Page 52 of Blackstone's Heart

"They're waiting for you in the living room with your dad."

Krista released her mother and walked to the living room. Debbie faced Ethan. Before he could blink, she was pulling him to her and hugging him for all she was worth. "Thank you Ethan. Thank you for staying with her."

"You never have to thank me for that, Debbie. I will always be there for her." Ethan sighed, hugging her back.

Debbie pulled back and just looked at him a moment. Ethan had no idea what she saw, but whatever it was pleased her. She gave a curt nod, looped her arm with his and steered him to the living room. The scene they walked in on both warmed and broke Ethan's heart. Krista was in the arms of a woman who bore a striking resemblance to Jerry, and the man next to them had his arms around both women.

"Oh Krista."

"Tessa I'm so sorry."

“Thank you.” Tessa said.

"You must be Ethan. Jerry told us about you. I'm Carl Summerland." The older man said releasing Tessa and Krista.

"Hello Mr. Summerland. I'm sorry we're meeting this way and I'm deeply sorry for what happened to Jerry." Ethan nodded, shaking Carl’s hand.

"Thank you. I understand you and your company are helping protect Krista." Carl said.

"Yes sir."

Tessa stood and moved to her husband's side. "Jerry told us you were a Marine. That all your men were."

"That's right ma'am. Myself and my Alpha team all served in the same unit and were teammates then and now." Ethan replied.

"When you find him, this psycho that took my boy and terrorized Krista, I want you to make him hurt. I know he needs to pay for his crimes but…but you can make it a painful trip to the courthouse can’t you?" Tessa demanded.

"We can and we will Mrs. Summerland. I may have only known your son a few weeks, but I think he and I would have been good friends had we the time. I swear, I'll make this man feel every ounce of pain he's caused." Ethan vowed.

***

Krista helped her mom and Tessa set the table while the men were in the backyard. "I like your Marine Kris." Tessa smiled a little.

"Um, well he's not mine exactly." Krista shrugged.

"Oh? I see the way he looks at you. He's yours baby." Tessa countered.

"I told you Tess, she wouldn't believe you." Debbie grinned.

"You two are horrible you know that." Krista grumbled.

The older ladies laughed. Tessa cleared her throat. "Oh, I didn't think I could laugh again after what happened. Thank you, both of you. Now, Krista what will you do about your book?"

"Actually, that's something I wanted to talk to you and Carl about." Krista said.

The men chose that moment to walk in with the food. "Meat's on." Nick declared.

After everyone was seated, Tessa picked up the conversation. "What was it you wanted to discuss with me and Carl about the book?"

"I spoke to Stacey this morning. She says if I wanted to hold off on release we could." Krista answered.

Carl frowned. "Why would you do that?"

"Well...um, I really don't know why."

"Krista, Jerry was so proud of you and your work. What was it he used to say, ah yes, 'Why cancel the party because of a hurricane? Let's rock and get me another drink." Carl laughed.

The whole table erupted into peals of laughter. Krista remembered the night that saying was born. She, Jerry, and her brothers were in Miami. It had been storming its ass off due to the tropical storm off the coast. But Jerry hadn't cared. Neither had half the city for that matter. He had yelled at the top of his lungs, standing on a table of all things, "Why cancel the party for a hurricane! Let's rock and get me another drink!"