Chapter 31 Elyse
ELYSE
I'd been sitting on the message for days.
Somehow, those unread messages on Facebook felt less like a commitment than actually reading them.
I'd peeked at the preview window when the notification first came in, but seeing the words "Please help me.
I think my husband is cheating" was enough to send me into a spiral of indecision.
Drew had been crystal clear about his feelings on my extracurricular activities. The rest of the Sensational Six had staged what could only be described as an intervention. I knew I should let this request fade into the background of my Facebook message requests.
And yet.
It wasn't in my nature to ignore someone in need.
I couldn't help remembering the absolute gut-punch feeling when Francine had shown up at my door with my husband's baby.
If someone had tipped me off before that moment, would it have hurt less?
Would I have been able to prepare myself for the nuclear bomb that was about to detonate in my living room?
I tucked my phone into my pocket and finished putting away the romance novels I'd been shelving.
Romance novels. Ha! Not that I had anything against them (Grace's were flying off the shelves) but I'd become a little jaded about the whole happily-ever-after thing.
Thank God I'd found Drew and gotten my second chance at forever.
The bell above the door jingled, and I looked up to see Holly bounding in, her pink hair now adorned with purple tips.
"What do you think?" she asked, twirling for effect.
"Very you," I replied with a smile. "Did Jenna give you time off today?"
"She's catering some bridal shower and doesn't need me until three. I thought I'd hang out here until then." She plopped down in one of the oversized chairs near the register and pulled out her phone.
"That'd be nice," I said, meaning it. Having Holly around kept me out of trouble, or at least distracted from the temptation sitting in my Facebook messages.
We worked in companionable silence for about an hour, me arranging displays and ringing up the occasional customer, Holly alternating between scrolling on her phone and shelving the stacks of books I'd piled up for her.
"Aunt Elyse?" Holly's voice broke the silence.
"Hmm?" I was halfway up a ladder, trying to fix the string of lights that kept shorting out above the children's section.
"Are you and Uncle Drew really going to adopt me? For real, I mean?"
The question nearly sent me tumbling off the ladder. I steadied myself and looked down at her, noting the vulnerability in her eyes. My heart stuttered in my chest.
"Is that for sure something you'd want, Holly?" I asked carefully, making my way back down the ladder.
She shrugged, suddenly fascinated with a thread on her shorts. "Maybe. I mean, I already live with you guys, and Mom..." She trailed off, swallowing hard. "Mom doesn't seem like she's coming back this time."
I crossed to her and gently lifted her chin until her eyes met mine. "Holly, you should know that Uncle Drew and I love you like you're our own. We've actually been talking about formal adoption, but we didn't want to push you before you were ready to think about it."
"Really?" Her voice was small, hopeful.
"Really," I confirmed. "Why don't we talk more about this tonight with Uncle Drew? He's coming home early from his trip."
She nodded, a ghost of a smile playing at her lips. "Okay."
The bell above the door jingled again, saving us from the emotional tsunami that was threatening to overtake us both. It was Cat, carrying a tray of what smelled like Jenna's famous honey lavender scones.
"I come bearing carbs," she announced, setting the tray on the counter. "Holly, Jenna said you're helping her after the Wilson bridal shower today? These are the test batch she asked me to take around town to collect feedback. Let me know what you think."
Holly grabbed one eagerly, taking a massive bite. "Oh my gosh," she mumbled through crumbs. "These are incredible."
Cat beamed. "Great! She's ordered three dozen for today."
While Holly was distracted by the pastry, Cat sidled up to me. "How are you doing?" she asked quietly.
"Fine," I replied automatically.
"Elyse." Her tone carried a warning.
I sighed. "I'm actually doing okay. Just focusing on Holly and the store. Drew's coming home tonight."
"Good," she said, studying my face. "You're not...?"
"No," I said firmly. "No more detective work."
The lie tasted bitter on my tongue. I hadn't actually decided what to do about the Facebook message yet.
"I'm glad to hear it," Cat said, seemingly satisfied. "Listen, I've got to run, but Sarah wanted me to remind you about book club at her place on Thursday. And Allison wants to know if Holly can babysit Noah on Friday."
"I'll check with Holly about Friday," I said, glancing over at my niece, who was now on her second scone. "And I'll tell Sarah we'll be there Thursday."
After Cat left, Holly helped me straighten up the fiction section, and then it was time for her to head to Jenna's.
I watched her bounce out the door, thinking about how much she'd come to feel like my own daughter in the short time she'd been with us.
The thought of officially adopting her filled me with a joy I hadn't expected.
Once I was alone, I pulled out my phone and opened Facebook. The message was still there, waiting for a response. I tapped on it and read the full text:
I've heard you help women like me. My husband works late three nights a week but comes home smelling like perfume. He says it's from the receptionist who hugs everyone, but I found hotel receipts in his car. We have three kids. I can't just leave, but I need to know the truth. Can you help me?
My thumb hovered over the reply button. I thought about Drew's worried face, about Holly asking if we'd adopt her, about the confrontation that had nearly happened at Frenchy's the other day.
Then I thought about what my life would have been like if I'd known the truth about Frank sooner.
Before I could talk myself out of it, I typed a response:
I can help, but this will be my last case. When and where does he say he's working late?
I hit send before I could change my mind.
My phone dinged almost immediately with her response:
Thank you! He's supposedly working late tomorrow night at the office park on Gulf Boulevard. Says he'll be there until at least ten p.m.
Tomorrow night. Drew would be home, but it was our regular date night. We usually went to dinner at seven and were home by nine.
An idea began to form. What if I could do both? Help this woman AND have a date night with Drew? He'd never have to know about my little detour after dinner.
I quickly typed back:
I'll check it out. Send me a photo of him and the address. I'll be in touch.
As I put my phone away, I felt a familiar rush of adrenaline. One last case, I promised myself. After this, I'd hang up my amateur detective hat for good and focus on being the best wife to Drew and the best mom to Holly that I could possibly be.
Speaking of Drew...
I needed to plan our date night. I pulled out my phone again and made a reservation at our favorite seafood place on the beach.
Seven o'clock, perfect timing. We could be home by eight-thirty, and I could tell Drew I wanted to take a walk alone on the beach.
It wouldn't be out of the ordinary, and the office park was only a five-minute drive from there.
I could be there by eight forty-five, get what I needed, and be home before Drew even thought to worry.
What could possibly go wrong?
Dinner with Drew was perfect, as always, and the conversation flowed easily between us. I almost forgot about my plans for after dinner as we shared coconut shrimp and swapped stories about our time apart.
"Holly's really doing well at the bakery," I told him as we lingered over dessert. "Jenna says she's a natural."
"That's great," Drew said, reaching across the table to take my hand. "And how are things with you? Anything exciting happen while I was gone?"
I hesitated for just a moment. "Holly asked if we're really going to adopt her."
Drew's eyes widened. "What did you tell her?"
"That we've been thinking about it, but didn't want to push her before she was ready." I squeezed his hand. "She seemed... hopeful."
A smile spread across Drew's face, the kind that made his eyes crinkle at the corners. "I think that's a sign, Elyse. Maybe it's time to talk to a lawyer about making it official."
My heart swelled. "I think so too."
"Let's talk to her together tonight," he suggested. "See where her head's at."
I nodded, suddenly feeling guilty about what I was planning to do next. This was what mattered: Drew, Holly, our family. Not playing detective for strangers.
But I'd made a promise to that woman. One last case, and then I'd be done for good.
I glanced at my watch. It was too late for my original plan. "How about a walk on the beach before we head home?" I suggested, trying to keep my voice casual. "It's such a beautiful night."
Drew slid his phone out of his pocket and looked at the time. "Sure, we've got time. Let me just get the check."
Twenty minutes later, we were strolling along the shoreline, our shoes in hand as the waves lapped at our ankles. The sun was beginning to set, painting the sky in brilliant oranges and pinks. Drew had his arm around my shoulder, and I leaned into him, savoring the moment.
"I missed you," he murmured into my hair.
"I missed you too," I replied, and I meant it. The guilt was really starting to eat at me now.
We walked for about fifteen minutes before I made my move. "I think I left my phone in the car," I said, patting my pockets for effect. "Would you mind if we head back to the car?”
Drew looked a little disappointed but nodded. "Sure, no problem."