Elana walked into the bedroom and grabbed some clean clothes. She’d already found the washer and dryer downstairs and planned on doing a load that night.
Heading into the bathroom, she turned to close the door. Jack was sitting in the doorway.
“I’m taking a shower, Jack.”
When he didn’t budge, she relented. “Come on in.”
The dog stood, wagged his tail, and walked over to the bathmat in front of the shower, where he curled up.
She laughed.
Once the water got hot, she stepped inside and stood under the spray. She scrubbed every inch of her body, hoping to erase the memory of the day and the stench of the man who’d tried to assault her.
Hot unshed tears burned the back of her eyes, and she tried to blink them away unsuccessfully.
She finally lost the fight. Placing her hands on the walls of the shower, she sobbed.
And when she had let all her emotions out, she looked down. Jack was resting his head on the side of the shower, watching her, making sure she was okay.
Elana turned the water off. When she turned around, Jack had the towel in his mouth.
She quickly dried off and slipped on fresh clothes. She’d just finished drying her hair when she heard her grandmother.
“Food’s here!” Grandma Cecilia called from downstairs.
Elana bent down and cuddled Jack in her arms. “Come on, Jack. Let’s get something to eat.”
CHAPTER28
Elana finished off her meal by cracking open a fortune cookie. “That was the best Chinese food I have ever had.”
Grandma Cecilia sighed with contentment. “I have to agree.” She reached for a fortune cookie and then looked at Elana. “What does your fortune say?”
Elana tugged out the tiny scrap of paper and unrolled it. She frowned. “It says, ‘The journey never ends.’”
Grandma Cecilia’s face lit up. “That’s very true, dear.” She broke her cookie in half with excitement.
Elana studied her grandmother’s face. “Well? Are you going to tell me what yours says?”
Grandma Cecilia slowly read her fortune. “‘Don’t fry bacon in the nude.’”
Elana blinked and burst out laughing. Her grandmother joined her, along with Jack letting out a bark while wagging his tail.
Elana collapsed back on the couch and smiled. “I needed that laugh.” She glanced over at Jack. “Jack stayed in the bathroom with me and then handed me a towel when I got out of the shower.”
Grandma Cecilia looked over at the canine, who was curled up in front of the fireplace. “Jack is a wise old dog. He’s seen some things in life.”
Elana snorted. “Grandma Cecilia, how do you know?”
She arched her brow. “I know things. Don’t question me.”
Elana grinned and nodded. “I think Jack is smart too. I’m beginning to think he found me instead of me finding him.”
Her grandmother nodded. “That’s how life is, honey. Nothing is by accident. It’s like I’ve been telling you.”
Elana heard her cell phone buzz again on the coffee table. When she saw it was from her father, she turned it off.
“I suppose that’s your father again, checking up on me.” Grandma Cecilia chewed thoughtfully on her cookie.
