Noah tucked her into his chest. He wished he could stop this for her. He needed this to end.
The day went slowly after that. Too slowly. He tried to concentrate on the conversations around him, but he was giving a fraction of the attention that his family and friends deserved. Even when they sat down to eat, he could barely stomach anything.
The only true smile that curved his lips was when his phone rang and Bonnie’s name flashed across the screen. He leaned down and touched his lips to Addie’s ear. “I’ll be back in a minute.”
He didn’t answer the call until he was in his aunt’s living room.
“Hey, Bon-Bon.”
“Hey.”
His brows flickered at his sister’s mellow tone. “Everything okay?”
“Actually, no. Remember how I told you that I was scared about losing my job?”
“Yeah. Funding being cut at the shelter, right?”
“Yep. It happened. I lost my job last week.”
Shit. “I’m sorry, Bonnie.”
“Thanks. I’ve been looking for new jobs, but so far, there hasn’t been much.”
“Nothing?”
There was a small pause. “Actually, I found one job advertised. It’s kind of perfect. Exactly what I’m doing now.”
“That’s great. Where is it?”
Another pause, this one heavier. “Amber Ridge.”
He straightened. There was a job for Bonnie right here in Amber Ridge? Bonnie hadn’t been home for thirteen years. No one had evenseenher since she was eighteen.
“It’s a stupid idea, isn’t it?” she rushed when he was silent for too long. “It’s been so long. Everyone probably hates me for running out of town—”
“Bonnie—”
“I should go. I’ve got food in the oven. We’ll talk soon, Noah.”
She hung up before he could get another word in.
Shit. He tried calling her back, but she didn’t answer. He quickly typed out a text.
Noah: You caught me off guard. This is what I should have said—yes, come home. We all want to see you. This is where you belong.
Technically, he couldn’t speak for everyone. Indie and Bonnie had always had a rocky relationship, but even though Indie was mad at her sister for leaving, she still loved her. Coming home now was better than never.
There were other people who were also angry at Bonnie, the main ones being the White family, who’d lost their son the night of their high school graduation party. Bonnie and Dean White had been dating. He’d gotten drunk, she’d left, and he’d then tried to drive himself home. He’d crashed the car and died at the scene.
His family blamed Bonnie. But it wasn’t her damn fault.
The back door opened and Becket and Sky stepped inside. Becket held a couple of glasses in one hand and plates in the other, while Sky held her dog, Bella. Bella wasn’t a typical cute dog. But Sky and Becket were infatuated with her.
“What are you doing in here?” Becket asked when he saw Noah.
“Just sorting some things out.” He wouldn’t be sharing anything about Bonnie until he knew for sure what her plans were. He looked at Sky. “Is that dog allowed in here?”
“That dog,” Sky said slowly, “is part of the family. Pam agrees.”
