Most Eligible Baby Daddy(44)

"So I came here," Faith said.

"And I knew they'd hunt her down, so I went into hiding, and picked off the members of the gang, one by one."

Elle was nodding her head. "It took you years, didn't it?"

"It did," Jackson said.

"All through my childhood I remember how afraid they were," Elle said.  "They were being picked off, one by one, and they didn't know who was  doing it or why."

Jackson shrugged. "Anyway," he said. "We just thought you should know that. Know about that history."

"In a way," Faith said, "it makes us even closer. Because we were both captives of the same evil men."

Elle felt silly. Tears were falling down her cheeks. "If you hadn't done  what you'd done," she said to Faith, "they'd still have me."

"Oh," Faith said, surprised. "It was Jackson. He's the one that killed them."

"But he did it because you had the courage to leave them," Elle said.  "If you hadn't had that courage, we'd both still be there, and Jackson  would never have been involved."

Faith started crying then. "I never thought of it like that. If anything, I felt guilty for all the women I left behind."

"What Jackson did, it ended Los Lobos," Elle said. "He killed them all.  Long before the last of them was dead, the police had rescued us.  Everything started to fall apart, and they could come and get us."

"It's the best thing I ever did," Jackson said. "Apart from marrying  Faith and starting a family, wiping that scourge from the face of the  earth is the most important thing I've ever done."

Elle got up from her seat and walked over to Jackson. She kissed him on each cheek.

"Thank you for killing those sons of bitches," she said.

Then she hugged Faith, and the two women held each other as only the survivors of the same crime could do.





Chapter 53

Elle

THE WEDDING PLANS PROGRESSED AT full speed and within a few days of  picking out her dress, Elle found herself dialing Kelly's phone number  back in Stone Peak.

"Elle, is that you?" Kelly said, her voice breaking with emotion.

"It's me, sweetie."

"Oh, Elle, it's so good to hear your voice."

"Why, has something happened?"

"No, not at all, it's just, I miss you, you know?"

"I know," Elle said sympathetically.

"Things just haven't been the same around here without you and  Forrester. You came into our lives and filled everything with so much  sunshine. And now you're gone."

"Oh, you were the one who filled my life with sunshine, Kelly. Do you  remember how lost I was when you met me? I didn't even have enough money  to put gas in my car. I was destitute. And you helped me. You gave me a  job, found me an apartment, you gave me a home, Kelly. And this might  sound strange given how short of a time I spent there, but Stone Peak  was the first real home I ever had in my life."

Kelly started crying.

"Oh sweetie, don't cry," Elle said. "I'm calling with good news."

"What is it?"

"Do you think you and Grace could shut down the diner for a few days?"

"Why?"

"So that you can come here for my wedding, silly."

"Really?" Kelly said, her voice starting to perk up.                       
       
           



       

"Yes. Really. And Kelly, you're going to love it here. It's so  beautiful, and everyone's so nice, and there's even the perfect man for  you here."

"Grady?" Kelly said, and Elle could clearly detect the sense of longing in Kelly's voice.

She'd told Kelly all about Grady, and even sent her some photos. Kelly  was smitten, but needless to say, Grady had no idea of the whole thing.

By the time Elle hung up the phone, Kelly sounded a lot happier than she  had. Elle had even promised her that she, Faith and Lacey would take  her dress shopping for something to wear. Kelly said she'd never been to  a fancy dress store in her life. Elle also made certain that Kelly  brought her kid brother, Lucas, to the wedding too.

The drive back to Stone Peak, later that day, was a strange experience  for Elle. She was in one of Forrester's luxury cars, a black SUV, and  she felt very rich and taken care of. It was something she was slowly  getting used to. She'd gone straight from being Cinderella to being a  princess. Forrester drove with his hand holding hers, and it only added  to her feeling of being looked after.

Pulling into the lot of Gracie's diner was the strangest part of all.  She'd been in such a tight position when she'd arrived there for the  first time. Now she didn't have a worry in the world.

Entering the diner, she breathed in the familiar smells of the kitchen. She smiled at the faces of the customers she knew.

"Elle," Kelly screamed, and ran across the diner to give her a big hug.

She was a little more reserved with Forrester and they merely shook hands.

When Grace emerged from the kitchen, she had tears in her eyes.

"I don't think I have to tell you how proud we all are of you," Grace said.

Elle felt so much love for the woman in that moment.

"Elle," Grace said.

There was a tone in Grace's voice that told Elle she was about to say  something serious. "You're like a daughter to me. I know we worked  together for quite a short time, but during that time, you showed  yourself to be a true and loyal friend. I want you to know that."

"Thank you, Gracie," Elle said.

Grace continued. "That's why it's so hard for me to tell you that I won't be able to attend your wedding."

"What? I so wanted you to be there."

"I know you did sweetheart, and I'm grateful to you for caring so much,  but I haven't left this diner unattended in twenty years and I just  don't think I can do it now. Not on such short notice. Some people are  just better suited to their one place in the world. You girls go and  have fun for me."

Elle was disappointed but she understood what Grace was saying. Grace  lived and breathed for her diner, and shutting the place just wasn't  something she could do.

"I understand," she said to Grace.

Grace nodded sagely and took a small box from her pocket. "This is for you," she said.

Elle looked at the box. It was small and black and lined with velvet, like a box from an expensive jeweler.

"Can I open it now?" she said.

"Of course you can, angel," Grace said.

Elle looked into Grace's eyes. She'd never felt so cared for by an older woman in her life.

"Thank you, Grace," she said as she opened the little box.

Inside was something sparkly. Elle's breath caught in her throat. It was  a diamond bracelet, the kind that movie stars used to wear when they  played tennis. It was stunning.

"Grace," she gasped.

Grace just nodded. "It was something my mother owned, and her mother  before her. Since I never had a daughter, I wanted to give it to you for  your wedding day."

"You can't," Elle said, but Grace just shook her head.

"It's yours sweetie."

Elle shut the box. She didn't know what to say. She hugged and kissed  Grace and thanked her profusely, but she felt uncomfortable accepting  the gift. Surely it should have gone to Kelly, not her. Kelly had  practically been raised by Grace, and she needed it more. She had  nothing. Elle was getting everything.

Once back in the car with Kelly, Elle swore to herself that she would  figure out a way to help Kelly with her life. Everything good that was  happening to her started with Kelly's deciding to help her out. She owed  so much to Kelly, and she wasn't going to forget her now that she was  getting married to the man of her dreams.                       
       
           



       

It would take time. You can't help a person overnight. It takes patience  and consistency. Elle knew that she wouldn't be able to snap her  fingers and make Kelly's life as happy as hers was. But she did know  that after her wedding, when things quietened down, she would work on  being the best possible friend she could possibly be to Kelly, even  though they would be living in different states. After all, as Elle was  fast learning, there are few things in life as beautiful as bringing  happiness to a person you loved.





Chapter 54

Forrester

FORRESTER FELT LIKE THE HAPPIEST man ever to have lived. He couldn't  believe it was his wedding day already. He stood at the altar, at the  place he'd chosen for the wedding, and glanced out over the vast expanse  of the Pacific Ocean. It was a breathtaking view. Then he turned to  face the guests. It was a small ceremony, as all of the Brotherhood  weddings were, with the men all standing next to him, and Faith, Lacey  and Kelly waiting for the bride. Faith and Lacey were holding their  beautiful babies. He smiled at the women. Then he smiled at Grant, Grady  and Faith and Jackson's son, Sam. Next to Sam was Luke, Kelly's little  brother. The two boys were about the same age and had sparked off an  energetic friendship. The same priest who'd married Grant and Lacey was  performing the ceremony.