I stand and tuck the flower into my dress pocket.
“Everything’s fine.”
He’s fine.
He didn’t forget me.
Chapter 41
Elowen
My little girl has grown so big.
I run to her the moment my boots hit the grass, and she runs to me. I sink onto the grass, and she’s all over me—circling, jumping, licking everywhere she can reach.
It’s been more than a month since I’ve seen her. When I went to San Diego after Zo’s accident, I brought her along, and she got sick. So when I left for Leo’s wedding, I let her stay here with her caretaker, Wanda, since Ma and Pa had also gone with me to San Diego. They came back here after the wedding; I stayed. I’d planned to stay twoweeks, but my concert got postponed, and then Avi and Zo’s relationship became public. The month flew by in the blink of an eye.
Now Leo’s gone to Russia—to beg Lyn to come back, I hope—and he’s sent me back to Pa’s countryside house. Our heaven.
For the first time in years, I felt reluctant to leave San Diego. It’s only been four days since the concert. I went out into the city, using shopping as an excuse, but I didn’t see him anywhere. An unreasonable part of me still believes he’s there, and by leaving, I’m closing every door to a chance meeting.
“She missed you terribly,” Ma says as she reaches us.
I stand and hug her. Pa comes over too, and I hug him as well.
“You missed me too, right?” I tease.
Ma chuckles. “Very much. Without you and Avi, this house became so silent.”
“Are you saying Avi and I make too much noise?” I press a hand to my chest in mock hurt, walking inside.
“Old people love their loud grandchildren,” Pa says, smiling.
I snort. “You two have a very interesting way of giving compliments.”
We settle into the cozy sitting room, nestling into the couches. Rosie climbs up beside me; I hug her fuzzy face, kissing the top of her head.
“How’s Leo?” Ma asks.
I release Rosie from my grasp and start massaging around her neck while gathering my answer to the very difficult question.
“He’s fine. Gone to Russia on a business trip.”
Pa chuckles. “All you kids are very good liars.”
Ma shakes her head. “We know what he did. Now answer me truthfully.”
“How do you know?” I ask, shocked.
“Your mother told us.”
“And who told her?”
“Your father.”
I nod slowly. “That explains why she was calling me nine times a day to ask about Leo.” I mutter to myself, then look at Ma.
“He’ll be fine. He went to bring Lyn back. He really wants their relationship to work, and since he always ends up getting what he wants, rest assured.”
