She stepped to the edge of the ambulance. Outside, reality awaited her. The burning house, police interrogation and prying eyes.
She drew a deep breath and stepped into the cold night air. It had been too much to hope she wouldn’t have to face anyone. The entire Corwin clan had gathered around Jason.
With her house surrounded by police and firemen, she had nowhere to go in order to escape.
“Lauren, there you are!” Clara’s voice sounded first as she broke through the crowd and headed Lauren’s way.
Her red wool coat stood out from the rest of the group in dark jackets and she ran to Lauren, pulling her into a warm embrace.
At the motherly hug, tears Lauren hadn’t known she was holding back began to flow.
“There, there,” Clara said, sensing the extent of her turmoil. Clara patted Lauren on the back, comforting her in a way she’d never experienced.
She couldn’t even remember her own parents hugging her when she was upset. They subscribed to the pick yourself up and get back on the horse theory. At the memory, Lauren’s tears fell harder as the events of the night came back to her all over again.
“Honey, do you want to come back to my house?” Clara asked.
Lauren stepped back, dabbing her damp eyes on her sleeve and probably smearing what was left of her makeup. “Thanks for the offer but I don’t think Edward would appreciate my company.” She forced a smile.
“You might have a point, but he’s getting there,” Clara said, reassuring her.
Lauren glanced around. “Is he here with the rest of the family?”
Clara shook her head. To the other woman’s credit, she didn’t try to explain away or excuse his absence.
Lauren didn’t want Clara to feel badly so she pulled herself together, standing up straighter.
Amber and Gabrielle swarmed her next, greeting Lauren with warm hugs.
“I’m so glad you’re okay,” Gabrielle said, looking her over.
“Why aren’t you at your book signing?” Lauren asked.
Gabrielle shook her head. “We heard about the fire and turned right around! Family’s more important.”
“She’s right,” Amber said. “We came to make sure you and Jason were okay.” She peered at Lauren. “You are okay, right?”
“Other than the smeared makeup, I’m fine. Just a little shaky.” Lauren forced another smile, comforted by the outpouring of support offered by these women.
The men joined their wives, checking on Lauren’s welfare and expressing their sympathy about the house before stepping away, leaving her with breathing room and time to think.
“Did you happen to hear what happened to…the accomplice?” Lauren asked them.
She hadn’t had a chance to find out if Brody Pittman had survived the fire.
“I heard the firemen rescued a man who was unconscious but breathing-they took him to the hospital,” Amber said.
“And they think he’ll survive,” Derek added.
“Don’t stress yourself out about it, okay?” This from Mike, the cop cousin.
Lauren nodded. “Thanks.”
To her relief, they’d let her avoid the subject of her sister and her role in the fire, and for that Lauren was grateful. She’d never accept or understand her sister’s actions. Nothing was worth hurting other people, especially not money or power. Or diamonds. All she could see in her sister’s eyes was greed. And that made Lauren sad.
She glanced at Jason’s family, grateful they’d let the topic go. She lacked the will to defend Beth, and she definitely didn’t have any reserve energy to cope with Perkins bashing.
Which was too bad, since Thomas started to walk toward them. Lauren looked around for Jason. He stood at the end of the driveway talking to the police who’d remained after her sister had been taken away.