Noah (The Mitchell/Healy Family #1)(49)
Author: Jennifer Foor

I didn’t get it.

We checked out of the hotel a little later on, and my cousin followed me back to Kentucky. She knew she’d be safe on the ranch, since you couldn’t enter without a code from the front gate. Besides, he knew he’d have to get through me to see her, and that wasn’t ever going to happen.

On top of having to worry about her, I still had to deal with my dad, and what happened at the party. Prank or not, I’d pissed him off enough to send him over the edge. I had no idea what I was driving back to, and had to consider that things weren’t going to smooth themselves over.

Lastly, I thought about Shalan. I wanted to know she was safe, and how the meeting went. I wanted to hear her voice again, not just to tell me off, but because when she spoke to me I felt like the only man on the planet.

It was going to take me a while to get over her, so it was a good thing that I had all the time in the world on my hands.

Noah

The house was dark when we pulled in. Bells got out of her car and walked behind me to the kitchen entrance. Mail sat on the kitchen table, courtesy of someone in the family bringing it from the road. There were no dishes in the sink, and a basket of clean clothes sat on the couch, folded.

“I think my mom’s been here.”

“I can’t believe she still does your laundry.”

“She doesn’t anymore.” I laughed. “Ain’t that why you’re here?”

Bells shoved me to the side and walked into the living room. “Fat chance. Be nice, or I’ll purposely dye all your whites pink.”

I took my bag and sat it on top of the washing machine, and then walked into my room to get a change of clothes. I needed a shower, because I still hadn’t washed off the champagne residue.

The back door opening and Bells running into my room stopped me dead in my tracks. “Someone’s here.”

I sat her down on my bed. “Stay here.”

Shirtless, I walked out toward the kitchen to see who had come in without knocking. Before I saw them, I knew it was family, otherwise we would have heard a car pulling down the gravel driveway.

My mother was standing at the table, talking to my father. It was hard to look at him, when silently I was preparing myself for him to go off on me.

My mom rushed over and grabbed my cheeks with one hand. “You had me worried.” She hugged me and I wrapped my arms around her, taking in the familiar scent of how her hair had smelled for as long as I could remember.

“I missed you too, but I am a grown man. I can take a couple days off from time to time.”

“Next time make sure it’s a planned vacation, son.”

My mother pulled away and shot my dad a look. I knew she was in control of this meet, and not him. Like plenty other times she’s gotten me out of trouble, my dad knew she was the real one in control of us kids.

“Okay. I will.”

“Where’s Isabella?” He started looking past me.

“Dad, she’s fine. I’ll explain later.”

Mom looked at dad and then back to me. “Sorry, Noah. I know you’re trying to protect her, but her parents are freaking out. Apparently they’ve been getting threats at the house, pertaining to Bella. We just need to know she’s alright.”

“For once I need you to trust me. She’s fine. She just doesn’t want to talk to anyone, that’s all.”

My dad, being my dad, pushed past me and went toward the first bedroom, which happened to be mine. We followed him and watched him push open the door. Before I could say anything I knew he’d seen her face. “God damn it, Bella. Who did this to you?”

My mom walked in next, gasping and rushing to my cousin’s side. “Sweetie, are you okay? Does it hurt?”

“I’m okay,” Bells started to cry. I knew she was so embarrassed.

Right away my dad was on his phone. “Yeah, it’s me. She’s here and -.”

I started waving my hands in front of him, shaking my head and pleading with him to not tell them how bad it was.

“And she’s fine.” He paused for a moment, probably listening to my aunt or uncle. “Hang on.” He handed Bells the phone. “They need to know you’re alright, darlin’.”

Bells stood up and took the phone into the other room. We could hear her crying as she spoke.

I looked at my dad. “Thanks. She doesn’t want them to worry.”

“Noah, I don’t know what’s goin’ on, but that shit ain’t right. Is she in trouble?”

“Sweetie, is there anything we need to know?” My mother knew how to ask to keep the peace, while my dad used his stature to be in control of the situation. He was also too familiar with Bella and the drama that followed her.

“I found her like this at a hotel. I don’t know much,” I lied. “My first priority was to get her here safely. She looks like hell, but seems to be managing alright.”

My dad whispered, “Did that kid do this to her? I never liked him. He reminds me too much of someone her mother used to date.”

“I don’t think it was him, but to be honest, I’m not sure she’d tell me if it was. I believe her when she tells me it wasn’t him. Still, I think he’s capable of a lot worse.”

My dad shocked me. He put his hand on my shoulder. “We’ve got to have a talk about what happened between us, but you did the right thing by your cousin. I’m glad you know what’s important to this family.”

“I’d never let anything happen to her, you know that.”

Bells came back into the room, only to meet my mother’s open arms. Even as adults, I think we still needed our family the same as we always had. Perhaps it was weird, and most grown people didn’t stay close. After three days away from my family, I took notice of the way it felt to know they were there for us, no matter what. Even my dad, who was being pretty tame about the whole ordeal, in light of my cousin’s situation.

“Thanks for not tellin’ my dad, Uncle Colt.”

“Bella, I don’t know what’s goin’ on with you, but you’re safe here. I’m sure Noah’s told you to stay as long as you need to.”

Bells looked over at me. “Actually, he asked me to move in last week. I hope it’s okay. I haven’t told my parents yet, but I will, I promise.”

My parents looked at each other with matching concerned faces. My dad cleared his throat and spoke up first. “Make sure they know sooner than later. I don’t want to know more than they do about their only daughter.”