Chapter 30
Piper
“This is a great meal, Ms. Ellis.”
“I told you to call me Penelope, Everett,” my mom said with a semi-flirtatious smile at him. “And it’s nothing fancy. Just my chicken pot pie. Mom loves it.”
“I can see why.”
I shook my head. He had both Gram and Mom eating out of the palm of his hand.
“You okay, Gram?” I asked.
At the head of the table, my grandmother turned and smiled.
I was so glad she was home. We’d brought her home from the hospital in the late afternoon to the cute Victorian house with wrap-around porch I’d spent my teenage years in.
She already had more color in her cheeks, although she looked tired.
Everett had moved an armchair in from the living room, and she looked like a queen sitting on her throne.
She had a throw blanket my mom had knitted resting over her lap.
“I’m fine, just not very hungry, doll.”
She’d picked at her food. Worry still felt like restless butterflies in my stomach.
“Your appetite will come back after good night’s sleep in your own bed, Gram,” Everett said. “It’s hard to get any rest in a hospital.” Under the table, he placed a hand on my thigh and squeezed.
I smiled at him. I was glad he was here. I barely remembered the flight, and he’d arranged everything to get me here safely.
“So true, Everett.” Gram’s gaze narrowed. “You’ve experienced sleeping in hospitals?”
“My mom died of cancer a few years back. The last month, I spent quite a few nights beside her bed in the hospital.”
“I’m sorry to hear you lost your mother,” Gram said quietly.
“Me too, Everett,” my mom murmured.
I pressed my hand over his.
“She was the best, and she left me with lots of good memories and the ability to cook some very good meals. Piper can attest to that.”
“I can.”
“After college, I had a job in California, but I came home to be with her and dad when she got sick. Then I realized that home is where I was supposed to be.”
My mom and Gram sighed.
“You’re a good boy,” Gram said.
My eyebrows rose. At six foot three inches, I didn’t think Everett could be called a boy.
Gram smiled. “And now you’re taking care of our girl.”
“I am. The first time I met her, she fell into my arms.”
I gasped. “I did not.”
“Slipped while wearing a pair of those sky-high heels she loves.”
Gram snorted, and mom smiled widely.
“There was a wet patch on the floor,” I told them.
“And a wet floor sign that you marched right past. I saved your life.”
Something inside me warmed. “Okay, maybe you did.” Not when I’d slipped on the floor, but he’d certainly saved me since.
When I glanced over, I saw Gram and Mom were lapping this up, hope in their eyes. Unease prickled at me. I didn’t want them to get the wrong idea. I cleared my throat and nudged Everett. “I’m sure you’ll be glad to see the back of me when I finally finish up at the Langston Windward.”
His smile flattened. “I guess.”
Mom and Gram’s smiles disappeared.
“I’d better clear up.” Mom rose and started stacking dirty plates.
I started to rise as well. “I’ll help.”
“No, Piper. You keep Gram and Everett company.” She bustled around and then into the kitchen.
Finally, Mom returned with a plate of cookies. “I didn’t have time to make dessert, so we’ll have to make do with store-bought cookies. I’ll just go and get Mom’s tea.” She headed back to the kitchen.
That’s when Everett leaned in. He lowered his voice. “You need to tell them about Chance.”
“No.” I tried to keep my voice down. Gram’s eyes were closed and she looked relaxed. “Gram just got out of the hospital.”
“What if he turns up here? That would be a bigger shock. And we both know it will be even worse if Rocha’s men come sniffing around.”
I felt the color slide from my cheeks.
“Babe.” He tucked some of my hair behind my ear. “They deserve to know.”
“Piper Marie, what’s going on?”
Mom’s voice was sharp. Her gaze locked on me as she walked back into the room holding a cup of tea. Gram’s eyes were open now and she was watching me.
“Piper?” Mom prompted, setting the cup down.
“It’s about your son,” Everett said.
I shot him a dirty look.
“What about Chance?” My mom dropped heavily into a chair. “He hasn’t been answering any of my messages.”
“I’m handling it,” I told them. “I don’t want you or Gram to worry.”
“Piper, I’m an adult,” my mom said.
“And so am I,” Gram added tartly.
“Gram doesn’t need the stress. Neither of you do.”
My mom leaned over and cupped my cheek. “My lovely girl, I leaned on you far too much when you were younger. You were always so responsible. Too responsible. And you work too hard.”
“Mom…”
“Tell me.”
I let out a breath. “He’s in debt. Gambling debt.”
Neither of them looked shocked. Mom sat back in her hair, and Gram looked disappointed.
“Big debt, Mom. Something he can’t hustle his way out of. And some not-so-nice guys are after him.”
“Lord.” Gram shook her head. “That boy.”
“And he brought his trouble to your doorstep,” my mom said quietly.
“He did,” Everett answered. “She’s been threatened.”
Mom and Gram gasped. At least he didn’t tell them the full extent of the attacks.
“I’m fine,” I rushed to assure them.
Mom looked at the bandage on my arm. “What’s under there?”
I squirmed in my chair, not wanting to answer.
“A knife wound. Five stitches.”
“Everett,” I snapped.
“Let him speak,” Mom said. “I trust him not to hide things from me.”
“I’m trying to take care of you two, and help Chance—”
“Don’t,” Mom clipped out. “Let Chance deal with it. It’s time he learned.”
“Mom…”
“It’s hard. So hard to see someone you love travel this kind of path. But all we can do is love him, be there for him when he asks for help. If he keeps making terrible choices, they’re his choices to make.”
“We wanted you to know,” Everett said. “In case he comes here, or you’re contacted by the man he owes money to.”
Mom nodded. “Thank you, Everett. Thank you again for having my daughter’s back.”
I reached over the table and took her hand. “Mom, I’m worried.”
“You’re not to worry about us anymore.”
“If there is even a small chance you and Gram could be in danger, I’m going to worry.”
“I’ll talk to David next door. He’s a retired cop and he has friends. He’ll take care of us.” She glanced at Gram, whose eyelids were dropping. “Mom, you need some sleep. Time for bed. Piper, I made up the bed in your room with fresh sheets.”
“Thanks, Mom. I can make up the sofa bed in the den for Everett.”
My mom shot me a faint smile. “If you think I don’t know that man is going to sleep in your bed with you, you’re crazy.”
“Mom!”
She helped Gram get out of the armchair. My grandmother was grinning.
“Sleep well,” Mom said. “Both of you. We’ll see you in the morning.”
“I like your room.”
I watched Everett wander around my childhood bedroom. Mom and Gram had redecorated after I’d graduated from high school. It was painted a soothing green with a pretty white comforter on the queen-sized bed. But my favorite framed photos still cluttered the dresser. He picked one up and grinned.
“You were a cheerleader.”
“For one season. Amanda Adler, my arch-rival, said I’d never make the team.” I sniffed. “I had to prove her wrong. I hated every minute of it. I decided to spend my time studying more the following year.”
“You looked cute in your uniform.” He set the frame down.
“I’m going to use the bathroom.” I gathered my pajamas and toiletries from my suitcase, then slipped across the hall.
I’d already checked on Mom and Gram. Gram was thankfully sleeping peacefully.
I looked in the mirror above the sink. I had dark circles under my eyes and needed some sleep myself. Damn, I was so, so happy Gram was all right.
At first, I’d been annoyed Everett had shared about Chance, but honestly, I felt relieved they knew.
After I’d brushed my teeth and changed, I headed back to the bedroom. Just the bedside lamp was on now, and Everett had changed. He wore long, dark-blue pajama pants and a white T-shirt that clung to every inch of his chest. My mouth went dry.
His gaze wandered over me. I wore a silky nightshirt that buttoned up the front and hit at mid-thigh. It was blue and white striped. My hair was loose.
“Classy.” He held up his toothbrush. “I’ll be back in a minute.”
I climbed into the bed, unable to compute that I’d be sharing my childhood bedroom with Everett. I snuggled into the pillow.
I was glad he was here. He’d helped me hold it together, and my mom and grandmother loved him. They’d be sad when he was no longer a part of my life.
He returned, sliding into the bed beside me.
“Mmm.” He tugged me into his arms. “We both need some sleep.”
“We do. Neither of us got much last night, and it’s been a long day.”
A big hand slid up my leg and under my nightshirt. Instantly, I felt warm sensations flutter over my skin.
“Everett, my mother and grandmother are just down the hall,” I whispered.
“So they are.”
“We can’t fool around.”
His fingers slid into my panties, and I gasped. When he found my clit and rolled, I bit back a moan.
“Yes, we can.”
“Everett…”
“I’m still hungry, Piper, and what I want to eat is you.” He pushed the covers back, his body sliding down mine. “Until you come apart for me.”
I let my legs drop open and moaned.
“You’ll have to stay quiet,” he warned. “You can get pretty noisy.”
I sank my hand in his hair as I felt him slip my panties down my legs. I looked down at him, this gorgeous, vital man, ready to take care of me again.
The corner of his lips quirked. “You going to stay quiet?”
I nodded. Damn, I was so easy for him.
“Good.” He planted a kiss to my thigh, then his mouth was on me.
I bit my lip and arched into him.
Then he proceeded to rock my world, and I did my best to be as quiet as possible.