Forbidden Falls (Virgin River #9)(27)

But here, in the bookstore and mall, there were hip young women, mothers and otherwise. He saw bare midriffs, pierced belly buttons, tattoos poking out of low-slung jeans and a rose on the top of the rise of a breast. He hadn’t seen much body art at his teaching job, but it was popular around the docks and he had even acquired his own tattoos while working as a fisherman. Ellie’s clothing might be a little racy for a church lady, but by contemporary standards, she fit right in. Well, except that it was hard to find anyone as beautiful, or as sexy.

And why wouldn’t a woman with those assets—height, figure, thick hair, ivory skin—want to look pretty? Sexy? Her means might be slim, but in her own way she was making the most of what she had.

He smiled and admitted to himself that he found Ellie a lot of fun. Edgy and authentic and full of delightful mischief. Seeing her with her kids gladdened Noah’s heart.

When they were finally back in the car, each child hanging on to two books, he said, “Well, anyone hungry?”

“I’m stuffed,” Ellie said. “Kids? Hungry?” They shook their heads. “We’ll just head home, Noah,” she said. “Thanks for asking. That’s very nice.”

It was only 5:00 p.m. They’d had their McDonald’s at two—they’d get hungry. Ellie hadn’t been planning on an overnight visit. “I bet you could use a run by the grocery store before going home, to stock up for your sleepover,” he said.

“Do you mind? I’m sure you have to get back to Lucy and I can just head out after I take you back to town.”

“Don’t be silly, Lucy is fine. She probably has that second bathroom painted by now. We’ll stop at the store on our way home. You’ll need something for tonight, after the hamburgers wear off. And breakfast. As for tomorrow—don’t take them back to Redway without me. I want him to know there’s some scrutiny. That you have backup. Let me take you there.”

“But, Noah, it’s Sunday. You probably have things to do. Don’t you have religious things to do?”

Yeah, he thought. I have to stand in that empty church and remember what community really means. What shoring up your friends and neighbors is all about. What the real blessings are—they’re small of stature, they’re young, they’re innocent and they have to be protected. “I’m free all day, but I won’t interfere with your family time. I’ll be ready to take you in time for your deadline.”

“Mama?” Danielle asked from the backseat. She pronounced it “Mumma.” “Can we stay with you now?”

“Just for tonight, angel. Arnie thinks he can do a better job, and so does the judge, and we have to give him some time.”

“But, Mama, he doesn’t do his manners,” she said. “He doesn’t like us very much.”

“Sweetheart, all we can do is go along for now. The judge said ninety days, and we’re getting through it, then it will work out. Try not to let your feelings be hurt when he doesn’t mind his manners. Just do your best. And please, baby, please know that I will never ever be disappointed in you. I’m proud of you every second. We’ll all do our very best and soon it will be over.” She smiled at her daughter over her shoulder. “My gramma used to call it ‘Go along to get along.’ That’s what we have to do—go along for now. Pretty soon, we’ll be together. Forever.”

Danielle sniffed a little. “Oh, Mama,” she said. “It’s hard not to let my feelings hurt.”

“I know, Danny. But when we don’t have a choice, we have to be tough. I know how strong you are. You can get through this. And then, when it’s over, I’ll hold you and cuddle you every night.”

“Oh, Mama,” she said softly.

“I love you, Danielle. I’m proud of you for trying so hard.” But when Ellie said that last, her voice caught. She shook herself. “Well, having to be strong is no big deal to us, huh? Because we’re very strong! We love each other, and it makes us very strong. Right?”

“Mama,” was all the little girl said.

“I know it’s very hard,” Ellie said. “I know, honey. It’s very hard for me, too. I miss you so much it makes me want to cry. But I’m trying to be as brave as you. I’m so proud of you.”

Noah thought he might have to pull over to the side of the road, put his head down and have a bone-deep cry himself. When he pulled into the grocery-store lot, he forced himself to let her be the parent, to be independent and do her own shopping. He offered to keep the kids while she went into the store, but of course she couldn’t be separated from them for a second. They returned a few minutes later with only two shopping bags, but she must have indulged the kids, because they were happy again. They chattered about little pizzas, popcorn, cereal, juice and milk.

He dropped them off right at the back stairs to her rented room and watched them clamber up. Just as he was about to walk back down the street, Jo Ellen Fitch came out on her porch. She watched Ellie and her children go up the stairs. To Noah she said, “She didn’t mention kids. I’m not really set up for kids here.”

When Noah looked at her, his expression was grim. “Gimme a break. It’s overnight, that’s all.”

“Where do they live?” Jo asked.

“They’re with her ex-husband right now. She only sees them on weekends. Try to be nice about it. They mean everything to her.”