Chapter 17
Noelle and Eli spent most of the rest of Saturday trying new configurations and trials with her software…
and getting nowhere. Eli’s frequent calls to the Shelby PD for updates on possible sightings of Scott, any proof he was responsible for the break-in at the hostel and new evidence from the bombed house were equally unfruitful.
Whenever Eli displayed signs of his growing frustration with the case, Noelle did her best to ease the tension in his muscles with neck massages or by coaxing him to use yoga poses and breathing techniques to release his stress.
By the time they tumbled into bed that evening, the therapeutic touches and collaborative deep breathing had worked them both into a state of arousal that they satisfied by making love late into the night.
Noelle spent Sunday with a twist of confused emotions in the pit of her stomach. The renewed passion between them had both refueled her affection for Eli and fed the fear that she’d lost control of her feelings. She was certain she’d set herself up for another devastating break from him.
Complicating this tempest inside her was the knowledge that she was going to be thrust into Eli’s huge family and closest friends for his mother’s party that evening.
She’d toyed with faking a headache or other illness to keep her home, but Eli’s eagerness for the family to meet her and vice versa was so palpable and endearing, she quashed her reluctance and mentally braced for the evening’s event.
Noelle offered to drive separately in her rental car to the party—the easier to make a quick escape if she needed—but Eli convinced her to ride with him in his Jeep.
“There’s a forecast for snow to start about the time we leave the party, and I’m betting my Renegade can better handle winter conditions on the roads. ”
They stopped at a local bakery near Eli’s house for their contribution to the family meal, where Noelle bought two loaves of freshly baked bread.
Eli shopped next door at a deli, choosing wine and cheeses for his family and Asher’s favorite pizza, which they dropped off at his partner’s house on their way to the party.
“Give me the latest on the case,” Asher asked, clearly bored out of his skull because of the concussion protocol that limited his entertainment options.
“Nothing you need to worry about. Concentrate on following doctor’s orders and getting back to work in a couple weeks,” Eli said.
Asher grumbled under his breath, especially when he heard they were headed to a Colton family party. “I’d kill to go with you. Colton gatherings are famously awesome, and all I have on my agenda tonight is staring at the old water spot on my ceiling and watching my toenails grow.”
Eli clapped him on the shoulder as they headed for the door. “Sorry, pal. Maybe another time. Get well and get back to the office. That’s your agenda right now. We need you.”
Several minutes later, as Noelle and Eli drove through the winter-darkened outskirts of Shelby, Eli angled a look at Noelle. He placed a hand on her knee and said, “I do remember that you’re an introvert, and I know parties like this are not comfortable for you.”
She flashed him a weak smile, grateful for that recognition.
“If it gets too much, tell me, and we’ll go.” He returned his gaze to the road. “I would like to stay through dinner, though, if that’s okay.”
She covered his hand with hers, a mellow comfort filling her, knowing he had her back and recognized her personal parameters. “Thanks.”
When he turned off the main road onto a narrow private lane, she steeled herself. She could handle a few hours with Eli’s family, one way or another. She owed him that much.
Once Eli had parked on the long driveway, already full of vehicles indicating the party was in full swing, Noelle gathered the loaves of bread. Eli carried his sack with several bottles of wine and the selection of cheeses as they climbed from his Renegade.
He held her free hand tightly as they approached the front door of his parents’ home.
The windows of the large two-story home glowed with golden light in the dark Alaskan evening like welcoming beacons.
Eli gave a perfunctory knock on the door but didn’t wait for an answer before opening it and ushering her inside.
Just as well he hadn’t waited, because the volume inside reminded Noelle of being at a sporting event.
Cheerful voices and laughter competed with each other in the crowded living room, and music, ABBA if she wasn’t mistaken, played over all the hullabaloo.
Noelle smiled, deciding the seventies’ musical group fit with the artistic and bohemian vibe she’d gotten from Sasha Colton earlier in the week.
Will Colton spotted them first and drew first Eli, then Noelle into a warm hug of welcome.
“I’m so glad you came with Eli, dear! Can I take your coat and purse?
We’re just throwing them all in the back bedroom, if you need it before the party breaks up.
” Will took the wine and cheese from Eli and flagged down a man of approximately his same age.
“Ryan, grab that bag from Noelle and take it to the kitchen, will you, bro?”
Noelle could see the resemblance between the older men even before Will addressed the man as bro.
Eli shook the man’s hand, saying, “How you doing, Uncle Ryan? Good to see you.”
Noelle and Ryan exchanged smiles and simple greetings as she handed him the bread. As she shed her coat and handed it over, Eli asked his father, “Is Lakin here yet? I want Noelle to be sure to meet her.”
Will twisted his mouth as he thought. “She is. I believe she was in the kitchen with Dove the last time I saw her. They were putting all the food on plates for folks to snack on.”
“Thanks.” Eli placed a hand at the small of Noelle’s back and ushered her past a trio of men who seemed deep in discussion about a recent hockey game.
“Why do you want me to meet Lakin especially?” she asked.
“I want you to meet everyone, but I think we should start with Lakin. Just…trust me.”
Before Noelle could say more, he guided her into a busy kitchen where savory aromas filled the air. Several women, including Eli’s mother, bustled about and chatted joyfully.
“Eli!” Sasha cried with a wide smile. “My hands are a mess, or I’d hug you!” She held her hands up to demonstrate the dark sticky-looking something she was kneading with her hands.
“Happy birthday, Mom,” Eli said as he made his way to his mother to kiss her cheek.
Noelle stayed close behind him and added her birthday greetings.
A young dark-haired woman—Inuit, Noelle guessed from her skin tone and beautiful bone structure—tried to squeeze past Eli, saying, “Tuck your butt in, Eli. I need to get by you.”
Instead, he turned to block her path more fully and waved a hand from Noelle to the now-frowning woman. “Let me introduce you first. Lakin, this is Noelle Harris. Noelle, my sister Lakin.”
Noelle blinked once, her only outward show of surprise. She kept a smile fixed on her face as she nodded to Lakin and offered a hand to shake while in her chest a wild fluttering started. This was Eli’s sister?
The questions began to roll through her brain like scrolling credits at the end of a movie. She had to intentionally quiet the noise in her head and focus on what Lakin was saying or else embarrass herself with her inattention.
“—so much about you. Please make yourself at home.”
“I’ve heard about you, as well,” Noelle returned. That was true, although Eli had never mentioned he had an Inuit sister. A previous marriage for Will or Sasha? Adoption?
Just then Lakin waved her arm, signaling across the room to a light-skinned Black man. The target of Lakin’s attention strode in through the back door with Parker, who announced, “The bonfire is ready! BYOM…bring your own marshmallows!”
“Troy, come here,” Lakin called. “I want you to meet Eli’s date.”
Noelle was still processing the moniker of Eli’s date, when Lakin tucked her arm through the Black man’s and lifted a starry-eyed gaze to him. “Noelle, this is my fiancé, Troy Amos. Troy, do you remember Eli talking about his college girlfriend, Noelle?” With her hand, Lakin gestured to Noelle.
Troy’s face lit. “I think I do, in fact. Wow, hi! Are you two back together?” He waved his index fingers between Eli and Noelle, his expression hopeful.
While Noelle fumbled, her mind spinning, Eli answered, “That’s still to be determined.”
Working to keep her smile in place while her mind and her gut spun, Noelle said, “I take it that means you’ve known Eli and the family for a long time.”
“Since I was ten and Troy was eleven.” Lakin leaned into Troy, and he hugged her close to his side. “Eli was already in college, but he talked about you so much when he came home for the holidays and summer, I felt like I’d met you. Everyone heard about Noelle!”
An odd buzzing filled Noelle’s head. Everyone heard about her… But what had he told them?
“Lakin, honey, will you let everyone in the living room know we are ready to serve plates, buffet-style?” Sasha asked.
Lakin touched Noelle’s arm as she headed off to do her mother’s bidding. “It was great to meet you. I hope we’ll get a chance to talk more later.”
“I, uh…yes. I’d like that.”
Noelle had questions for Lakin. Or Eli. No, it had to be Lakin.
She had to have a firsthand account of what life had been like growing up in this white family, how the Coltons had reacted to her Black boyfriend.
Only Lakin could give her the sort of personal insight she needed to weigh the true inclusiveness and acceptance of the Colton family.
And then it clicked. This was what Eli meant when he’d said he had to show her how he knew his family would love and accept her.
Perhaps he knew it wouldn’t be enough for him to say they had a racially integrated family.
He knew Noelle would want to experience the dynamic, see firsthand how seamlessly Lakin and Troy fit in the Colton dynamic.