Page 63 of Love From the Ashes

“It’s perfect, thank you.”

“So, how was work today?” Reid filled his plate and turned to give me his attention.

“It was a little unusual. Jason asked if I’d ever considered attending college to get a degree in marketing. He said I’m a natural at it. I’m sure he’s being nice and exaggerating a bit, although I am trying to absorb everything he’s teaching me. It’s like being his apprentice, and it’s kind of fun.” Jason’s enthusiastic mentoring had been a wonderful surprise. I enjoyed learning and regretted dropping out of school when I ran away from home and moved in with Dean. Although it took a lot of effort between working, babysitting Dean, and our constant moving, I managed to pass the GED test when I was twenty. Going to college was something I’d wanted to do ever since.

“If you want to take college courses, I’m sure we can make it work. It’s never too late to learn, and you never know where the knowledge will take you.”

“I’m glad you said that, because I want to try taking some classes.”

“You’re welcome to take as many as you want. I’ll support whatever you decide.”

“Thank you. That means a lot to me.” I smiled at Reid. He was such a loving, supportive, and kind-hearted man. He turned out to be quite different from my first impression of him. I was fortunate to have met him, fate somehow steering us in each other’s direction. As I sat with him, thinking about our relationship and future, I decided now was a good time to tell him about Nick, his threats, and my past. What I had to say was disturbing, and I was going to fervently hope he could look past the darkness and let his love for me be his guide.

Reid took a bite of his shepherd’s pie and a sip of his tea. I watched him, suddenly becoming nervous. Deciding to confess everything was one thing. Speaking about the events was another, and it would be excruciatingly painful. I clasped my hands and took a deep breath, not quite ready to take the plunge but knowing I must.

“Reid, I have something I need to talk to you about, and I need you to let me finish before you make any judgment or say anything.”

He furrowed his brow, peering across the table at me. “This sounds serious. Should I be worried?”

“I think…”

The doorbell rang, cutting me off.

“I’ll get it,” Anderson said, having just stepped into the dining room. He spun around and went to the front door.

I could hear a mix of voices coming from the front entry and porch. As I listened, I could make out Anderson’s and two others, a female and a male. I held my breath. Oh God, I recognized the voices! My heart felt like it had stopped, and my stomach churned. I wanted to disappear; my whole world was about to disintegrate into dust any second.

“Sir?” Anderson stood in the dining room doorway. He looked visibly shaken, his eyes darting between Reid and me.

Reid studied him for a moment. “Who’s at the door?”

“Sir, Sofie’s mother and brother are at the door. They’ve requested to speak to both of you.”

“Mother and brother?” Reid looked at me, his eyes narrowing. “Sofie? What the hell is going on? You told me your mother was dead, and you had no siblings.”

“Reid…I…” I stopped talking, words unable to come. I lowered my head and covered my face with my palm. “Oh God,” I whispered.

“Anderson, close the dining room door and show them into the parlor. We’ll be in there in a few minutes,” Reid said, his voice taut.

“You can’t leave them alone! Stay in the room with them,” I said, finding my voice. “They’ll steal anything they can shove in their pockets.”

Reid snapped his head toward me. “I want an explanation, and I want it now.”

Anderson quietly closed the double doors to the dining room.

“I couldn’t tell you about them,” I said, my eyes imploring Reid to understand.

“Why the hell not?”

“They’re evil people. They’re leeches. They ruined my life and destroyed Dean. I’ve hidden from them for years, trying to escape their threats and manipulation. My mother saw the article in that grocery store newspaper, and they tracked me to Boston. My brother tracked me here.”

“Was that your brother that broke into the house?” Reid’s voice was incredulous. He stared at me, his palms pressed against the tabletop as if he were ready to spring from his chair.

“Yes, and he was at the restaurant on Boylston. I dropped my water when I saw him, and he found me at the mall and threatened me.”

“And you didn’t think to tell me?” Reid shouted. He jumped from his chair and paced the floor. He stopped and turned toward me, a hand on his hip while he ran the other through his hair. “You lied to me. All this time, you lied to me and continued to do so. And you put yourself and our child at risk and me too when your brother broke into our home.”

“Reid, stop. Please don’t yell at me. I started to tell you right before the doorbell rang. I swear I was going to tell you.”