Falling with Grace - Page 197

He reached into his suit jacket and handed me a travel packet of tissues. “I thought we’d need these today.”

“Thank you.” I withdrew one and wiped my eyes. “But what do I tell them now?”

“The truth.”

The truth is too awful to bear.

“Will you come with me?”

“I’ll be right by your side.” He cupped my cheek, and I fell into his soft touch. “Okay?”

Nodding, I gathered my resolve, and we stepped out of the sleek black car before I could chicken out. I accepted Elias’s outstretched hand as he rounded the front.

Javier slid out of the G-Wagon in front, his hands clenched before him, the rest of the men surveying the area.

We walked together to the solid wood door and paused, my hand darting into my pocket where the rosary sat.

A flurry of butterflies danced in my gut as I drew in a deep breath and knocked.

I can do this.

Elias is with me.

This is for Jorge.

Moments later, the deadbolt slid free, and a tall, slender woman with dirty, dishwater brown hair peeked through. “Hello? Can I help you?”

I squeezed his hand and the rosary. “I um…” My pleading gaze darted upward toward Elias.

Elias stepped forward, stretching out his hand, and she shook it. “Hello, Mrs. Thronefield. My name is Elias Hernández, and this is Grace.” He pointed to me. “We were wondering if we could discuss something about your daughter Gabriela and her brother with you?”

She cocked her head to the side. “What about, exactly?”

I gave her a tense smile, my shoulders pulled back. “Um…Jorge, her brother, was my friend, and he gave me something he wanted her to have.”

Rita opened the storm door. “He’s gone, isn’t he?” Her lips pressed into a firm line, and I nodded with a hard swallow.

“Yes…” More tears blurred my vision. “He diedsaving my life.”

She released a heavy sigh and nodded her head. “Do you want to come inside? We can discuss it first, then talk to her about it when she gets back from school.”

Elias gave me a reaffirming nudge, and I steadied myself, then nodded. “Yes, I’d like that very much.”