Page 84 of With All My Haunted Heart

“Right. Of course.” I step aside to make room. “Come on in.”

Donald steps inside, followed by a woman closer to my age who maneuvers a stretcher into the house. I guide them toward Willa’s room, but the hospice nurse meets me halfway and takes over the tour, speaking in hushed tones with the funeral director.

My wait begins again, nerves and exhaustion making my eyelids heavy. I consider casting a vitality sigil, but until I know what else the night has in store, I don’t want to waste the magic. Or overdo that particular sigil like I did…god, was it only a few days ago? It feels like a lifetime since I was traveling the state, looking for ghosts to ensure Sloane’s investment in Midnight Manor.

An investment that was supposed to be Willa’s new home.

Murmured voices come closer, and I pull myself back to my feet as the stretcher comes into view. A sheet covers Willa’s body as the procession of her family walks her to the front door. I hurry to open it for them and silently stand sentry as they exit.

My gaze lingers over Elle, taking in all the signs of her grief. The bloodshot eyes and tear-swollen face. The way she clings to herself, arms wrapped tight around her ribs. When Elle sees me standing by the door, she falls still as the rest of the group continues outside into the dark night.

“You’re here.”

Her surprise stings. “Of course I am. I told you, whatever you need, I’ve got you.”

Elle nods, staring out into the driveway, where the stretcher is navigating between cars to the hearse.

“Do you want me to drive you back to the B&B?”

“I’m going to stay with my mom tonight.” Elle drags her attention back to me, but she can’t hold my gaze for more than a moment before she’s staring at her feet. “Maybe for a few nights. I don’t know. There’s a lot to do. I told Viv I’d help with the funeral. Help watch Parker and Holly.”

“Can I call Xander for you? I know it’s not much, but that’ll be one less thing on your plate.” I wait for my words to sink in, to make an impact, but Elle seems lost in her head. Lost in her grief and her expanding to-do list. “Ellie?”

I reach out to brush my fingers along her arm, but she jerks away from me like my touch is poison.

“Sorry. It’s not you.” Elle’s assurances fall flat as she steps farther away. “I can call Alex myself. I need to check in on the retreat anyway.”

“Are you sure?” I offer her a half smile as my insides twist with nerves. “Xander is plenty charming. I’m sure he’ll be fine handling Sloane and Sebastian on his own.”

“Willa—” Her voice cracks, and she tries again. “My niece is gone, but the business is still my responsibility.”

“Ellie…”

“It’s getting late, and you have a long drive.” She glances out the front door in time to see the back door to the hearse slam shut. “You should go.”

I know a dismissal when I hear one. When I promised to give Elle whatever she needed tonight, I didn’t expect that to include space. But if that’s what she wants, I can give her that, too.

The hearse pulls away. The hospice nurse speaks with Ted and Vivian before climbing into his car. After so much waiting, everything seems to happen all at once.

“Can I call you tomorrow?” I ask, turning back to Elle. “I can bring up food for you and your family. Help with any arrangements.”

“Actually…” Elle releases the death grip she has on her ribs to swipe the tears from her face. “I think it’d be better if you didn’t.”

“What do you mean?”

“We had fun together. But…maybe that’s all it was meant to be.”

I hold on tighter to the door, afraid that if I let go, I’ll crumble. “What are you saying?”

She shakes her head, fresh tears making a sparkling path down her cheeks. They pool along her chin before dripping to the floor. “I have a funeral to plan and a brand-new business to run. I can’t juggle anything else right now.”

Belonging to this family is a privilege. Not a right.

You have a family. You have me. And Dea.

And me, too.

Anger stirs in my chest, a scared animal defending against the hurt that lies closer to the core of my heart. “I’m not something you have to juggle, Elle. I can help you. I have helped you.”