“That was impressive.” Caroline looked up at Jax in surprise. “Would that work with Hunter?”
Jax glanced over at her with a huge grin. “I don’t know.” He chuckled. “I’ll have to try it.”
Caroline laughed. “I want to see that.”
“Jilly!” A young boy slammed open the front door and ran at breakneck speed down the steps. Throwing himself into Jill’s arms, he knocked her on her ass from her kneeling position near the dogs.
The dogs wanted to join, but Jax growled and they remained sitting, panting with their tails wagging in excitement.
“Oh, my God.” Jill held the little boy out from her. “You can’t be Seth.”
“I am,” he said proudly, puffing his little chest out.
“You can’t be,” Jill continued to tease. “You’re too big to be my little Seth.”
“Jilly, it’s me,” Seth said, his tone turning worried.
Jill laughed, hugging her brother tightly. “I know that silly.” She tickled his stomach. “I was just teasing you. Is Mom and Dad here?”
Caroline grinned as she watched Jill and her little brother, but her heart also ached.
“What do you want, Jillian?” A woman’s voice came out of nowhere. Caroline looked around Jax to see a beautiful woman walking their way.
Jill stood, helping Seth up. “I needed to talk to you and Dad,” Jill replied, and then glanced uncomfortably at Jax and Caroline. “These are my friends, Jax and Caroline. This is my mom.”
“It’s nice to meet you, Mrs. Nichols.” Caroline smiled, feeling uncomfortable when Jill’s mom seemed to study her and found her lacking. Jax didn’t say a word. He remained standing with arms crossed, staring ahead.
Trevor picked that moment to come flying down the driveway breaking the uncomfortable situation.
“Can you give a guy some warning, Jill?” Trevor hopped out of the car. “I had a hot date waiting for me, but you threatening me with bodily harm if I didn’t show up here ruined the mood.”
“I’ve seen some of your dates, Trevor. And believe me their not as hot as you think they are.” Jill shot back with a roll of her eyes, Caroline snorted, Jax grinned, while Seth climbed up on Trevor’s back, and their mom narrowed her eyes in disapproval.
“I have to disagree, sister. Busty Barb is as hot as they come.” Trevor smiled a hello to Jax and Caroline. “Okay, can we get this show on the road so I can get some action going without fear of getting my ass kicked?”
“Trevor!” her mom scolded with a slight shake of her head. Everyone grinned, even Ms. Nichols who seemed to have relaxed a little.
CHAPTER 17
Jill watched her mom trying her best not to smile as Seth continued to say ass, but then she had to become stern to make him stop. Jill just stood there as Trevor headed toward the house, followed by her mom. She hadn’t been in her home since the day she’d been turned. Trevor stopped at the steps looking back at her.
“Well, are you coming?” Trevor frowned. Seth was still on his back, but silent.
Glancing at Jax and Caroline, she saw that they were staring at her, waiting for her cue. Making her feet move, she followed Trevor up the steps. Her mom had already gone inside. At the door, she paused before going inside.
“Are you okay?” Jax leaned down to whisper to her.
Jill nodded. “Just been a long time since I’ve been welcomed here,” she replied honestly.
Even before she stepped inside, the smells of home hit her hard. Her eyes traveled the room. Overwhelmed with memories, her knees weakened. Nothing had changed. The door they went through led into the kitchen, which was still painted in the same pale yellow. Her gaze automatically went to the white lace curtains that she had always loved. Finally, her eyes met her mother’s, and there was something there other than fear and disdain.
“Jelly Bean!” Her dad walked into the kitchen, his hair a little messy indicating he’d been napping, probably in the same old chair he had since she was a child.
“Hey, Dad!” Jill swallowed the large lump stuck in the back of her throat. She walked over, hugged him tightly, and then smoothed his hair down like she used to do. “You taking care of yourself?”
“Well, you just caught me napping in the middle of the day. I’d say that’s taking care of myself pretty darn good.” He chuckled then looked toward Jax and Caroline.
“Dad, this is Jax Wheeler and Caroline Fitzpatrick,” Jill introduced them, glancing at her mother again, but she had since busied herself with Seth.
“Nice meeting you, Mr. Nichols.” Caroline smiled, taking his hand.
“Call me Chuck.” He shook her hand then Jax’s with a large friendly smile. “Where’s Slade?”