Page 38 of Erik's Salvation
How long had he searched for it?Whenhad he searched? She wanted to ask those questions. Instead, she went with a simple response.
Hannah: Thank you.
Saying thank you didn’t feel enough.
Erik: You’re welcome, Angel.
* * *
“I’m so happy!Erik’s home, and soon Nate will be home too, and I’ll have all my babies back!”
Erik smiled as his mother gushed. He’d seen his parents a few times now since returning to Redwood. The first visit had been emotional as hell. His mother had cried for nearly an hour, and even after that, she’d continued to wipe her eyes intermittently. Even his father’s eyes had gotten a bit wet.
And he understood. He’d been away for a long time. His parents had probably started to wonder if he was ever coming home again. He hated to admit it, but if it wasn’t for his grandfather leaving him the house, and his dad’s heart issues, he probably wouldn’t be here now.
“Jennifer, let’s not get ahead of ourselves,” his father said softly, patting her arm. “We don’t know if Nate’s leave will be approved.”
“I know, but a woman can hope.”
They sat at a table at Black Bean, coffees in front of them, and fuck but did he need the caffeine. He was used to getting little sleep. Hell, he’d barely slept in eight years. But last night, after being close to Hannah, he’d only gotten a couple hours. Thoughts of her had tormented him.
Andi bumped his shoulder. “So, Finley said she saw you at Tatum’s last night.”
His shoulders tensed. Finley and his sister had been inseparable since high school. The woman was basically family.
“She said she was going to go up to you and say hi,” Andi continued, “but you seemed…busy.”
He bit back a groan at the questioning glances he could feel across the table.
“Busy doing what?” his mother asked.
He was careful to keep his features clear. “Nothing. Just helping a neighbor get home safely.”
His father nodded. “I was surprised when that house next door was renovated. But they did a good job.”
His mother shook her head. “I didn’t like it. That place was a knockdown.”
“She’s pretty,” Andi piped in, and he wanted to shove a rag into her mouth. She’d only seen Hannah that one time, when they’d been here at Black Bean.
His mother’s eyes lit up like his sister had said he was engaged to be fucking married.
“A bit young,” Andi added, clearly not noticing how close she was to being physically silenced. “But very pretty.”
“Howyoung?” his father asked.
Jesus Christ. “It doesn’t matter. She’s just a neighbor. She needed a ride home from the bar last night, and I gave it to her.”
Fortunately, if Andi knew about his interaction with Marco, she didn’t say anything.
Over the next hour, his mother and Andi filled every second of silence. His mother was throwing a fundraiser ball in a few weeks. She threw a lot of them—this one for the American Heart Association.
His gaze flicked to his dad. No one looking at him would think he had heart issues. He’d lost some weight and muscle over the years and his face was a bit thinner, but otherwise he looked healthy. Of course, if anyone could take care of him, it was his mother.
They were almost done with their coffees when the door opened, and Hannah stepped in.
His heart sped up, his muscles tightening. She wore a tight black skirt that ended midthigh, a crisp white shirt, and a blazer. She looked both formal and sexy. Her hair fell around her shoulders like a damn waterfall.
Her gaze found his immediately, and a small smile stretched her lips. She mouthed a “Hi” just before a man stepped in behind her and touched her shoulder, shifting her attention.
