Elena shakes all of their hands, telling Boyd she didn’t catch his name earlier. She introduces her son to the men, then turns to me. “It’s good to see you again, Jennifer. Did you eat already?”
“We had lunch, but I think there are plans for dessert.”
T.J. taps Elena’s arm. “Dessert! Can I get a piece of cake, Mom?”
“We came in for hot chocolate. You can get thatorcake, T.J. Not both.”
The boy screws up his face in concentration, doing mental calculations before saying, “I’ll have cake. We have hot chocolate at home.”
“Smart boy.” Grizz holds out his knuckles for a fist bump, and T.J. meets them with a wide smile on his face.
Ruth appears with two more menus. “Hey, Elena. You keeping this one in line?” She jerks her chin toward T.J.
Elena laughs. “I’m trying. No promises. How’s your day going?”
Ruth asks about a school event, and Elena asks if anyone found Mrs. Calloway’s missing cat yet. Their banter is easy and familiar, and it makes me yearn to belong to a community like this, instead of passing through, wearing a wig and using a fake name.
Elena orders coffee, T.J. and Grizz each get a slice of chocolate cake, and Atlas and I order huckleberry pie, while Viper passes on dessert.
While we talk, Elena confirms she is indeed a school principal. The men share a little about their security work with her, and then the focus turns to me, something I’d been hoping to avoid.
“So, Jennifer,” she says, “are you thinking of staying in Moon Ridge for a while? Lots of people come for a season and end up putting down roots.”
I shrug and aim to keep my lies as close to the truth as I can. “I’m … figuring things out. A lot of things are up in the air right now, so it’s hard to make plans.”
Elena gives me an empathetic smile. “I’ve been there. New town, no family nearby, and a kid who needed me to keep it together.” She ruffles her son’s hair, but T.J. is too focused on his cake to pay much attention.
“Moon Ridge made it doable,” she says. “It’s a great little town. Schools with small classes, a good library, no crime to speak of. Everyone looks out for each other. When we moved here, the women who volunteer at the community center practically adopted us.”
“That does sound nice,” I say, and I mean it, but I’m half lost in my own thoughts. I don’t wantto ask Elena about her husband in front of T.J., but if Viper’s intel is correct, and I’m sure it is, then it seems Elena is doing great at single motherhood, despite all the challenges.
As she talks about her love of the town, I can almost picture myself and my daughter in some small rental house here. A view of the mountains, routines that revolve around school drop-offs and grocery lists instead of security briefings and burner phones.
And yet, as I sit here surrounded by the three men who have quickly become my world over the past few weeks, I’m finding it hard towantto imagine a future that doesn’t include them.
CHAPTER 17
KIRA
When we return to the house that’s starting to feel a lot like home, I head straight to the bathroom, remove the wig, and scrub off the makeup. When the disguise is gone, my face looks tired but clearer.
Visiting Moon Ridge made me hopeful, but it also brought the challenges I’m facing into focus. I loved the town, and seeing people going about their everyday lives was a breath of fresh air, but I can’t help but contrast my situation. No one’s life is truly carefree, no matter how things look to the outside world, but I doubt anyone else in the little town has a target on their back.
In my room, I bring out the sonogram picture and stroke my finger gently along its edges as I make silent wishes for my daughter. I place it carefully on the table beside my bed, where it will be the first and last thing I see every day.
Next, I lay the yarn out on the bed and admire the colors. I’m tempted to dive right into a project, both for its soothing effect and to feel like I’mdoingsomething. Makingsome sort of progress, rather than existing in a state of limbo.
But I’ll save that for later. Instead, I go back downstairs to help put things away in the pantry, if the men will let me help. Sometimes I don’t know if they’re shielding me from work they think will tire me out, or if they prefer their own way of doing things.
The pantry, for example, is better organized than a freshly stocked grocery store. All the labels face forward with the closest expiration date products at the front. Everything is grouped in sensible categories.
It’s both admirable and intimidating.
Atlas and Grizz are the ones unpacking supplies, and to my surprise, they let me help, but only to take things out of the bags, not to put them on the shelves. I don’t know if this actually qualifies as helping, but it keeps my hands busy.
“How are you feeling after the trip into town?” Atlas asks.
“A little tired, but it was nice to get out. I liked Moon Ridge a lot.”
