Page 68 of Let Me Protect You

“Yes but I spoke to my mother.”

He cocks his head in a cute, confused way.

“At the cemetery. Before those guys kidnapped me. I just felt more at peace after talking to her.” I pause, unsure how to tell him the next part. “And well, I made an appointment with a grief therapist. I think it will help a lot.”

“I’m so proud of you.” He pulls me to him and hugs me tightly. “I love you so much, Harmony. You’re one of the bravest people I know.”

“I love you, too, Elias,” I say into his chest, and I can’t stop the smile that overtakes my mouth.

***

The party is in full swing, and it’s so packed I can barely move an inch without bumping into someone. A soft beat intertwines with the voices in an almost hypnotic way. My heart swells as I take a look around. Almost the entire town showed up.

Serenity and Summer sit in front of me, and Elias is on my left. Sully shoves his way through the crowd and plops down in the seat on my right.

“This is one helluva party,” Sully practically screams over all the other voices.

“Well, Tía Vicki deserves it.” Elias shrugs as if this extravagant party means nothing. “Speaking of my aunt, have you seen her?”

Sully points toward the opposite side of the restaurant. “Last I saw, she was in the bar with some of her friends.”

Elias nods but doesn’t say anything else. A smile plays on his lips when his gaze finally lands on Vicki. I lean over so I can peer over at her. She’s talking to Barbara, and they both throw their heads back and laugh.

I chance a peek at Elias again. Heat radiates through my chest. I still can’t get over the fact that he was willing to sell Cutesy’s and move away from his family for me. I’d never let him do that though.

Loud cheering snatches my attention off of Elias. Vicki walks through the restaurant, heading straight in our direction. She has on a lavender “birthday girl” sash that matches her crown. Sully adjusts next to me, and when I turn to look at him, his eyes are glued to Vicki’s dress like … Well, I don’t even want to finish that thought.

Smothering a smile, I wonder how long he’s been into her.

Leaning over to Sully, I whisper, “Are you and Vicki a thing?”

He tears his gaze off her and looks at me. A faraway expression crosses his face. “No, of course not. I’ve experienced love once, and that’s enough for me. I just think she’s a gorgeous woman with a beautiful and generous soul.”

“There’s my sweet boy!” Vicki says as she approaches, pulling Sully’s and my attention back to her. Barb and Lucy stop right beside her with wine glasses in hand. Then she turns to me. “And hopefully my future daughter-in-law.”

My cheeks burn. I hope one day that I will officially be her daughter-in-law. “I’m so happy you’re having a good time, Vicki.”

“My kids are too good to me.” She beams like any proud parent. “But I’m happy you finally came back. It’s your turn to take care of him.”

Elias groans. “Seriously? I’m a grown man.”

“And I know you’ll both dote on each other.” Vicki looks around. “Is there a cake? I think I’m ready to turn fifty, but that can’t happen without sweets.”

Chapter 35

Harmony

After Vicki’s party, I head straight to the cemetery, while there’s still a kernel of sunlight. Elias is at Frank’s, cleaning up, so he gave me the keys to his car with a kiss. I couldn’t stay there any longer. Being there with all our loved ones made me miss my mother even more than usual.

I kneel in front of her grave—this time without “bodyguards”—and run my fingers across her name. A gentle breeze caresses my face, and I lean into it, pretending for a moment that it’s her. It has been three years too long since I’ve felt her arms wrapped around me.

The entire cemetery is empty. I suppose no one wants to go in the winter. But after my last visit was cut short, I need this.

“I love you and miss you, Mom.” My voice pierces the silence. “I’m starting to learn that thinking about you doesn’t have to be painful, but it still is.”

Footsteps sound behind me, and I tense. Glancing around, I try to find anything that can be used as a weapon.

“It’s me,” Sully’s soft voice says, and my body relaxes.