NDA, remember? You tell her about Afghanistan, your world will be the one that crumbles.
Evie nearly groaned because her inner voice was right. There was a non-disclosure agreement in place. One that was signed, notarized, and stamped with the Homeland Security seal.
Rather than risk a hefty fine—or worse, a prison sentence—Evie looked down at the woman she’d entrusted to keep her deepest, darkest teenage secrets and did her best to keep the lies to a minimum.
“Ididget back earlier than originally planned.” A careful truth.
“And you came straight here,” Helen assumed with a beaming smile. “You know, I have to admit…I feared the last time I saw you it would be for the very last time.”
You have no idea.
“Why do you say that?” Evie’s pulse raced a bit faster.
Helen didn’t know about the refused ransom. She couldn’t possibly?—
“I heard you and your father going at it that day,” the sweet woman admitted. “I assure you, I wasn’t purposely eavesdropping. But your conversation grew quite loud toward the end, and I happened to be walking by his den.”
“He didn’t want me to go.”
“Yes.” Helen’s thin lips curved into a knowing grin. “I gathered as much.”
Memories from that day threatened to overwhelm her, but she pushed them aside and forged on. “Is he here?”
“Your father’s in his den, dear.”
Of course, he is.
Leaning in, Evie kissed the sweet woman on the cheek before pulling away. “It was great seeing you again, Helen.”
“Will you be staying for dinner? I’d be happy to set out an extra plate for y?—”
“I’m not staying.”Not a second longer than I have to.“I just came to ask my father about something.”
“Must be important for you to come all this way.”
“It is.” Evie nodded.
More important than you’ll ever know.
“Well. It was such a nice surprise seeing you again.” Helen pulled her back in for a parting hug. “If you change your mind about dinner, you know where to find me.”
I won’t.
“Thanks, Helen.” Evie smiled fondly. “It was really good seeing you, too.”
The other woman’s gaze held steady as she took Evie’s hands in hers. After a tense few seconds, Helen gave her a gentle, loving squeeze before turning around and walking away.
As far as reunions went, the moment was bittersweet. She loved the older woman and had always considered her family. But after decades spent as a trusted Mitchell family employee, she feared that if push came to shove, Helen would choose loyalty over love.
Which meant once again, Evie was on her own.
No time like the present.
She turned to her right and walked toward the open space beneath the elaborate staircase. If she continued going straight, the marbled path would have taken her through the Great Room, past the professionally designed chef’s kitchen, out the back doors, and onto the home’s expansive covered porch.
Evie didn’t go straight.
Once clear of the overhead walkway hovering up above, she took an immediate right. Her heart beat a little harder with every step she took as her trembling legs carried her down the long, narrow hallway.