The Ensnared Collection by Jade Kerrion

Author:Jade Kerrion [Kerrion, Jade]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 978-1-948642-02-6
Publisher: ATM Press

Chapter 3

Noelle’s first full day back in Havre de Grace was spent ushering an endless stream of neighbors into the living room where her father rested on an overstuffed chaise lounge. By the end of the day, she had grown tired of telling visitors what she did in Los Angeles—“freelance creative design”—and promising to convey their best wishes to her mother. Everyone chastised her on staying away for so long. She apologized but made it a point not to promise to return more frequently.

The sun was setting when she saw the last visitor, Mrs. Metcalf, to the door. The rotund woman trotted down the path, relieved of the massive strawberry shortcake she had brought for the Langfords.

Noelle sighed with relief, but her smile did not slip. She had forgotten the inherent kindness that formed the undercurrent of small communities. The refrigerator swelled with prepared meals, and the kitchen counter was invisible beneath trays of lasagna and containers of chicken soup. She returned to her father’s side. “Can I fix a plate for you?”

“Not just yet.” He leaned his head back. His voice drooped. “Come sit with me. Tell me about how you’re really doing.”

The doorbell rang.

Noelle rolled her eyes as she marched to the door. She flung the door open. Her irritation dropped away in a flash. “Dr. Bradley.”

“Connor. When I hear Dr. Bradley, I look over my shoulder for my dad.” His smile dug a dimple into his cheek. “May I come in?”

“Of course.”

As he shrugged off his leather jacket, she caught the oddest whiff of scents—aftershave and antiseptics—but it suited him.

“How’s your father doing?” he asked.

She jerked her head in the direction of the living room. “Take a look for yourself.” She was about to close the door when her sister walked up the path. Noelle leaned against the door to keep it open, surprised by the happy thrill of seeing the ones she loved doing something as mundane as returning from work. I’ve been too long away from home.

Holly smiled as she stepped into the house. “How was your first day back?”

“I think the entire town stopped by to say hi. I amazed myself by the number of names I did remember.” Noelle grinned.

Holly tilted her head at the low murmur of voices in the living room. “Is that Connor with Dad?”

Noelle nodded.

“How did he do today?”

“He did just fine. I bet the visits wore him out more than anything else.”

Holly walked into the kitchen and shrugged the tote bag off her shoulders. She surveyed the spread of food. “I see we won’t have to cook for about a month. Did Mrs. Cutter bring brownies?”

Noelle chuckled. “You bet she did. She brought French Vanilla ice cream too. Good thing no one in this household is actually diabetic.” She glanced up at the sound of the front door closing.

“Oh, shoot.” Holly scurried to the door but Connor had already left.

“What’s the problem?” Noelle asked as her sister returned to the kitchen with a hint of a frown on her face.

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