Chapter Seven
EFFA
As we head further out of Pittsburgh, I start to get the faintest inkling of where we might be going, but I refuse to let myself get carried away.
I’ve learned the hard way that hope can feel fragile.
It’s not until I see the sign reading ‘Welcome to Ligonier’ that my smile stretches so wide it almost hurts.
I turn toward Mercs, placing my hands on his chest, and grin up at him. “Are we staying with Gran and Kiera?” I ask, and he chuckles, giving me a subtle nod.
Excitement floods through me, and I bounce on the seat like a child while everyone laughs, Mercs included. “I thought you’d like this idea.”
My head snaps toward him. “Like it? I love it. Dad and Lettie get to meet Gran and Kiera. This is amazing.”
“Everyone gets to meet them. They’re all staying at the Inn at the end of the street so that they won’t be too far from us. And we’re only an hour from your specialists in Pittsburgh for your appointments.”
“This is just too perfect.”
“They better have Wi-Fi. That’s all I’m saying,” Kristy blurts, and I smile at her.
The Hummer pulls up in front of Gran’s house, and my excitement kicks up another notch. “We’re here,” I call out, unable to hide the thrill in my voice, and everyone laughs at me again.
“Okay, baby girl, you go in with the kid and get settled. We’ll all catch up once you’re reacquainted,” Dad instructs.
I pout automatically.
“Oh, don’t pout at me. We don’t want to overwhelm them with all of us just yet. You go and settle in, and we’ll see you tonight for a welcome-home dinner. Okay?”
I nod, smiling, as Mercs grabs my bunch of flowers and starts to climb out.
Dad reaches forward and catches Mercs’ arm. “You watch her… like a hawk. If you see anything that needs medical attention, call an ambulance. You hear me?”
“Dad,” I protest.
“You hear me?” he reiterates.
Mercs’ expression turns firm, not fearful, not resentful, just steady and resolved with that quiet alpha intensity he carries so effortlessly, the kind that doesn’t need volume to command respect. “Yes, sir.”
There’s no hesitation in him. He is completely on board with the idea of watching me like a hawk. I should have known that, but it’s comforting that Dad and Mercs are standing shoulder to shoulder instead of circling each other. Knowing they’re on the same page feels better than I expected.
“Have a great time, honey. We’ll see you tonight,” Lettie chimes, blowing me a kiss.
“Love you all,” I call back.
Mercs and I slide out of the Hummer, and Raoul meets us with a small grin before he walks us toward the front door.
“Your luggage will arrive shortly. It’s coming separately. If you need anything at all, I’ll be only a phone call away. I’m just down the street. I don’t anticipate anything happening while we’re here, but I have Cooper coming down too, just in case.”
I reach out and pat his arm gently. “Thank you, Raoul. What would we do without you?”
He offers a thin smile as Mercs rings the doorbell.
Not ten seconds later, the door swings open to a shriek.
I jump back in surprise and snap my head toward the doorway to find Kiera bouncing in place, her energy practically vibrating off her.
She looks tired beneath her excitement, but her smile is wider than I’ve ever seen it.
She lunges forward and wraps her arms around me, squeezing tight and swaying us side to side. “Holy shit. I’m so happy you’re okay. You scared the hell out of me,” she gushes.
I hug her back as tightly as I can manage, though the short walk from the car has already left me a little breathless. “I’m sorry I scared you, Kiera. But I’m glad I’m here, and I get to see you again.”
“What the hell is all this screaming?” Gran calls out, hurrying down the hall.
She spots us and her whole face lights up.
“Oh… I see now. Come here, you two. I’ve missed you.
And you scared us half to death.” She folds one arm around Mercs and the other around Kiera and me, and we collapse into a tangled group hug.
I can’t help giggling because being wrapped up in them like this feels right.
It feels like home. Like this is my other family, and I belong here.
“Okay, I can see you’re all set. I’ll head back to the Hummer. Call if you need anything, Effa,” Raoul states, already retreating toward the car.
“Thanks, Raoul,” I reply softly.
I know he still carries guilt about what happened. About leaving me alone long enough for Jett to get to me. But it wasn’t his fault, and he needs to believe that.
Gran ushers us inside, and Mercs shuts the door behind us.
“So tell me, are you really doing as well as Kaden says you are, sweetheart?” Gran asks as we move past the stairs and into the kitchen.
“I think so,” I answer with a small smile. “I’m tired a lot, but the doctors say that’s to be expected. Other than that, we haven’t noticed anything except the lethargy, and they believe that should pass after a couple of months of proper rest.”
“Well, that’s what we’re here for… rest and recuperation. You take as long as you need, Effa. The longer you and my boy stay, the happier I am,” Gran beams, moving toward the kettle.
I glance at Mercs, who sets my flowers on the bench with a knowing smile.
“So, who was that hot French guy?” Kiera asks suddenly.
Mercs’ eyes widen, and he starts shaking his head while I laugh.
“That’s Raoul. He’s my security guard. He’s super-hot, isn’t he?” I tease.
“Wait. What?” Mercs blurts, his brow furrowing as Kiera and I burst out laughing. I wink at him while he keeps shaking his head. “Kiera, no. Just no.”
She scoffs and waves him off as she heads toward the stairs. “Pfft. You’re my older brother, not my boss.” She pauses halfway up. “Is Raoul single, Effa?”
I giggle as she disappears up the staircase.
“Do. Not. Answer. That,” Mercs warns.
“Yes,” I call back.
He groans and drags his hands over his face while Gran chuckles and fills the kettle.
“Let her be, Kaden. She’s only young once. It’s nice to see her crushing on someone,” Gran says.
Mercs lowers his voice. “She’s also very sick and doesn’t need the distraction.”
I step closer and rest my hand on his arm. “Sometimes a distraction from something negative can turn into something positive. Let her have her crush, Mercs. It won’t hurt anything.”
He exhales sharply. “Until he breaks her heart and sends her spiraling into a pit of despair. Absolutely not.”
Gran hums under her breath. “Your faith in mankind is remarkable, sweetheart.”
I grin. “There’s no man alive good enough for Kiera. Right, Kaden?”
He pretends to think it over before nodding with a smirk. “You’re right. She can never date. I’ll make that official when she comes back down.”
“Who needs an overbearing father when you have Kaden Mercury,” I tease.
The doorbell rings again, cutting through the laughter.
“That’ll be the luggage. I’ll get it and take it upstairs. You stay right there and relax,” Mercs says, leaning down to press a soft kiss to my temple.
Turning back to Gran, I watch her pour the boiling water over the tea bags. The familiar scent wraps around me, grounding and warm. It feels so good to be back here. I wish it were under different circumstances, but I’m grateful to be surrounded by this kind of love.
“I’m sorry, I scared everyone. I know you must think less of me for what happened.”
Gran lifts her hand gently, stopping me.
“Why would I ever think less of you, sweetheart? What Jett did was reprehensible. You did not ask for it. Kaden told me a little about what was happening, and from what I understand, Jett was determined to manipulate you one way or another. You played no part in what happened to you.”
I swallow. “What if I led him on somehow? Made him believe I wanted him?”
Gran reaches across the counter and takes my hand.
“Effa, I know you. You love openly. You see the good in people. Jett twisted that into something dark, and that is on him, not you. No one else has tried to exploit your generous heart the way he did. He is the villain here, not you. If you keep blaming yourself, it will eat you alive.” She gives me such a warm smile before continuing, “The way you open your heart is a gift. Do not let one insignificant man change who you are.”
Emotion swells in my chest, and I squeeze her hand. “Thanks, Gran. You always know exactly what to say.”
“Of course I do. Now stop fretting and drink your tea.”
She hands me a colorful mug covered in daisies with a warm smile just as Mercs climbs the stairs with our luggage.
I watch him go, my chest tightening for a different reason.
I haven’t told him about the doubts that still creep in at night, because I know exactly what he would say.
He would tell me it was all Jett’s fault.
He would tell me I had no responsibility for what happened. He would defend me without hesitation.
Talking to Gran felt safer somehow, like she would give me the truth instead of protection. And now that she has, I feel lighter. Knowing I didn’t do anything to invite what happened eases something deep inside me.
Gran might just be a superhero in disguise.
And I think I finally understand why Mercs brought me here. He knew I needed quiet, comfort, and a place where the air doesn’t feel heavy.
He knows me so well.
I’m unbelievably lucky to have a man beside me who understands exactly what I need, sometimes before even I do.
And that brings a smile to my face.
***
After settling in at the house for a few hours, it’s finally time for dinner, and Gran, Kiera, Mercs, and I are meeting the rest of the gang, along with my parents, at the local pub for a casual meet-and-greet and some much-needed food.