Hellen started for the front door and stopped, turning to look at her brother. “Hey, how is Analise?”
“She’s shook up, but much better now that we know Emmalyn is alright.”
“Y’all still planning your wedding soon?”
“Nah, it’s put off for a little while.”
“That’s a shame. I’m sorry.”
“It’s all good. Wouldn’t be the same without Emmalyn, and Analise wouldn’t feel it was just right without her. So, we’re going to push it back until Emmalyn is recovered, and then see when she feels like she wants to participate.”
“Whenever that is, I’m in. I’ll be here.”
“You sure? You ain't never here.”
“Let’s make a deal here and now, Havoc. I won’t give you a hard time for deserting me before I even graduated from high school, and you won’t give me a hard time for doing what I have to do right now.”
“You gonna tell me about whatever it is you doing?” he asked, realizing her expression was indicating that she was already shutting down. “Some day at least,” he offered.
Hellen smiled at her brother. She adored him. “Yeah, some day.”
“You gonna be okay? Is this something putting you in danger?”
“Nothing I can’t handle. Just don’t exactly know where it’s leading.”
“Make sure it leads you back here, or I’m coming searching for your ass. And I’m bringing Aunt Everly,” he teased, sort of.
“Promise,” Hellen said.
“Alright. Deal, then.”
Chapter 17
Barron lay on his side, curled around Emmalyn. When she woke from time to time she seemed to just need to know that he was near, and that was fine with him. He needed to know that she was near, too. Despite the company they’d had almost constantly until the previous evening, they’d actually managed to settle into an easy, peaceful acceptance that their strength lay in one another. It was a comfort really. Curled around her, his body pressed up against her back, he savored the moment, knowing that this, finally was their forever.
A tap on the front door had his eyes popping open. He sighed, thinking her parents were already back, and they’d only been gone overnight. He knew that it might be a long, long time before her parents left them alone long enough to actually find some kind of peace. It would be okay, though. It would all work itself out. He felt in every part of his being that he and Emmalyn had both reached some sort of realization — a point at which they knew, they were each others’ strength, each others’ peace, each others’ home. They’d established a bond that was unbelievably strong. There was still a lot to talk about and details to work through, and though Emmalyn was healing quickly, he knew she wasn’t fully herself and was in no shape to delve into deep discussions. It would all come in time.
Another tap reminded him that his front door was locked and until he let their early morning visitors in, no one could enter. He smiled mischievously considering doing just that. Making whoever it was go away. Ultimately, though, he gently unwrapped himself from around Emmalyn, made sure she was still warm and comfortable, then as quietly as he could went to answer the door.
He came to a stop, surprised when he realized who was standing at the door looking in at him from the window right beside it. Picking up the pace he reached the door quickly, unlocked and pulled it open. “Hey, Hellen,” he said with a welcoming grin.
“Hi, Barron. Is it too early?”
“Naw, come on in. Where you been?”
“In the woods. Doing what I do,” she said with a hesitant smile.
“They should get you some help!” Barron said.
“That’s what I said!” she agreed.
“I’m about to make some coffee. You want some?” he offered.
“That’d be wonderful,” she said.
“If you want to go sit with Emmalyn, I think she’d be glad to see you,” Barron said.
“Thank you, Barron.” Hellen wasted no time in getting to Barron’s bedroom and quietly letting herself in. She stood there watching Emmalyn for a few seconds before she eased herself down on the edge of the bed. Emmalyn was one of their strongest, one of their most capable and to see her like this, recovering, healing, because of an attack was very humbling.
