“Is that so? Are you a hungry hungry hippo?”
Bethany snickered. “No, silly. I’m a hungry hungry Bethany!”
Clay slapped a palm to his forehead. “That’s right, how could I forget? Well, hungry hungry Bethany, what sounds good to you this morning?” He winked at Ellie over his shoulder, and she gave a rueful shake of her head.
Damn, he was good. The doctor had also told them that an important part of the rehabilitation process was making food fun again rather than a serious affair.
Bethany gnawed her lip before tugging on Clay’s neck and whispering in his ear.
When she finished, he rubbed his chin and nodded. “Waffles, huh? What do you think, Ellie? Waffles sound good?”
Ellie’s eyes wanted to pop out of her head. Waffles? She didn’t even know how to scramble a perfect egg…how the heck was she supposed to master waffles, of all things? Unless they were talking about the frozen kind that you popped in the toaster. She bet she could cook the shit out of those. “I…um…”
Clay took one look at her face and started cracking up. “New plan. Miss Hungry Hungry Bethany, if you can get dressed in less than fifteen minutes, I’ll take us all out to the best waffle restaurant in the world.”
Bethany squealed and clapped her hands. “Yes!” She whirled in a circle. “Can Aunt Jillian and Uncle Jacob come too?”
Ellie laughed. “Don’t you mean…can Sam and Duke come too?” The girl was still desperate for a dog, and little did she know that she’d be getting a chocolate lab for her ninth birthday, which was only a couple weeks away.
Bethany laughed. “Well, can they all come?”
Ellie tapped her on the nose. “Why don’t you go get ready and I’ll call them and ask.”
“Yay!” After twirling once more, the girl sprinted toward her room.
Clay cupped his hands to his mouth and hollered after her. “And if you’re ready in ten minutes, we’ll swing by and visit Aunt Caraleigh and Uncle Luke.”
Another squeal reached their ears before she vanished around the corner. Bethany loved visiting Clay’s sister and Luke and asked them every week when the two of them were going to move out into their own house.
Ellie had been truthful with Bethany, telling her that Caraleigh and Luke could leave the group home just as soon as they were ready, but first, they needed to make sure that after all the difficulties and traumas they’d experienced growing up, the two adults felt comfortable with the idea of living on their own. Happily, according to their last family conference, that date was coming up soon.
The way Clay’s eyes shined when he talked about his sister moving nearby was something that Ellie wished she could bottle.
Ellie crossed the dining room and leaned her head on Clay’s shoulder. “You know, I could never have done this without you. You’re so good with Bethany. She loves you already.”
“Oh, I don’t know, you seemed to be doing just fine on your own there before I crashed your girl party.” His hands slid around her waist, tugging her closer.
She pushed up on her toes to give him a kiss, smiling against his lips. “Does that mean you’re buying me waffles too, Mr. Best Waffle Restaurant in the World?”
Clay cradled her cheeks in his big, solid hands, leaning back just far enough so he could stare into her eyes, and only the tips of their noses touched. “Absolutely. All superheroes deserve waffles.”
Winding her arms around his neck, Ellie closed her eyes, allowing herself to bask in the moment. With Clay, she’d finally found her equal. A partner who understood how seriously she took her responsibilities and not only appreciated her for those choices but stood by her side no matter how bumpy the road.
She grazed her mouth across his before reluctantly stepping back. “I’m not sure I’m quite up to superhero caliber yet, but I’m glad the credits rolled on at least one villain. You know, maybe if I had one of those cute little capes, though…”
Ellie was still smiling when she and Clay left the apartment with Bethany between them. The little girl clung to each of their hands as they walked through the building and emerged into a beautiful, cloudless day, jabbering on the entire time about waffles and syrup and whipped cream.
Anyone passing by would mistake them for just another happy family, heading out for a Saturday morning breakfast.
The thought dissolved a tight ball in Ellie’s chest that she hadn’t even realized was still there. Slowing to a stop, she tipped her head back to let the winter sun warm her cheeks.
“Everything okay?”
Her smile smoothed the crease from Clay’s brow. She squeezed Bethany’s hand and allowed the impatient eight-year-old to tug her into a quicker pace.
“It’s going to be.”
The End...And Only The Start
Closing a book and ending the story can be sad—to leave Ellie behind, even though her adventure has a satisfying outcome. She’s erased the circle of evil, found a kindred spirit, and become a true superhero. But on her path, we met someone whose journey is only beginning.
Charli Cross, the Savannah homicide detective Ellie and Clay worked with in the Ellie Kline Series, also has a fire within her soul to fight evil. In the upcoming Charli Cross Series, you’ll follow Charli and her partner as they work and sometimes risk their lives to combat the evil that likes to devour innocence. Charli’s fascination with serial killers stems from a horrible event in her own life, as a teenaged girl. One she won’t forget. She can't rest until she’s found justice. Come along with Charli as she fights to lay her ghosts to rest. If you dare.
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How did it all start for Ellie Kline?
Cold Start is a bonus story to
