Soul Weaver (20 page)

For a minute, her brain hazed over. Finish this? Finish what, exactly? Their conversation or where their hands had left off before they were interrupted?

Nathaniel pointed toward the AC units. “I’ll finish this up and get out of your hair.”

Back to business. She should have guessed. “I’m paying for your time and your supplies.”

“I’ll add it to your tab.” He winked as he turned, and Chloe didn’t believe he would for a minute.

Muted voices outside the front door made Chloe hesitate. “Who is it?”

“It’s me.” Neve paused. “But I’m not alone. I brought company.”

“Okay.” She’d gone from home alone to party central.
Wild weekend, Chloe
. “I don’t mind if you—” She opened the door and glanced down. “You brought kids?” A boy and a girl flanked Neve. “Are they…?” She stopped short of asking if they belonged to Neve; the familial resemblance answered the question for her. Aware there were two sets of little ears tuned in to their conversation, Chloe shelved her questions for later.

“Can we do this inside?” Neve sighed. “Please?”

“Of course.” Chloe stepped aside and let the trio enter. “Let me lock us in right quick.” When Neve frowned, she gestured toward the window framing Nathaniel as he worked. “It’s been a busy night around here. I don’t mind surprises, but I’d rather they knocked first.”

Her eyes narrowed. “What’s he up to?”

“He’s fixing the AC, or patching it at least.” Her attention drifted back down to the two little people sticking close to Neve. “Hello there.” She wiggled her fingers in greeting. “I’m Chloe.”

The boy scooted behind Neve. The girl glared up at Chloe with serious blue eyes.

“I swear I used to have manners.” Neve tapped the girl’s nose. “Before these two ran them out of me at least.” When the girl scowled up at her mother, Neve patted her cheek. “This little spitfire is Melody.” Reaching behind her back, she nudged the boy front and center. “And this is Thad.”

“Mama said we ought to thank you for giving her this job.” Melody jutted out her chin. Her sharp tone contrasted the soft blond ringlets curling around her face. “So thank you.”

Thad offered Chloe his hand. She took it, and they shook. “I’m T-Thaddeus Byrne.”

“It’s a pleasure to meet you, Thaddeus.” Chloe smiled. “Do you go by Thaddeus or Thad?”

He rolled his shoulders and buried his face against Neve’s pant leg.

The poor guy looked downright scared. Chloe reached around Neve. “Here, let me get some lights turned on in here.” They all blinked as she flipped the switches and banished the darkness. When she turned back to Thad with a smile, she gasped. What she had thought was a shadow was an angry black bruise across one side of the boy’s face.

“It’s rude to stare.” Melody stepped between Chloe and Thad.

“Melody…,” Neve warned. “Chloe is an adult. We don’t talk to adults that way.”

Her mutinous expression said exactly what Melody thought about those rules. “It’s still rude.”

Before Neve opened her mouth, Chloe made an effort to keep the peace. “You know what? You’re right. I was being rude, and I apologize. Thad, if I made you uncomfortable, I’m sorry.”

Shooting her a look full of gratefulness, Neve tousled the boy’s hair. “I know this isn’t what we had planned, but I had no one to watch them tonight. I did call before we caught the bus, but you didn’t answer. I figured I could order pizza and set the kids up with a movie while we talked business—if you don’t mind.”

“I don’t mind at all.” It surprised Chloe to realize that even though she had zero experience with kids, she kind of liked the idea of them puttering around. Her apartment hadn’t seen so much action since… well, ever. “As a matter of fact, I was craving pizza for dinner too.”

Melody stared at Chloe, her lips pursed as if keeping quiet was causing her physical pain. Chloe wondered what etiquette sin she had committed in the little girl’s eyes this time but wasn’t willing to risk another mother and daughter spat to find out. Thad peered up at her with longing in his dark eyes that only the words
pizza
and
movie
could inspire in a boy his age.

Thad fumbled through Neve’s purse and showed Chloe his prize. “Mama said it was my turn to pick. Melody says it’s a sad movie, but it has a puppy on the front, so I think I’ll be okay.”

“I’m sure you will be,” Chloe murmured.

“Let me give you something to cover our half.” Neve was already reaching for her wallet.

“No, you’re my guests. That means I pick up the tab.” As the words left her mouth, Chloe realized she was as bad about patronizing Neve as Nathaniel was with her. He drove her crazy by handling everything himself and not honoring her requests that she cover her own expenses. “That is to say, it’s your call. I’m happy either way.”

“Thanks, Chloe.” Neve passed her a couple of bills. “It means a lot that you offered, but I’d rather pay my own way.”

A sentiment Chloe could definitely respect.

“So.” Chloe swept her hand toward the stairs. “After you guys.” Melody raised one tiny brow. Chloe let her arm drop. “I meant to say, if you’ll follow me, please, I’ll be more than happy to escort you up to my humble abode.”

Thad tugged on Neve’s leg. “What’s an abode, Mama?”

“It means the place where you live,” Melody said, trying not to smile.

“Oh.” He studied the stairs for a minute. “You live over the store?”

“I sure do.” Chloe led the expedition up the stairs. “Let’s get you guys settled in with your movie and your mom and I’ll order that pizza.”

The sound of footsteps clomping behind her made Chloe’s throat close.

The noise reminded her of all the times her mom had yelled down the stairs that a herd of wild elephants made less noise than she did. The best times, though, were when Dad was with Chloe. He’d wink and pretend his arm was a trunk. Together, they’d trumpet and stomp their way upstairs into the living room. Mom would shake her head and laugh.

Dad could always make her laugh.

Clearing her throat, Chloe crossed the threshold into her apartment. “Here we are.” She headed straight for the couch and the kids followed. “Do you guys know what to do?”

Melody gave her a look that said
duh
as she picked up the remote and fed the DVD player.

“Miss Chloe and I will be in the kitchen if you need anything.” Neve bent down and kissed Thad’s bruised cheek. “Be good now.”

“I will.” He plopped onto the couch and drew Chloe’s afghan around his shoulders.

Melody sat next to him and hit Play, then put a pillow in her lap and patted the top. With a grin, his head hit the pillow. His sister gave him a half smile that melted into a scowl when she noticed Chloe watching them. At least she was familiar with this offense—caught staring again.

“Chloe?” Neve touched her shoulder.

Heart hurting for reasons she couldn’t explain, Chloe had to look away. “Let’s order that pizza.”

Forty-five minutes later, they had detailed plans for the literacy booth and dinner had arrived.

The kids were absorbed by their movie, so Chloe gave them a pass to eat in the living room. That earned her a tiny smile from Melody.

Once the kids were settled on the floor with plates and drinks set on the coffee table, Chloe and Neve retreated to the kitchen for some adult time. They fixed plates, poured drinks, and dropped into their chairs with matching sighs.

Neve stared into her cup of soda. “I appreciate you not pushing me for details.”

“I figure if you want me to know, you’ll tell me.” Chloe had enough secrets to know how painful it was to have someone dig around in them. When Neve got quiet, Chloe picked a piece of ham from her pizza and popped it into her mouth. “I’m starving. How about you?”

Not the subtlest change of topic, but she was still working on the whole conversation thing.

“Yeah.” Neve picked at her toppings, rearranging rather than removing. Soon her slice had a pair of pepperoni eyes, a squiggly bell pepper mouth, and a neat row of onions for a nose.

“Are you doing okay?” Chloe noticed the tremble in Neve’s hand. “Do you want to talk?”

“I’m not sure. I mean, I want to. I just…” She dropped her slice of pizza back onto her plate without taking a bite. “I’m a mess, Chloe.” She dragged a hand through her hair. “I’m afraid if I confide in someone, they’ll treat me like I’m some lost cause in need of repairs. You know what I mean?”

“It’s pretty safe to say
yes
,” Chloe said, smiling. “I understand exactly what you mean.”

Neve grimaced. “Sorry, I wasn’t thinking.”

“It’s no problem.” Chloe passed her a napkin. “I’m here if you need me.”

After wiping her fingers, Neve began twisting the napkin tighter and tighter as she spoke. “It’s been so long since I could talk to anyone about any of this. I don’t know if I can.”

Chloe reached across the table. “I know what it feels like to be scared all the time. To think no one understands and that you’re all alone in the world.” She took Neve’s hand. “That was my life.” She squeezed. “Having you around, knowing you accept me warts and all, has made the fear lessen.”

“I can’t take all the credit.” Neve’s smile was lopsided and her eyes moist. “Nathaniel does a bang-up job of distracting you. He’s so selfless. Always ready to shove his tongue down your throat at the first sign of fear.”

Chloe couldn’t help but laugh. “Nathaniel is… well, I don’t know what he is.” She stole Neve’s napkin and started picking it apart. “You are my friend and if we have to be scared, I think we should at least be scared together.”

Fat tears began to roll down Neve’s cheeks. She swiped them away and took a steadying breath.

“Last week,” she started, “when I said I had a reason to celebrate, I didn’t tell you why.”

The abrupt change in topic threw Chloe for a minute. “I assumed you were happy because you were settling in.” Apparently that wasn’t the case. “I should have asked.”

Fresh napkin in hand, Neve twisted again. “No, I got a phone call from my lawyer.”

There were only so many reasons a person would need a lawyer and only two or three Chloe could think of for a person in Neve’s financial situation. “And he had good news?”

“Great news, actually.” Her nervous exhale ended with a smile. “My divorce was filed.”

Chloe cast about for the right response. “Congratulations are in order, I take it?”

She gave a quick jerk of her head. “It… wasn’t a good marriage. My husband, he… Things went bad fast, and the kids and I had to get away faster.” Her gaze drifted toward the living room. “I’m just glad it’s over.”

“Is that what happened to Thad?” Chloe hadn’t meant to ask. She couldn’t help but ask.

“It was my job to keep them safe and I didn’t protect them. Not well enough. Not soon enough.” Her voice wavered. “I should have realized, I should have
known
, but I didn’t. And now they’re paying the price for my mistakes.”

Way out of her league and struggling to tread conversational waters, Chloe took Neve’s hand. Sometimes touch got across the point when words, or experience, failed. “Their father did that?”

Blood rushed from Neve’s cheeks. “Scott has a problem with alcohol. He doesn’t drink often, but when he does…” Her chin trembled. “He came home one night, drunk. Thad was in our bed because he’d had a bad dream and couldn’t sleep. I knew better than to struggle. But I did it anyway and Thad ended up paying for it.”

“Neve, you don’t have to—” But she didn’t stop. Chloe didn’t think she could stop.

“He dragged me across the floor. Thad was screaming. Scott backhanded him to shut him up. That’s when Melody…” Neve swallowed. “She hit Scott in the back of the head with a vase from the hall. It didn’t break or anything; it just kind of bounced off his head. That’s when he let go of me and went after her. I heard her screaming at him to leave her alone. She’d locked herself in the bathroom.” Neve’s voice hardened. “That’s when I ran to the bedroom and got Scott’s gun out of the safe in the closet.”

Panic fluttered in Chloe’s chest, making it hard to breathe, to think, to know what to say.

“He saw the gun and he backed out the door, out of the house.” Her gaze locked with Chloe’s. “I think he knew.” Neve’s eyes were too wide, showing too much white around the rims. “I would have killed him, Chloe. If he had touched one hair on her head, after what he did to Thad, I would have killed him.”

“What’s your plan?” A better question. “How can I help?”

Neve squeezed her hand. “You being here helps.” Grasping at napkins, she released Chloe’s hand and dried her eyes, blew her nose. “The only plan I had was to escape.”

More flutters, more spurts of panic Chloe struggled to control. “Will he come after you?”

“I don’t know.” Regret etched Neve’s features. “With the lawyer, and the divorce papers being delivered, I just don’t know.”

“Mama.”

Both women turned toward the entrance to the kitchen. Melody stood there, glancing between them.

“Thad’s stomach hurts.” Her chin inched up a notch. “I think we should go home now.”

Neve opened her arms and Melody went stiffly into them. “This one’s my guardian angel.”

Pride shone in Neve’s face as she hugged her daughter close. After a minute, Melody relaxed against her and buried her face in her mother’s neck. The scene before her made Chloe’s chest ache for what they’d all been through to get here.

Somehow, she’d figure out a way to help them, to keep them safe.

Neve was her best friend, and Chloe wasn’t going to lose her. Not after what they had each risked for better, fuller lives. Nightmares and ex-husbands be damned, she and Neve were going to thrive.

“All right, girly girl.” Neve turned Melody loose. “Let me say good-bye to Miss Chloe, and we’ll get your brother.”

After checking the time, Chloe headed to the fridge and the list of numbers there. “It’s another hour before the bus runs again. You want to take a cab home?”

“I think it’s for the best.” She began packing their half of the meal. “It would have been hard to carry food on the bus anyway.”

As much as Chloe wanted to offer Neve the use of her van, the one she’d had delivered to replace the one she’d totaled in the accident, she doubted Neve would appreciate the gesture. So she called Piedmont’s only cab company and walked her guests downstairs to wait on his arrival.