Chapter 22
Nina
It’s midnight, and time to say goodbye to our angel. This part is hard, too. Seeing the condition they arrive in breaks my heart. After caring for them, letting them go hurts, too. At least Skylar has her mother. She won’t be alone.
“You’re going to be just fine.” I squeeze Skylar’s hand. “Once you’re settled, they’ll let me know the area, and I’ll locate the doctors you need.”
“Thank you.” Skylar throws her arms around my neck. “Thank you so much for everything.” She hugs Lauren next.
Ms. Clarke hugs me, too. “I don’t know how to repay you for what you’ve done for us.”
“You don’t owe us anything,” I assure her.
“Why do you do it? I mean, I’m grateful. Beyond grateful, but why?” Ms. Clarke asks.
“Because not everybody makes it out,” Lily repeats the same words Nanny said to her when she first arrived.
“Time to go, ladies.” Jack opens the door.
Skylar and her mother say goodbye again, wave, and step out onto the porch where Hendrix and Parker are waiting.
“Angel.” No sooner than the word is out of his mouth, Lily’s in his arms for a long goodbye kiss.
Jack, Hendrix, Parker, and Darin are our angels’ escorts to North Carolina. Mack doesn’t give me their location, just a general area. However, with Skylar’s medical issues, it’s my job to locate the doctors.
Darin stands in the doorway. His dark eyes roam over me from head to toe. Since our shopping trip, he’s been watching me more. It’s okay. I’m watching him, too. I hate to see him leave, but I know I’m still safe and protected here.
“Oh, for crying out loud. I got them. They’re good. Go.” Jay pushes Darin and Jack out the door. He follows behind them.
Lily crosses her arms. “Well, he’s on my bad list.”
“You wanna tell him?” Lauren laughs.
“No.” She shakes her head rapidly. “Not at all.”
“You two don’t have to stay here with me. I can go home with Lauren,” I offer.
“This is fine. I don’t mind.” Lauren heads to the kitchen. “What should we do to celebrate?”
“What are we celebrating?”
“Well, for one, we rescued another angel. Two, it’s girls’ night.” Lily opens the bag she put on the counter earlier and pulls out two bottles of wine.
“Oh, no.” I groan.
“Oh, yes.” Lauren grabs the wine glasses from the cabinet.
With wine in hand, we go to the living room. It looks like we’re doing this whether I want to or not.
Lily pulls her feet under her on the couch. “So, tell us all about him.”
“Who?”
Lauren rolls her eyes. “Worley.”
“You like him.” Lily wiggles and takes a sip of wine.
“Oh, she does,” Lauren assures her.
