Smiling in embarrassment, Lucy nodded. “Right. Sorry; sometimes, he does have to herd me along.”

“No problem.” This time Elliott walked directly to the red door and opened it for them; yes, this was good-bye; there was no hinting anymore.

As Lucy walked through, she said, “I’ll talk to you soon.”

Elliott nodded in acknowledgment of her words.

Jonah didn’t move so quickly through the door and waited until she made eye contact with him before he spoke. “It was a pleasure to meet you, Elliott Rork.” He extended his hand.

Elliott gave a short nod and cursed whoever invented the handshake. Bowing was better—no need for contact—it kept everyone on a level playing field. Although it was considered a polite gesture, it was a manipulation, one last ploy to touch her. Mostly, she was angry because she wanted that last bit of contact.

Hypocrite, hypocrite, hypocrite.

She shook his hand and tried to ignore the warm buzz, attempting to rush it, but he held it tight and firm. She responded noncommittally, “Take care.”

“You, too.” He released her hand and walked away.

Elliott slowly sucked in air as though her lungs had been deprived of oxygen. Stepping out after them, a repeat of the day before, she closed the door behind herself as she watched them enter the vehicle. Jonah had no parting words to make her blush this time, and she experienced something akin to a let-down.

As their car doors shut, she could see Lucy pulling the seat belt over herself and the laptop. Her face was turned toward Jonah, her expression screwed up as though she was tearing into him. He was looking back at her with a closed expression, like he’d heard it a hundred times before.

Elliott raised an eyebrow.Good.Lucy had noticed his inappropriate behavior and was giving him his licks, and she’d barely waited for him to shut the car door. Not wanting to watch an argument, Elliott turned fully to face the red door and used the second set of keys—a much smaller group than she’d given to Lucy—to bolt it. Behind her, she heard the Jeep shift into gear and slowly move away.

Elliott headed down the paved drive toward her home, not paying them any attention as the Jeep rolled by, looking forward to the remaining quiet of the day. She would have to take down the advertisement for an event planner, but other than that, she would let Lucy ease into her role. She was curious to see what the woman could do.

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