AllFreeNovel
Share Us
Nora holds her once injured ankle up and gives it a small wiggle. “No boot!” she responds triumphantly.
“Oh, good! That’s wonderful news, Nora!”
I can’t help but smile at their exchange. My family has fallen in love with Nora as quickly as I did. She fits in with us perfectly; her parents do, too.
“Dad and Sam are at the hardware store. I knew you two were coming home today, so I wanted to be here,” Mom says.
Nora opens her door and slides off her seat, gently placing her feet on the ground to stand.
Mom hurries around to her side of the vehicle. “Let me help you, sweetheart.”
“Thank you, Camilla, but I think I’ve got it. It feels a little strange not having the big boot on, but I’m excited to get back to normal.”
Mom smiles but doesn’t leave Nora’s side. She takes every step with her all the way to the front door. I walk behind them, only looking away to take in my surroundings. No sign of Miller.
A strange, hopeful feeling settles in my chest. It started when I first saw Nora in my family home, but it’s grown since then. Sutter Creek has never felt more like home than it does to me now.
Chapter 35
Nora
“We’re so glad to have you two back home,” Camilla says as we walk through the front door of SJ’s childhood home. It’s warm, cozy, and tidy, and I suddenly realize I missed it more than I thought I would.
“The hotel was nice, but we’re glad to be back with you guys, too.” My cheeks heat, remembering the passion between SJ and me at the hotel. I’m glad we had that alone time together. I’ve never felt a connection with anyone like I feel when I’m with him.
If David Miller hadn’t left those damn flowers and note, I’m not sure SJ would’ve made a move the way he did. That thought is put on the back burner for later when SJ speaks to his mom.
“We’re only here for another night, Mom.”
“What? Why?” She spins on her heel, the sadness in her voice pulls at my heart. It’s obvious how much she’s enjoyed having her son home, and it’s my fault he’s leaving again.
“Opening night. We need to get back to New York,” SJ responds flatly. He doesn’t tell her the whole truth. It must be to keep her from worrying, but by the look on her face, it doesn’t work.
“Nora isn’t ready to perform. What’s going on, son?” She won’t give in that easily, and she isn’t a stupid woman.
“Mom, you knew this was supposed to be a trip to help Dad get back on his feet. Although I never really saw him off of them.” He gives her a pointed look. “Dad is one hundred percent, Nora’s healed enough to get back to her normal life, and I have to get back to mine.”
His tone isn’t harsh, but it’s final. I don’t like what I’m hearing at all, and I furrow my brows when he glances at me. I want him to be honest with her, tell her we’re only going back to catch David Miller.
Are we only going back to catch David? My mind reels with questions. With us together now, what does that mean for our lives? He lives in California; I live in New York. Our lives are literally on opposite sides of the country.
My mind spins, and I have a sinking feeling in my gut. We haven’t talked about any of this. Where do we go from here? Wondering whether SJ would’ve made a move without David Miller threatening me the way he did bothers me as well.
A hand softly grips my forearm. “Nora, honey, are you okay? You’ve gone pale.” Camilla’s soft words make me blink back into reality.
“What’s wrong, cupcake?” SJ comes over and wraps me in his powerful arms. He doesn’t hesitate to comfort me for a second, even though his mother is right there.
Camilla steps back, allowing SJ to embrace me fully. When I peek at her nervously, she smiles.
“I’m okay. I think I might be nervous about going back to New York.” It’s a partial truth. I am nervous about going back and putting SJ’s plan into motion. However, the weight of the “what ifs” with SJ and me just hit me like a ton of bricks.
“It’ll be okay. This will be over soon.” SJ’s words vibrate in his chest where my head rests. He rubs his hand up and down my back in a soothing manner. It works for a moment before I’m jarred back into reality.
Maybe we jumped in headfirst too fast. We should’ve at least talked about some of the logistics. Like how the hell we’ll make this work after SJ catches Miller.
I step back, putting distance between us. I glance up at him briefly, careful to avoid too much eye contact, and then at Camilla. Her hands are clasped, still smiling. She’s practically giddy, and something in my heart warms and drops at the same time. It’s a dizzying feeling.
Camilla whispers, “Does this mean…you two are an item?”
