Her Touch(24)

“Major is missing.”

My stomach drops at his words, but somehow I remain standing. I don’t know how long I stand there trying to process it. My dad is missing?

“All I know is he went dark over twenty-four hours ago and they can’t locate him. Nor has he contacted them,” he adds. “Oh, sunshine, don’t cry. You know Major is coming back. Nothing can stop him. I think we both know that.”

I didn’t even realize I was crying. I believe Eli. It would take the world going up in flames for my dad to not come home. I take a deep breath and step back from Eli.

“Thank you for letting me know.” He just stands there, not moving. “Please lock the door on your way out,” I add.

“Sunshine, I’m not going anywhere.”

My eyes narrow on him, and I know we are about to square up for a fight.

“I don’t want you here. Even less so knowing the only reason you came here was to give me the news about my dad. I’ll be fine. I have Alice.”

He shakes his head. “This isn’t up for debate.”

“You know what—” I snap back, but he cuts me off.

“According to the law, you’re mine now.”





Chapter 12





Eli




“What are you talking about, Eli?”

Her flushed cheeks and clenched fists should make me wary. But instead I’m turned on like I’ve never been in my life. Seeing her in person, holding her against me, smelling her sweet scent. It’s all too damn much, and I can’t stand the space between us.

I reach in my back pocket and pull out the paper and hold it out to her. “Major had his living will changed so that if anything ever happened to him and he couldn’t get home, I was your legal guardian.”

Her hand is shaky as she unclenches her fist and jerks the paper out of my hand. She is pissed off, and I absolutely hate it. I knew that my leaving wouldn’t be easy on her, but I had hoped that knowing one day I’d come back for her would help.

She scans the document and shoves it against my chest as she storms past me and into her bedroom. I follow her step for step until I get to her entryway and stop. I know that going into her private space without permission would cross some kind of line, and I don’t want her to be threatened. I want her to feel everything I feel for her, but that may never happen.

“Maggie,” I say, hating that she doesn’t want me to use her nickname. “Let’s talk.”

“I don’t have anything to say to you right now,” she says, and turns her back on me.

“That’s fine. But I’ve got things I need to say to you.” I still don’t take a step into her room. I know there will never be an easy way to apologize for what I’ve done or to help comfort her while her dad is missing. “I’m sorry I left the way I did. I thought that it would be for the best. I never meant to hurt you, Maggie. I was told today about Major, and you and I both know there are things about his job that can’t be discussed. They’re supposed to call us tonight and give us any updates they have on the situation. You and I have a lot to talk about, and maybe now isn’t the time for all of that. But at least while we are going through this, let me help. I’m here, and I care about Major just as much as you do. I won’t let you go through this alone. Please don’t let me, either.”

I see her take a breath, and then her shoulders fall. It’s as if the anger visibly leaves her, and some of the tightness in my chest releases. I wait a moment, letting her decide if she wants to speak, and watch as she turns around to face me.

“You’re right. It’s about the Major right now, and we need to focus on that. Alice should be home soon, and I’ll make us something to eat while we wait on the phone call.” She looks around the room and then back at me. “She took your old room, so if you’re staying I guess you can take Dad’s room—”

“I’ll sleep on the couch in the family room,” I say, stopping her. I wouldn’t feel right taking Major’s room, and the couch we all used to hang out on is big enough to be a bed. “I’m sure he’ll be home soon enough. I wouldn’t want him to yell at me for messing up his neat folds.”

There’s a pull of a smile at the corner of her mouth, but she bites her lip to keep it from growing. Then a sadness takes over, and she bursts into tears. I’m in front of her and pulling her into my arms as the sobs start to shake her body.

“Shhh. Don’t cry. Everything is going to be okay.” She leans against my chest as my arms rub up and down her back. I hold her while she cries and try to reassure her that the Major is alive. “He’s going to be fine, don’t worry. You know how he is. He’s like a cross between a Jedi and MacGyver. Nothing can touch him.”