Finally & Forever Read Online Free Page B

if she had fallen asleep with the back of her head smushed against a sofa cushion. Everything about her shape, haircut, and gait suggested quiet efficiency, as if she were a woman who didn’t need a lot of fuss to get her up and going in the morning. Katie could relate to that sort of low-maintenance lifestyle.
    In the flurry of all the hugs, the wound on Katie’s lower shoulder had been bumped and was sore. She knew that if she took off her sweatshirt in the warm house, she would have an issue with the drooping right side of her busted bra and the bloodstained back of her T-shirt. Not to mention the odors her nervous body had mustered during all her travels. The scent would be obvious if she lifted her arms without the barrier the sweatshirt provided. Not a good way to make a first impression.
    Eli and his dad brought in the rest of the luggage as his mom cleared a stack of papers and books from the worn couch that was more of a loveseat than a regular-sized sofa. “Have a seat, Katie. I’ll bring some tea. Do you like tea?”
    “I love tea.”
    “Good, that’s very good.” She disappeared around the corner into what Katie could see was a narrow kitchen. Katie could hear her making swift preparations.
    “Do you need some help, Mrs. Lorenzo?” Katie called out.
    “No, you just sit. This will only take a minute. And please, call me Cheryl.”
    Katie glanced around at the disheveled room. The space was small and cluttered with an abundance of stacked boxes and files.
    “We’re moving our offices,” Eli’s dad said.
    Katie looked up and realized he had caught her scanning the orderly chaos.
    “We take possession of our new space next week. You’re here just in time to help us make the move.” He smiled warmly.
    “I would be glad to help.”
    What surprised Katie the most about Eli’s dad was how white his short hair was. The photos Katie had seen on the clean water website must have been taken when he was younger and still had brown hair like Eli’s. He had a trim moustache and goatee. Even in his pajamas and robe with the big side pockets and tie hanging all the way down on one side, he looked distinguished.
    Eli left the luggage inside the door by a tall bookcase, and, making room on the couch, he settled in next to Katie, putting his arm across the back of the cushion. It felt just right. He seemed to be making it clear to his parents that the two of them were “together,” while at the same time giving Katie room to breathe in her warm sweatshirt.
    Eli’s dad took a straight-backed chair from beside the table covered with lamps, books, and folders and positioned the seat across from the sofa. That left the best spot in the room, a fairly new-looking leather recliner, open for Eli’s mom when she returned carrying a tray with stacked teacups, teaspoons, and a plate of shortbread cookies. She placed the tray on top of the nicked up steamer trunk that served as a coffee table.
    “Go ahead and have a biscuit. I’ll be right back with the chai.”
    Eli reached for the plate of cookies and politely offered them to Katie first. She took a nibble. His mom returned, and Katie watched as a surreal tea party unfolded in front of her. If Alice felt befuddled at the Mad Hatter’s party, Katie felt equally off guard sitting in a stonecottage in Africa holding up a rose-rimmed china teacup and saucer. Eli’s mother stood in front of her in a fuzzy, pale pink robe with one collar of her pajama top sticking out at the neck as she poured tea for Katie from a floral china teapot.
    Katie thanked her and took a sip. It wasn’t chai, or at least it wasn’t what Katie called chai. This tasted like a sweet tea latte. Warm and soothing.
    Eli’s mom poured the other three cups of tea and settled into the recliner. “So, tell us.” She looked relaxed and at the same time full of anticipation as she focused her attention on Eli and Katie.
    Katie looked at Eli. Clearly his parents wanted to hear the story of how it