“Yes, apparently, she did like it,” Kate replied, keeping everything neutral. “Did you?”
“Oh, yeah, it’s a great church but…” He came out and tipped his head to the empty sofa seat next to her.
“Of course, sit down.” She scooched over. “What’s wrong?”
Eli closed his eyes for a second and sipped the coffee, then dropped his head back. “Where’s Jonah?”
The non sequitur threw her. “I’m not sure. He went somewhere with Atlas. Something about taking him to the park. I guess it’s his only day off. Vivien left to go to Peter’s house and I haven’t seen Meredith. Maybe she went with Jonah? Why?”
“I need him. We have so much to do to get ready for a hurricane,” he said. “Have you counted the windows in this house? Yes, we have protection of the first floor, and thank God I bought two generators, but I wasn’t expecting a storm this big on our first hurricane season. Foolish on my part. The Gulf has been hit a lot lately, and it makes sense that it’s our turn.”
“I’m here to help.”
“I need Jonah’s muscles.”
She slid him a look. “He’s very busy with school and the new job at the restaurant.”
“I know, but these are extenuating circumstances.”
For a moment, she didn’t respond, searching his face and trying to figure out this side of Eli she’d yet to see. Where was his level-headedness and that nearly preternatural ability to not let life cause anxiety?
“I’m sorry,” he whispered, catching her gaze. “I am so distracted. Yes, your daughter loved her first church service. She’s made friends and loved the message and sang ‘In Christ Alone’ all the way home.”
She shifted, a little uncomfortable with the report. Had he forgotten who and what she was? Was he that distracted?
“But I didn’t sing,” he added, not in tune with her discomfort. “I just thought about roofs and generators and sandbags. The model at Lakeside is so vulnerable, and so’s the entire construction site. We have to evacuate, have a plan, prepare for the worst, and hope for the best.”
She watched him go through his litany, his blue eyes narrowing, the faint line between his brows deepening.
“I hate to add to your worry list,” she said, “but my mother sort of casually mentioned she is not going back to Ithaca for this storm. Doesn’t want tomissa hurricane.”
“She’s always up for an adventure,” he said. “Maggie’s staying, too, even though Crista, Anthony, and Nolie are headed up to Atlanta. But they are taking the dog, so that’s one less soul to worry about.”
“And you’re not worried about Maggie and my mom? They’re darn near eighty.”
“We won’t leave them here,” he assured her. “Peter’s working the sheriff’s office to find an inland rental, maybe in Freeport or Rock Hill. They’ll come with us.”
They sat for a few seconds, both of them looking at the beach. Out beyond the cleanup crew, two boys were dragging a kayak toward the surf. The Gulf was glass.
“Everyone will be safe,” Eli said quietly, as much to himself as to her. “I promise that.”
She put a hand on his arm, feeling the warm sun on his skin and the strength of the muscles underneath. “I know that,” she said quietly.
She’d seen him in action enough to know he was protective down to his last strand of DNA, and a natural leader.
“Can I change the subject?” she asked after a beat.
“Please.”
“I’ve been thinking about your challenge.”
He regarded her with a skeptical lift of his brows. “Don’t tell me. You changed your mind, think it is ridiculous, and you and Emma are heading off tomorrow to avoid the storm?”
“Wait a second.” She drew back. “Who stole my positive, rock-solid Eli and replaced him with a doubting imposter?”
He laughed. “Not sure what I like best about that.YourEli or rock-solid. Am I?”
“You are both,” she assured him, leaning closer.
