“Let’s take the SUV, it’s made for this weather and see if we can help guide them back here,” Eric suggested.
“I’m with you,” Dante agreed. “I’ll meet you at the backdoor in five.”
Eric took hold of Sylvia’s hand and dragged her with him to the kitchen.
Lucia, Emiliano, Aiden and Diego were in the kitchen, sitting around the table.
“I’m going out with Dante to find them and guide them back here. We’re taking your BMW, Dad.” He led Sylvia over to the table. “Sylvia, you stay here so I’m not worrying about you as well, okay?”
She really wanted to beg him not to go, but she knew he needed to. It was his siblings out there so she told him what he needed to hear. “I’ll be okay. You just be careful. Please.” She reached up and cupped his face before kissing him. “Please, Eric,” she begged.
He smoothed the hair down her back, and promised before he grabbed his jacket and disappeared with his brother.
Sylvia stood where he’d left her, not knowing what to do or say. She felt close to tears. She’d never experienced worry like she felt with Eric being out in the storm.
Aiden moved from where he was sitting and wrapped his arm around her. “Don’t worry. He’ll be fine. Come and sit, and get high on coffee and cake.”
She hugged him back, and let herself be pulled down beside him. “Here.” He poured her some coffee and offered her a slice of cake. She shook her head. She wouldn’t be able to eat anything until Eric was back.
“I hate this,” Lucia admitted.
“Don’t worry, love,” Emiliano comforted, his arm wrapping around his wife. “You know Dante and Eric will get them back safely.”
“Why did they take Kasey’s truck? We gave him enough grief about the state of it that they all know how shit it is,” Lucia added.
“They went to collect a chest of drawers that Emelia had put away. Kasey’s truck was the only one not buried behind others,” Diego admitted. Then supported his twin. “In all fairness, Emelia did look at the sky and said they should wait, but Mateo called her chicken so she climbed in the truck. Think he wanted something to distract Caprice for a while.”
“One of these days, I’m not going to be able to keep my mouth shut with that woman.” Lucia fumed. “She is no good for Mateo. He needs a nice, sweet girl, not a leech.”
Diego and Aiden threw their heads back, laughing. Diego even wiped his eyes while he laughed. “That’s awesome, Mom.”
Emiliano smirked and shook his head at his wife. “I love you, honey.” He kissed her.
It was nice watching them together, and seeing the tender love they shared, but of course, that moment had to be spoiled.
“Eww, can you not do that shit in front of us,” Diego grumbled.
Aiden punched his arm. “Leave them alone, and grow up.”
“Sylvia, I hope you know what you’re getting yourself into being a part of this family.” Aiden smiled, and laughed.
“Your family is full of love, so yes, I know what I’m doing.”
Aiden slung an arm around her shoulders. “We’re a close family, and even though we’re all worrying about the others, I know in here,” he pressed his palm against his heart, “that they’ll all be okay.”
Chapter Twenty-Six
The storm whipped snow around and Eric maneuvered the SUV down the windswept lane from the house. It was roughly a mile long, which meant the others must be about a mile down the highway. Unfortunately, those miles were in near white out conditions and the snow was coming down so heavy that Eric could barely see a foot ahead of the vehicle.
His nerves were frayed, but he kept his calm. He was just thankful that he’d snagged the keys out of Dante’s hands because his brother looked frantic to get to their siblings. Although, Eric realized his brother was reacting to the fact that Emelia was with them.
He needed to talk more with his brother, but what the fuck could he say? He had no idea. He was tired of thinking about them, and the whole weirdness of it.
“We should find them soon, right?” Dante scanned the road ahead.
“They’ll be fine.” He prayed he was right before he focused on the slippery road. He could feel the thick snow filling up the wheel well and knew they would have to stop soon to clear up the tires.
“Hey,” Dante sat straighter, “what’s that? It looks like the beam of headlights coming from that ditch up ahead.”