Jewell couldn’t tell if Rachel was joking or not, just as she couldn’t tell if she was crying or laughing anymore. Growing concerned, Jewell went to the door and saw the main room filled with everyone milling around. Spotting Cash holding Ema, she motioned for him to come to her.
Still holding Ema, Cash strode toward her.
“Rachel needs you two right now.”
His troubled gaze sought for Rachel as she moved to the side to let him enter the room. Instead of hurrying to comfort Rachel, Cash hung back.
“Jewell … I …” Cash didn’t seem to be in much better shape than Rachel.
Uncomfortable with all the feelings the couple were trying to share with her, all Jewell wanted to do was leave.
“We can talk later, Cash. Go see to Rachel.”
He opened his mouth as if to say something, but then closed it. Leaning forward, he pressed a kiss to her forehead. “Thank you …” He then tilted his head back to give her a ferocious frown. “And I better never, ever hear you say you don’t matter again. You matter to each and every one of us, got that?”
“Got it.”
Cash stared at her as if he wanted to continue, but then he swung his gaze to Rachel. After giving her another ferocious frown, he went into the bedroom and shut the door.
Knowing she was the center of attention, Jewell sought for something to divert everyone, speaking before anyone else could say anything. “Beth, Lily, all these kids are waiting for the hot chocolate that was promised to them.”
“Oh …” Beth gaped at her then gathered herself and gave her a look as if she was hell-bent on making the best hot chocolate ever made. “Lily, let’s get these kids what they want. I could use a hot cup myself. Winter, Jo, you mind keeping watch of the kids?”
Winter, who was holding Cash’s son, gave her a nod. “We’d be happy to.”
Using the opportunity, Jewell maneuvered herself away from the group of Last Riders, trying to bypass them for the front door. Rory’s presence by the door was the least of her problems. Handling the gratitude coming her way was painful in its intensity.
“Jewell, can we talk to you for a second?”
Steps away from the door, it took all of her control not to say no to Dustin. Her lagging feet carried her to Mag’s doorway. Following Dustin into Mag’s room, she saw Logan sitting on Mag’s bed, bawling his eyes out while the old woman patted his back, trying to calm the boy. Her heart broke at the sight, unaware The Last Riders had grouped around the door to see what was going on.
Instinctually, Jewell walked over to Logan.
“Logan, Ema is safe. She’s with her mom and dad, getting nothing but hugs and kisses.” Thinking Logan was so distraught because he was worried about his little cousin, Jewell sought to soothe him.
Wiping his face on Mag’s quilt, Logan began crying again.
Was he afraid of her?
What little was left of her cold heart broke into a million shards.
“I wanted to leave before you came. My head was hurting, but he wouldn’t let me leave,” Logan explained between hiccups.
Jewell frowned at him then bent over to use the sleeve of her sweatshirt to wipe at his tears. “Who wouldn’t let you leave? Your dad?”
Planning to give Dustin an earful, she almost didn’t hear what Logan was sobbing out.
“No. Michael.”
Jewell jerked upright, as if she had been struck. Taking a step backward, she nearly tripped over Mag’s oxygen tank.
Dustin reached out, managing to catch her in time.
Jerking away from his arm, she started to shove him out her way to leave the room.
“Don’t be scared of me.” Logan cried harder. “He talked to me when I was getting in my dad’s truck.”
Jewell brought her hand to her forehead, pressing her fingertips in, using all her strength to keep the memories at bay. At Logan’s escalated crying, she dropped her hand to move back to him.
“I could never be afraid of you, Logan … It’s just …” Jewell cleared her throat.
“I told him you wouldn’t believe me if I said something. He told me that’s why I couldn’t leave; that I had to help his mommy.”
The air was sucked out of the room. Feeling as if she would pass out, she managed to get past Dustin. She couldn’t stay …
As she rushed to the door, she saw The Last Riders had been watching. Viper and Shade were the first to move aside, and then the rest created a space for her to get through.
“Jewell …” Reaper was the only who was unmovable.
Jewell raised her hand. “No! I can’t do this … not even for that boy.”
Reaper moved to the side, allowing her freedom.
Focused on getting the fuck out of there, she ran outside. She had to leave. If she stayed, the past would catch up with her, and she had been running too long to stop now.