Atonement: The Lonely Ridge Collection

by Lyz Kelley

  Jenna stormed into the room with a look that should strike fear into anyone in her path. “Tell me he didn’t see the dress.”

  Rachelle stepped in front of Jacob to shield him from the fury. “Don’t neuter him. He didn’t see anything.”

  “Except the shoes that were supposed to be a surprise,” Jenna corrected.

  Rachelle stuck out the tip of the high heels to admire them once again. “I do love these shoes.”

  “Holy crap. Those shoes are the bomb.” Etch rushed closer, then studied Jacob’s legs. “No offense, boss, but I think she outdid you on this one.”

  “That’s no surprise. You ladies always outdo me.”

  “Enough talking.” Ben pushed Jacob into the hall. “The wedding is in twenty minutes.” He reached for the door handle and pulled, but at the last minute poked his head through the narrow gap. “Love the shoes,” he winked, then was gone.

  “Thank goodness he didn’t see the dress,” Jenna retrieved the gown from behind the door. “At least there will be one surprise left.”

  Rachelle ran her fingers over the intricately beaded, formfitting bridal gown with red waist trim gathered just above the waistline and a crystal spider brooch drawing the eye. The matching two-foot train of satin embroidered with intricate spiders hidden among delicate flowers and spider webs completed the look. The calla lily and red rose bouquet would complete the ensemble. “It’s definitely one of a kind.”

  “I’ll say. Even your veil is perfect.” Etch lifted the lace hairpiece from off the dresser.

  Rachelle accepted the veil and bent to place and secure the combs in place. She studied Etch in the mirror. “What’s perfect is you in that dress. I’m glad the treatment center allowed you to come to the wedding. It wouldn’t have been the same without you.” Her newly found friend glanced down at her dress.

  “I never thought anyone would get me in one of these things.” She stuck out her high-top tennis shoes. “At least you didn’t force me to wear them heels. I would have wrecked the wedding when I did a face-plant.”

  Rachelle slid a hand around Etch’s shoulder and forced her in front of the mirror. “I said you didn’t have to wear a dress or get your hair done, but look at you. I must say I love the red spikes.” Rachelle patted the top of Etch’s Mohawk. “It’s the new you.”

  “It’s the new me, thanks to you and Jacob. Thanks for coming to visit.”

  Rachelle shook her head. “It was all you. You did the hard work to be here, and I couldn’t be more thrilled you decided to be my maid of honor.”

  Tears welled in Etch’s eyes.

  Rachelle reached for a tissue. “Oh, don’t do that. You’ll get us all started.”

  Jenna gathered up the train of the dress. “Etch, can you help?”

  The two women gathered up the fabric and slipped the satin over Rachelle’s head. A second later, Jenna zipped up the fabric and then began fluffing the skirt.

  Tears stung her eyes, but she forced back the emotions. “Jenna? Etch?” Both women stopped fussing, poised to fulfill her every request. “Six months ago, I didn’t think I had a friend in the world. Life looked pretty bleak. I had no job, no money, and then you both reached out to me and offered me your friendship when you could have turned away. But you didn’t. For that, I will always be grateful.”

  “Well, crap,” Etch pressed a tissue to her eye. “I was trying hard not to lose it.” Etch glared at Jenna. “How are you keeping it together?”

  “I’ve been focused on where to find some Superman briefs for my husband. My-oh-my.” She fanned her face. “Sexy didn’t even describe the placement of the—”

  “Tell me you were not looking at my husband’s ass.”

  Jenna’s cheeks bloomed a cherry red. “Well, I’m not dead, you know.”

  “Oh, I know. All of the women in town have nothing to talk about but your sin-sugar frosting.”

  “I gave you a jar of every flavor.” She licked her lips with a wink. “I’d try the one with the spider on it first. I made a special batch of white chocolate with bing cherry flavoring.”

  “That’s it.” Rachelle picked up her skirt. “Let’s get this wedding over with. I’m ready for the honeymoon.”

  Jenna rushed to open the door. Etch walked into the hall as Rachelle followed.

  At the door, Rachelle paused and looked back at her old room. She’d spent hours in her room, staying out of her father’s way and daydreaming about her future.

  She couldn’t have imagined one better than this.

  She was in love with a man of her choice, surrounded by friends she adored, in a house she had helped design and build.

  A house she intended to fill to the brim with love.

  Chapter Twenty-Six

  Eleven Months Later

  Rachelle slid her hand into Jacob’s and squeezed to give him strength while she looked out over the local crowd buzzing with excitement.

  Jacob raised his hand and the voices quieted. “Thanks for coming today,” Jacob’s voice boomed out into the gathering. “I see a lot of familiar faces, and others I’ve not yet met, but would like to get to know. Today is a day of healing and a day of celebration. Today is the opening day of the Larson Center for Creativity.” Applause and cheers infused him with peace and a sense of rightness. “Hours and hours of hard work and volunteer efforts have gone into making this day possible.”

  Jacob’s grip tightened. “Our goal was to build a place for Elkridge kids to gather, explore, create, build, write...the possibilities are endless. I believe we’ve achieved our goal.”

  Another round of clapping and cheering prevented Jacob from continuing, even though Rachelle understood he wanted to hurry up and get through this day.

  “Our goal, with the support of this community, is to provide every child with a place to dream.”

  Rachelle could feel Jacob fighting to breathe, and snuggled a little closer.

  “Feeding a child’s dream is important. Larson, my best friend, believed in dreams. His biggest dream was to build a game every child, no matter where in the world they lived, could play. He too achieved his dream, which is why he donated the funds to build this very special place.”

  The rawness in his voice made her ache. She wished she could take on his burden, but she couldn’t. No one could.

  “So…” he brushed the melancholy aside, “let’s fulfill some dreams, shall we?”

  Ben and Ross pulled open the freshly-painted red doors leading into the small brick house. The kids who were in the front rushed up the newly-built, disability-accessible ramp to be the first inside. Jacob walked through the crowd shaking hands and accepting several back slaps. She stayed with him, step by step, never leaving his side. When he’d shaken the last hand, she let him catch his breath.

  “Would you like to go in?”

  “Not yet.” He looked like he was trying to swallow a rock.

  “Is there anything I can say to help?”

  A small suggestion of a smile lifted the corners of his mouth, but his heart wasn’t behind the attempt.

  “I can’t stop thinking about what Larson’s letter said. I’ve read the lines a dozen times, but some of it is still incomprehensible. I have no idea what he was trying to say.” He hung his head. “I want to know. I need to know what he was trying to tell me.”

  “Jacob, don’t torture yourself.” Rachelle slipped her arm around his and rested her head on his shoulder. “He made his choice. You need to stop asking why. There is no answer. And even if you had the answers, you’ll never get all the answers you want to hear.”

  “He said he’d accomplished everything he dreamed of doing.” Jacob’s jaw muscles pulsated. “That he was tired of fighting off the demons and couldn’t fight anymore. But that wasn’t true. He had so much more to give.”

  “That was the drugs talking, not Larson.”

  “I know. It’s just I wanted him to get better,” he whispered. “I needed him.”

  “You’re not the only one who n
eeded him to get better. Drew, Sketch, Etch, Ben, Ross…the list goes on and on. He would have been surprised at how many people attended his memorial service. Letting the kids play his video game at the service was inspiring. No one could have given him a better tribute than you did.”

  “It was your idea,” he kissed her forehead.

  She tightened her arms around him, trying to support him with her love.

  “I’m sorry your dad couldn’t come today.”

  “Someday he’ll realize what he’s missing, but I can’t worry about him. He’s not my responsibility.”

  She stroked his face. “Look at you, being all psychological and rational.”

  “It must have been all the family sessions I sat through with Etch.”

  “Hey, you two. Aren’t you coming in?” Etch skipped down the ramp, but her red, splotchy skin told a story she probably didn’t want anyone to read.

  Rachelle allowed Etch to enter the circle of kindred spirits. “We’re just taking a minute to honor Larson’s memory.”

  The computer designer’s face pinched, magnifying her grief. “Yeah, well, he was a selfish ass. He should have had the balls to stick around.” A flood of tears pooled in her eyes and spilled over.

  Rachelle wrapped her arm around the woman quickly becoming her best friend. “He would have been proud of you. You’re still sober. You’re making the changes necessary to stay clean.”

  “I was scared shitless when my substance abuse counselor told me I couldn’t go back to San Diego. It freaked me out. But she was right. Same friends. Same habits.”

  “The town sheriff is doing whatever he can to keep Elkridge the cleanest town in the state. Besides, you living here, helping run Larson’s Center, makes sense. I can’t think of anyone better. The kids love you, and you’ve come up with some fun programming. Larson would have approved.”

  “Yeah, but the parents aren’t thrilled about having a former addict around their kids.”

  Rachelle squeezed Etch’s hand. “With time you’ll win them over. I’ve learned the hard way that this community can be very forgiving.”

  “Still, it’s a bit far away from Drew and Sketch. I’ll miss them.”

  “I bet you won’t,” Jacob interrupted. “I’ll hook your place up with a satellite, and I’ve ordered a high-speed Wi-Fi and telepresence conferencing room to be installed there. It’ll be just like you’re in the same room with Drew and Sketch and the rest of the team.”

  “No way. Really?”

  “Consider it an advance. I’m going to need you to work your butt off before the next investors’ meeting. They’re expecting a live demonstration.”

  “I’m cool. I’ve got plenty of time before ski season. Did I tell you I’m taking up snowboarding next winter?”

  “Promise me you’ll wear a helmet.” Jacob was clearly troubled by Etch’s eye-roll. “Maybe I should take out an extra insurance policy.”

  “Don’t worry, I’ll be careful. They say boarding is just like surfing. Rach, you should try it.”

  “I don’t think so.” Jacob’s arm slid around her waist and squeezed.

  Etch swatted Jacob’s arm. “Didn’t you say something about being less protective? Letting people do their own thing.”

  “Skiing while eight months pregnant? Now this I’d like to see.”

  There was a pause. Then—boom—Etch’s face lit up like a kid who’d just been told they were taking a trip to Disneyland. “You’re pregnant? Really? I’m going to be an auntie?”

  A laugh rippled up and exploded with joy. “I was thinking more along the lines of godmother.”

  “Me?” Etch jammed her fingers through her short, black hair, then let the strands fall over the razor buzz on the side. “Seriously? But I’m a screwup.”

  Rachelle reached for her friend’s hand. “Look at me. I don’t want to repeat myself.” She pursed her lips. “You and I, together, we are going to put the past behind us. We are strong, amazing women who deserve good things.”

  “Well said,” Jacob kissed his wife’s cheek. “I’m surrounded by amazeballs. Now, ladies, if you don’t mind, there’s a ten-year old inside who says he’s gonna cream me at Exlander.”

  “Criminy,” Etch laughed. “Did you happen to mention you created the game?”

  “No. There are certain things you can teach the kids, and certain things you have to show them.”

  “And if you lose?” Etch asked with a straight face.

  Rachelle held her breath, wondering which way the conversation would roll. One-one-thousand. Two-one-thousand. Three-one…

  Jacob’s shoulders began to shake with a much-needed gust of relief. “Then I’ll be the one learning the lesson. Like I always say, find a kid under the age of fifteen, and they’ll teach you anything you need to know about the newest gadgets.”

  “Why fifteen?” Rachelle asked.

  “They can’t drive yet, and most still think the opposite sex is pretty lame, so the latest trends are their focus.”

  An idea swirled into Rachelle’s head. “Why don’t you hold a game designer contest for kids? The winner gets a three-month design contract. What a great way to find early talent.”

  When his mouth captured hers, thoughts of kids and games flittered right out of her head. He eventually leaned back. “There’s a reason I married you.”

  “I have good ideas and wore a Spiderman dress for our wedding?”

  “That and because you give great kisses.”

  “All right, you two,” Etch pushed on their shoulders. “Cut it out. We have work to do.”

  “That’s what I hired you for,” Jacob leaned in and brushed his mouth over Rachelle’s again, then deepened the kiss. He sucked in her bottom lip before releasing her. “I suppose we should go in.”

  “It’s okay if you take another moment.”

  “I miss him.” Jacob picked up her hand and kissed her palm, then held it against his chest. “I keep checking my phone to see if I have a text from him. I could love him, but all the love and money in the world couldn’t save him.”

  “Everyone tried, but I’m not sure he wanted to be saved.”

  “He taught me how to love better.”

  She placed a hand on each side of his face. “Your love doesn’t have to be prefect, it just has to be honest.”

  “Well, Mrs. Reyes. Know I love you. Respect you. Trust you. Is that honest enough for you?”

  She brushed her thumbs across his cheeks. “I love you too, Mr. Reyes. And there is nothing I would like better than to take you home and show you how much, but I would never, ever want to stop a young man from humbling my beloved husband.”

  “Is that so?”

  “That is so.”

  “Well, Mrs. Reyes, just you watch. Aliens can’t mess with my tribe. I’m going to annihilate the enemy and save the world.”

  I wouldn’t expect anything less, my love geek.

  I’m so glad you could join Rachelle and Jacob on their journey to their happily ever after.

  Those of you who have read my books or been part of my newsletter have heard my explanation for why Authors never see their Star Ratings requested by Amazon, so thank you for allowing me to share the information once again.

  When Amazon asks a reader to “Rate this book" on their Kindle, Amazon is the only one to see these ratings.

  I’m left clueless about how you feel about this book. Your input matters.

  Book reviews help me decide what kind of books I write. Plus, the more people who leave an review, the more likely Amazon is to move a book up in the rankings? Written reviews help other readers find and love a series.

  Please continue to rate the book on your Kindle or reader as this helps Amazon, but take an extra moment to pop over to the review section and leave a few words! Seriously, a few words like, “great story,” is enough.

  If you have not read my Elkridge Series or the Lonely Ridge Collection, and have no idea why authors keep asking you as a reader to take a few minutes to leave
even a couple of word reviews, here’s the break down of how reviews work in the crazy business.

  Reviews (not ratings) help authors qualify for advertising opportunities. Without triple digit reviews, an author may miss out on these valuable opportunities. And with only a “star rating” the author has little chance of participating in specific promotions, which means authors continue to struggle, and many talented writers give up writing altogether.

  Readers aren’t the only ones who use reviews to help make purchasing decisions. Producers and directors use your reviews when looking for new projects.

  This is why asking for your help.

  A few kind words make such a massive difference to me. Your words give me the encouragement I need to continue writing because honestly, I write my books for you, and I’d like to keep delivering the types of stories you want to read.

  And, yes, every book in a series needs reviews, not just the first book. Even if a book has been out for awhile, a fresh review can breathe new life into a book.

  So, please take a few minutes to leave a short review. Even a couple of words will brighten my day.

  Lastly. Thank you for reading this book. I hope to see you again soon. Cheers!

  Author Notes

  Dear Reader,

  Thank you for reading Atonement.

  I wrote this book for those in the world who are survivors. Those who have lost and had to start over, or those who must keep on living after a loss.

  Life is hard. It’s unfair. And there often are no answers to the question why.

  When I was a kid, I was angry about bad stuff going on in my life. For years, I remained closed off, pushed people away, and let the negative fester.

  Later I discovered I didn’t even like who I was, and have worked hard to change. Today I try my best to look beyond the negativity of the moment, toward the light of the future. And if I encounter anger or meanness, I have more tolerance, and I try my best not to judge.