Page 155 of Protecting You
Alyssa was taller than her mom, but in that moment, she felt like a little girl again. And wished, so wished, her mother could make everything better.
“I don’t know what this is all about,” Mom said, “but I know your heart.” She gripped Alyssa’s shoulders and met her eyes. “You have a beautiful heart. I’m certain that when we hear the story, we’ll understand why you did what you did.” Her smile was tentative. “That was a lovely ring, though.”
Alyssa barked a surprised laugh. “It was.” She shifted her gaze to her sisters, who’d all moved closer. None of them glared at her. None of them seemed angry or upset. Just concerned.
She hugged them, repeated her apology four more times. And each of them, in her own special way, offered forgiveness and grace.
How had she forgotten this? How had she forgotten what it meant to be a sister? A daughter? How had she drifted so far away?
There was no time to analyze her decisions now. If she had the chance, she would fix things going forward.
“I have to go check on Callan.”
“Of course. You let us know?—”
“I’m sorry,” Brooklynn said, “but if nobody else is going to say it, I will.”
Delaney’s eyes widened with worry.
Cici crossed her arms, flashing to the stubborn child she’d once been.
Kenzie grinned.
“Sweetheart,” Mom said, “maybe now isn’t the time.”
But Brooklynn wasn’t having it as she scanned the room, turning to include Summer, who’d remained seated on a chair.
The fierce warrior shrugged and smiled.
“What?” Alyssa asked.
“I’m not the only one who saw it, right? How perfect they are together? Her and Caleb. Or…Callan, you said? Wait.” Brooklynn straightened. “Callan, as in?—?”
“It’s nothing.” But Alyssa’s cheeks were warming. She might’ve mentioned her college rival a few times to her sister back then.
“That’sCallan?” Brooklynn’s eyebrows hiked. “TheCallan?”
“It’s pretend. It was only…” Was she really going to lie to them again?
No. No, she wasn’t. “Fine. Maybe it’s not completely… It started out as pretend, but maybe?—”
“I knew it!” Brooklynn pumped her hand in triumph. “I told you guys they’re perfect together.”
“It’s not like that.” Unfortunately, Alyssa wasn’t lying now. “He’s made it very clear he’s not interested.”
“So he’s a liar too?” Cici asked.
“Be nice, Ci,” Delaney said. “They didn’t mean to hurt us.” Her head tilted to the side. “It’s because of Peri, right? He doesn’t know how to love both of you.”
Wow. How did her little sister do that? It was as if people’s motivations were stamped on their foreheads. “That’s what he said, yes. He has to focus on Peri.”
Brooklynn said, “But he could?—”
“Who’s been kidnapped,” Alyssa added. “I need to go find out what’s going on. Thank you for understanding.” She squeezed her mother’s hand. “I love you.” Shifting to take in the rest of them, she added, “I love you all, and I’m sorry for…”
“Go, sweetheart,” Mom said. “We’ll be here, praying.”
* * *
