Blind Trust by Natalie Walters

Author:Natalie Walters
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Romantic Suspense;Novel;FIC042060
Publisher: Baker Publishing Group
Published: 2023-02-24T00:00:00+00:00

17

Lyla finished tying her shoes and glanced out the second-story window of Jack and Brynn’s home. The neighborhood was quiet for a Sunday morning, families readying themselves for church or tucked warmly into their homes enjoying brunch. Safe.

Did her parents and grandparents feel the same way waking up this morning? Her chest burned with the emotion she’d been holding back. Fear for her family, anger at Jerry, and guilt. Lord, forgive me for endangering them. Please keep them safe.

She swallowed. When was the last time she prayed over her family? Their safety? It wasn’t like she avoided prayer . . . she just didn’t do it. So why now?

Because I’m desperate to keep my family safe.

On the dresser, her cell phone vibrated. She glanced upward as if God could see her smirk. Then answered her phone.

“Hey, Mom.”

“Lyla, honey, how are you? Are you okay? How are you feeling?” Her mother’s questions came out in a rush of concern that caused her throat to burn. “How’s your head? Do you know the signs of a concussion? I told Tom—”

“I’m okay, Mom.” Lyla grabbed a bottle of pain medicine from her overnight bag. She shook out two pills and swallowed them without water. “How are you?”

“We’re, uh . . . we’re fine.”

Something was wrong. “What is it, Mom? What’s wrong?”

“It’s nothing.” Her voice grew quiet. “Everything is fine now.”

Lyla dropped the bottle of pills back in her bag. “What do you mean everything is fine now?”

Her mother’s exhale filled the phone. “Etta was having some chest pain, but her doctor came by and checked her out. She’s fine but needs to rest.”

“What?” Lyla sat on the edge of the bed. Etta had a massive heart attack a year ago and another mild heart attack earlier this year. “What did her doctor say? Shouldn’t she be in the hospital where they can monitor her?”

“Dr. Korsh said she’s fine to stay with us so long as we keep her rested and calm.”

Lyla twisted her lips to the side to keep the emotion brimming at bay. This was her fault. All of it. “Mom, I’m so sorry. I never meant for this to happen and—”

“Honey, it’s not your fault.” Her mother’s soothing tone barely touched the surface of Lyla’s guilt. “I told Etta to let me handle the hunt, but she insisted and it was too much.”

She sniffled. “Mom, it’s more than that.”

Several seconds ticked off, and Lyla wondered if her mom’s attempt to allay her guilt was out of matriarchal duty. If something happened to Etta, would her mom hold her responsible? Would that be the thing that pushed her mom to stop loving her? To be reminded that Lyla was just too much. A tingle began at the back of her throat at how quickly the insecurities of her youth came flooding back. It didn’t help that she’d shared some of her childhood uncertainty with Nicolás. She ran her fingers against her palm, the memory of him reaching for her hand, reassuring her without saying a word.

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