Renewed Faith (CSA Case Files 3 / Military Romance) (13 page)

“What you need is the comfort of your family,” Elle said softly as she caught movement out of the corner of her eye. “And if I’m not mistaken, one of your brothers is about to provide that.”

Sure enough, before Kevin had time to react, a similar looking male wrapped his arms around Kevin’s body from behind and pulled him up into a bear hug. His gaze promised that their conversation wasn’t over, but Elle wasn’t really worried about it. He was about to be sucked back into time with tales and memories of his deceased grandfather. These moments should be with his family.

“It’s about damn time you showed up.” The man released him and then slapped Kevin on the back before turning him around. “You’re looking good, Kevin. It’s been way too long. That Crest character been working you too hard?”

“Good to see you too, Kyle.” Kevin had grabbed his brother’s shoulder and pulled him into what she would consider a chest crushing hug. Elle resisted rolling her eyes at their boyish antics. “It’s been less than six months and I’ve been calling Mom and Dad once a week. I heard you and Molly are building a house on the south side of the property. Congratulations.”

“It won’t be ready until next fall, but we’re looking forward to it. It still takes a four wheel drive to get back to it off the country road.” Kyle had been staring at Elle the entire time, not bothering to hide his interest. She shifted uncomfortably, unable to help herself from wondering what he was thinking. She didn’t have long to wait to find out. “Mom didn’t say you were bringing anyone. There something we should know?”

“Kyle, this is Elle.” Kevin stepped back so that he was standing next to her. She expected him to elaborate why she was here, but he didn’t. In a way, his silence gave an answer that they had something more significant than what was reality. “Elle, this is my oldest brother, Kyle.”

“We’re just friends,” Elle said, extending her arm and waiting for Kyle to take her hand. “I’m sorry that we have to meet under these circumstances. You have my condolences.”

“It’s very nice to meet you, Elle.” Kyle shook her hand and his familiar gray eyes, although more laced with blue than his brother, seemed to see more than she wanted. It must be a family trait and one she’d have to be more careful around. “I think we should get inside. I don’t have a coat on and it’s damn cold out here. Kevin, take Elle on in to meet everyone and I’ll get your bags.”

The brothers exchanged long looks, but Elle was unable to decipher them. She didn’t like that she was the subject and as she took a step toward the house, her chest tightened at the thought of crossing the threshold where judgments awaited. It wasn’t as if they knew her background, but it didn’t wash away the feeling of inadequacy. She squared her shoulders and crossed the distance to the porch.

“They don’t bite,” Kevin murmured, his hand going to her lower back. She was grateful that the bulky material kept his warmth away. She didn’t need to rely on him. “If at any time you need me, all you have to do is look my way and I’ll know.”

Elle would have replied he needn’t worry, that she could take care of herself, when Kevin grabbed the handle and opened the screen door. A woman instantly appeared before them. She was a good five inches shorter than Elle, but the smile of this woman left no doubt she was Kevin’s mother. Her blue eyes lit up with delight when they landed on Elle, much to her dismay.

“Kevin, who have you brought with you?”

“Mom, this is Elle.” As Mrs. Dreier backed up a few steps to allow them to enter, Kevin led Elle inside and let the door click shut behind them. “This is my mother, Florence.”

Before Elle could extend her arm once more, Mrs. Dreier’s eyes filled with unshed tears and pulled her into a hug. Feeling uncomfortable, she patted the older woman on the shoulder. Stepping back, Elle was surprised when Kevin’s mother slid her hands down and firmly grasped her fingers.

“Thank you, dear, for coming with Kevin. This is a very difficult time for us.” Mrs. Dreier squeezed her hands before releasing them and wiping the corners of her eyes. “I was so worried he would have to drive himself.”

“It’s nice to meet you too, Mrs. Dreier,” Elle replied, doing her best to give a small smile. “As a friend, I’m here to offer my support.”

Elle felt better having set the groundwork and stepped slightly aside so that Mrs. Dreier could hug her son. It was then that Elle saw the rest of the family in the living room staring at her as if she was holding Kevin at gunpoint. She reminded herself that they didn’t know her background and met their gaze head on. She reined in the need to say something sarcastic, knowing that would only make her stay more uncomfortable.

“How are you holding up, Mom?” Kevin pulled his mother in tightly, her small frame being folded into his arms. Elle heard the small catch in Mrs. Dreier’s throat as she restrained her tears. “We knew it was coming and he’s with Gram now.”

“I know, dear.” Mrs. Dreier pulled away and then reached up to cradle Kevin’s face. “It’s still hard, but we’ll get through the next couple of days by remembering and honoring the man he was.”

“Move your ass.”

Elle turned slightly to see Kyle coming through the door with both of their bags. He brushed past them and went right up the staircase to where she presumed would be the bedrooms…separate. These folks seemed to be old fashioned, so there was nothing to worry about.

“Come in, come in,” Mrs. Dreier ushered, shooing them into the living room. Family portraits, wreaths, and knickknacks adorned the cream colored walls. Elle would have to look at them another time, for right now she was too busy being on alert for what the rest of the family might think of her. “Everyone, this is Elle. I’ll make the introductions.”

Sure enough, Mrs. Dreier went around the crowded room. Her husband, Lloyd, came right over and enclosed Elle into another hug. Kevin was the spitting image of his father, height and all. Kane and Keith were the other two brothers who were now standing next to their wives, Paige and Ashley. Kelly was the lone sister, who took after her mother. Her husband was back at their house, which apparently was only a few miles away, getting some diaper supplies. The six-month-old baby boy, Mason, had the same gray eyes as his uncle. The two young girls, no more than four and five, were the progeny of Kane. Their curious gaze made Elle wary.

“Now give me your coats. Your father will put them on the coat rack. Are you two hungry?” Mrs. Dreier had waited for the pleasantries, which turned out to be more personal than Elle would have wanted with more hugs, before the older woman clasped her hands together and played hostess. “We have enough food in the kitchen to feed an army. The doorbell hasn’t stopped ringing since this morning.”

“That sounds good, Mom.”

Elle’s mind was spinning as she tried to keep track of who was who and hoped they didn’t expect her to remember their names. She was grateful when Kevin once again placed his hand on her lower back. She caught him looking at her neck and she realized that she was playing with her locket. Immediately dropping it, she shrugged out of her coat and handed it over. Instinct had her pulling her sweater lower, ensuring that she looked good enough to pass muster.

“Thank you, Mr. Dreier,” Elle murmured, once the older gentleman had taken their jackets.

“Please, call me Lloyd.” He winked and looked back fondly at his wife. “We’re not much for formality here.”

Elle shoved her hands in the back pockets of her jeans, feeling uncomfortable as everyone was still looking their way. Kevin must have sensed it, for he excused them and followed his mother into the kitchen. Elle would eat and then excuse herself for the evening. Kevin needed time with his family without her. Tomorrow would be a hectic day and one she would need to prepare for.

“That was the hard part,” Kevin whispered in her ear, his warm breath catching her off guard. “The rest will be easy.”

It was obvious that their definitions of certain words were vastly different. Elle didn’t reply and made sure she sat on the far side of the table, away from everyone else. Kelly and the two sisters-in-law had followed them in. Kevin didn’t exactly allow Elle to get away with sitting so far apart, as he sat himself right next to her and carried on the conversation. Meeting everyone was just a standard thing in her mind. What would be hard for her were the difficult questions that were bound to come her way. She glanced at the clock on the wall. Fifty-nine minutes to go.

Chapter Eleven

K
evin turned the logs in the fire with a poker, all the while keeping his eyes on Elle. The service was over and everyone had retired back to his parents’ house. Neighbors had come and gone, but the entire family remained. Elle had been making her way into the kitchen when Kelly had stopped her and the two women were now talking. Elle wasn’t looking his way like he’d told her to should she feel uncomfortable, but he knew that she wouldn’t. The world could be ending and she would still think she could manage on her own.

“You stare at her anymore and she’s likely to catch like that fire in front of you.” Kyle sat down in the chair and spread his legs out in front of him. Kevin placed the poker back into its rightful place and then sat on the hearth with his back to the fire. “I’ve done my best to keep the women at bay, but eventually they’ll come at you with canons loaded. Especially Kelly. They want to know how important Elle is to you and why you would bring her here while we’re all at our worst.”

Kevin stretched his right leg, doing his best not to grimace at the ache that had settled deep inside from standing on his feet most of the day. He did have to hand it to his brother. His sister and the rest of the family had pretty much left him alone, although they did have more important things to deal with than his private life. Kyle had done him a favor. It was time to fess up and he was always upfront with his family about his life. That wasn’t going to change now.

“I met Elle over a year ago,” Kevin replied, keeping a close eye on her. It was important that she see into his life, but that didn’t mean he wanted it to scare her off. He needed her to see that she would belong here, regardless of how different they were. “She’s had some hard times but she’s managed to overcome them. Unfortunately, I want more than she’s willing to give right now.”

“I’m not so sure about that.” Kyle had a beer in his hand and pointed it in Elle’s direction. “She’s watched you like a hawk all day, making sure that you were okay. The only time she left your side was when we walked through the front door fifteen minutes ago.”

“There’s a lot that you don’t know and I don’t feel comfortable telling you without Elle’s knowledge. Suffice it to say, I have my work cut out for me. There’s this…courage…deep inside of her that just astounds me. She’s got so much pride, strength, and a downright survivor mentality that rivals anyone I’ve seen on the battlefield.” Kevin finally looked at his brother, who had been married for well over five years now. “She’s the one, Kyle. Mom always said it would happen this way and as usual, she’s right. Elle wouldn’t agree and as much as I know that patience is needed, I only have so much.”

“What would Pop tell you?” Kyle didn’t wait for Kevin to reply. “He’d tell you that if her soul is the other half of yours, you’ll find what it takes to do what is needed. He’d also tell you to think outside the box. That old coot was a sucker for unexpected schemes.”

“I needed that,” Kevin said, nodding his head in appreciation. He reached behind him to where he’d set his beer. Holding it up, he clinked the glass to Kyle’s. “To Pop.”

It wasn’t long after that the rest of the family descended into the living room. The only ones missing were Elle and his mother. It didn’t surprise him, as Elle was probably doing her damndest to keep herself away from the chaos. His mother was probably fixing a dessert tray in the kitchen. As for the children, Brianna and Annie had been in the formal dining room, playing with their dolls underneath the table the last time he’d checked. He’d give Elle five minutes and if she didn’t show herself, he’d track her down. He’d gotten used to having her by his side all day and since they weren’t heading back home until tomorrow afternoon, he figured he’d take advantage of the time they had.