Riley's Redemption (A Moon's Glow Novel) (16 page)

He only nodded and
pushed past us. He was leaning against the wall next to the door when we
followed him in. We both took positions across from him on the couch. I wanted
to make things better for him, but I didn’t know how. I thought of Marisa and
how well she took it. When she talked about Sadie she seemed so grown up. I was
surprised by how mature she had been. An idea entered my mind and I excused
myself to make a call.

About five minutes
later, there was a knock at the door. Since Nathan was standing in front of it
he opened it. Marisa stood on the porch, the moonlight shone on her face
showing tiny freckles on her nose. Her black hair almost faded into the night.
She was smiling shyly at the boy she hardly knew. “Can we take a walk?” she
asked Nathan.

He looked surprised by
her question, but instead of answering he only nodded sadly. He turned to Nate,
the sorrow still in his eyes before he stepped out onto the porch.

I closed the door
behind them softly and leaned against it. “He’ll be fine Nate.”

He closed his eyes and
breathed in deeply. “I hope so. Did you call her?”

“Yes.”

“Thank you,” he
breathed out in a tired sigh.

Sadie came back shortly
after Marisa left and she watched the rest of the movie with us. I had to admit
she was fun to have around. When she and Nate got talking about the good old
days, I couldn’t help but wish I’d known them back then. It would have been
wonderful to start Riley House together. To be part of developing such an
important institution must have been amazing. I knew how much I loved helping
the residents, it was a feeling I never knew until just before I got together
with Nate. I was thankful that we had something so great in common.

Nathan didn’t come
back, but Marisa texted me around midnight saying that Nathan was doing better
and he planned to talk to Nate in the morning.

We called it a night
shortly after. Sadie disappeared into the guestroom, while Nate and I retired
to our own.

Dress-Up

The next morning our
group of girls loaded up in my car and we headed to my parent’s house. The
mansion was a buzz of activity with workers decorating for the evening. The
rooms were decked out with a myriad of lilacs and white roses, my favorite
flowers. The smell in the house was breathtaking.

My parents were nowhere
to be seen as I ushered my friends into my room. I was tempted to go see Mona,
but I was afraid of how she would react. She always got horribly nervous when
my parents threw big events. I had learned to stay out of the kitchen when I
was around twelve and my normally relaxed and funny Nanny-turned-cook bit my
head off just because I had taken a puff pastry off of a tray. Once all the
food was prepared she’d turn back to the loving, sarcastic woman I loved.

“Wow,” I heard Marisa
exclaim as she entered the room before me. “It’s huge in here.” I grinned at
Lauren as we stepped over the threshold. “You have your own bathroom and
walk-in closet!” She spun around to face me as we entered; her eyes were bright
with excitement. “Why did you move out?”

I was about to answer
her when I stopped short. In the center of my room, stood a roller rack filled
with dresses and a note taped to the top. Tears sprang to my eyes at the words
that were written on it:

Mona told me you were
coming today to lend dresses to your friends.

I had Meryl bring in
a few new ones to loan for the night.

You girls can pick
whatever you like. Have fun!

I’m sorry I ruined
your wedding. I want to make it up to you.

By the way, I hope
you choose the ivory one.

I have dreamed of
seeing you in a wedding dress since you were a baby.

This is close
enough.

Love Mom.

“Wow, what’s gotten
into your mom?” Lauren asked, reading the letter over my shoulder. I could feel
her breath puffing against my neck since I was wearing it up in a tail.

“I don’t know,” I
choked out. “I finally told her how I felt when I got home from Vegas. Maybe
she feels guilty.”

“You what?” Lauren
practically yelled at me.

I looked up from the
note in my hand, turning to face my best friend in confusion. “Why are you
yelling?” I asked instead of answering her, not sure what she meant.

“You told your mother
how you feel after all these years of taking her shit and you never told me?”
Her words were laced with a mixture of hurt and anger.

Sadie and Marisa
exchanged glances and moved to the rack to sift through it.

I furrowed my brows,
unsure why she was so upset. “I’m sorry, I forgot. I was busy with the shelter
and then Adrian called. I hadn’t spoken to you in a while.”

Her face softened
slightly as she gripped my shoulders, her fingers digging into my skin. Her
scent wafted into my nostrils.

“Ow,” I said dryly and
she loosened her grip.

“
So
, tell me
what happened.”

I sighed, not seeing a
way out of this explanation. I pulled out of her grip and fell onto the edge of
the bed. “She came to the cottage the day we got back from our honeymoon and
threw a hissy fit.” I proceeded to tell her what happened that day and she was
as surprised as I had been by my mother’s reaction.

“Do you think she’s
changed?” Lauren asked over the noise of clinking hangers and squeals from Marisa.

“Maybe a little. She’s
been planning the reception how I wanted with Mona.” When Lauren’s eyebrows
rose, I added, “But she called when I was on the road with Adrian and she flipped
out again. She said that if I didn’t make it back in time for the reception
she’d never speak to me again.”

“It sounds like she
wants to change, but doesn’t know how,” Sadie observed. I didn’t think she was
paying attention. Marisa had been pulling dress after dress off the rack.

“At least she’s
trying,” Lauren commented, her voice warm and comforting.

I looked back down at
the paper that I was still grasping in my hand and felt my heart clench. Could
she be really reaching out to me just when I will eventually have to leave? I
was a werewolf now. I couldn’t stay here forever. I brushed away the traitorous
tears from my face, stuffed the note into the pocket of my jean shorts and
focused on Marisa. She stood frozen with a hot pink dress held up against her.
She was staring at me with concern in her eyes. “I’m fine. Did you find one you
like?” I asked, hoping to lighten the heavy mood that had fallen over us.

“How could I pick just
one, they’re all so beautiful. I’ve only seen dresses like these on TV.”

Sadie winced at her
words as she sat down next to me. I put a hand on her shoulder and squeezed,
leaning in to whisper in her ear. “Love and support is better than money and
presents. I should know.”

Sadie smiled sadly and
mouthed the words ‘thank you’.

“Lauren, how is Nathan
doing? He was upset when I sent him off with Marisa,” I asked, hoping I had
done the right thing. He was so upset and tormented last night I was afraid for
my new family’s dynamic.

Lauren gazed at Mari
and smiled, taking a seat in the chair near the windows. “He’s much better
after his talk with her. What did you say to him?”

“I just told him my
story. And when I explained how much I loved Sadie and wouldn’t let the fact
that she wasn’t exactly human effect the way I saw her, he seemed to relax a
little. He thanked me and left shortly after.” She shrugged her shoulders
dismissing her actions. Sadie’s eyes watered with unshed tears. It was clear
how much Marisa’s words had affected her.

“Are we going to pick
out dresses or talk about our feelings?” Marisa asked, seeming uncomfortable
with the emotions that were flowing around the room.

Taking her cue, I stood
up and held out a soft pink dress with a flowered strap and two big flowers
adorning the side and skirt. There was also a chiffon train that could be
removed. “This looks perfect for you.” I suggested.

Mari touched the soft
material. “It is pretty, but I was hoping for something longer, so I could look
more grown up.”

Sadie groaned as she
joined us. “Don’t rush it honey, just enjoy your life.” She took the dress from
me and shoved it at the girl. “Try it on. I think it will look adorable on
you.”

Marisa rolled her eyes.
“That’s what I’m afraid of.” She took the dress anyway and slipped into my
closet. I sat back on the bed and watched my friends shop. It wasn’t exactly my
favorite thing to do. However, I did enjoy finding dresses or clothes for
others who enjoyed it more, especially if they couldn’t afford them on their
own. I loved how girl’s eyes lit up at the shelter when I would bring in
clothes that I never wore or had outgrown. It brought me joy to make someone
happy with something I no longer wanted.

“Aren’t you going to
look for one to wear?” Lauren asked me, holding a light gray beaded maxi dress.

“I will, but I like
watching you guys. I’ll just take what’s left.”

She shook her head at
me. “She’s not really into clothes,” she explained to Sadie.

“You wouldn’t be either
if you were given designer outfits instead of love.”

Lauren held the dress
up to her body and looked in the mirror. “True,” she agreed simply.

Sadie stopped her
perusal of the dresses and smiled at me. “I’m not into fashion either. I admit
that I’m stuck in the sixties. I don’t see the need to fuss over what goes on
my body when there is so much more that needs my attention.”

“And when she says
she’s stuck in the sixties, that means it’s the last time she went shopping,”
Marisa added as she emerged from my closet. The short pink dress looked cute.
The color was such a contrast to her midnight black hair, it definitely made a
statement.

Sadie stuck her tongue
out at Marisa and then grinned. “Oh Mari, you look beautiful.”

She really did, but
when she stood in front of the mirror she frowned. “I look like I’m eight.”

“No you don’t, you look
adorable,” Sadie assured her, not knowing that using that word would be the
kiss of death for that dress. Fifteen-year-olds wanted to look older. They did
not want to be called something that could be used for a two-year-old as well.

“Gah!” Mari cringed at
the word, like I knew she would. She reached into the rack and pulled out the
hot pink dress she had clung to earlier. She held it behind her so we couldn’t
see exactly what it looked like. “I want to wear this one.”

“Hold it up so we can
see,” Sadie instructed as she sat down next to me, obviously giving up on
looking.

Marisa shook her head.
“No, I’m going to try it on first.” She turned to Lauren. “Are you trying that
one on?” she asked when she saw Lauren staring in the mirror holding a rust
colored dress.

Lauren nodded. “I think
so.”

“Let’s go.” Mari
motioned with her head to my closet and they disappeared together to try the
dresses in their arms.

I leaned back, my hands
stretched out onto the soft, lilac colored duvet that now covered my bed. “Go
ahead Sadie, try a few on. That’s why we’re here.”

She scrunched up her
face. “I’m kind of out of my element. Before I was turned, I went to parties
like this. My family were also lawyers and I was going to be one myself. But
that was sixty years ago. There are not a lot of chances to dress up when
you’re on the run and I never had jobs that paid enough to spend that much on
clothes. I feel bad that I couldn’t afford to buy much of anything for Marisa.”

I sat up and tucked my
hair behind my ear. “I’m sure she had all she needed,” I reassured her,
reaching out to pat her knee. “You did a good job with her, I can tell. Stop
second-guessing yourself.”

She pressed her lips
together and ducked her head, her braid falling over her shoulder.

I hopped off the bed,
feeling suddenly close to this girl who berated herself so often. The image of
the wolf that had bothered me before disappeared. Adrian was right; she
responded in the moment, it wasn’t who she truly was. I pulled a purple pleated
chiffon gown that had a high neckline. With her skin tone the color would look
great. “Here try this on. You’ll blow Adrian away.”

She stood up and took
the dress from me, holding it out like it smelled rotten. “I don’t think that’s
possible. He still hates me for keeping him from his sister and I don’t blame
him.”

I was going to argue,
but I knew she was right. “Just because he hasn’t forgiven you, doesn’t mean
you can’t torture him. You’re his mate and when he sees you all dolled up,
he’ll drool like the wolf he is.”

Sadie grinned, her eyes
shining brightly. “Okay.” She took the dress from me just as the girls came out
of the closet.

My mouth dropped open
at the sight of Mari.

A low growl rumbled in
Sadie’s chest, her eyes narrowed, but thankfully they weren’t yellow. “Not a
chance in hell,” she said to Mari who was smiling from ear to ear.

“Whoa, calm down Mama
Wolf,” I laughed at Sadie’s response. Sure I agreed with her that Mari would
not be wearing that, but no need to growl.

“What?” Mari asked,
standing in front of the mirror wearing the hot pink keyhole spaghetti strap
dress with a beaded bodice. There was a high ruffled slit that exposed most of
her right leg.

“You’re not wearing a
dress that shows your stomach and your leg,” Sadie answered her without
growling.

Marisa’s face lit up.
“Why not? I think it’s sexy.”

“That is exactly why
you’re not wearing it.”

I couldn’t help picture
Adrian’s face if she walked into the party with that on. I laughed to myself at
the image.

Everyone’s attention
shifted to me. “What’s so funny?” Lauren asked.

“I was just imagining
Adrian’s reaction if she wore that.”

All the girls except
Mari laughed out loud.

“His head would explode
and then he’d yell at me for letting her,” Sadie agreed, still holding the
dress I had picked out for her.

Marisa pouted and then
twirled around the room, the bright pink material billowing out around her.

“Sadie, you go try that
on. I’ll find something else for Mari.” Once she disappeared into the closet, I
turned to Lauren. “That looks amazing on you.”

She smiled, her face
washing with happiness. “Yeah, I like it. I might try on some more though.”

I pulled a royal blue
and yellow dress and handed it to Marisa. “Here, take this. I think it’s a good
comprise from what both you and Sadie want.”

She gazed longingly in
the mirror before taking the garment in my hand. “Fine,” she mumbled.

As she ducked into the
closet, Sadie was just leaving wearing the dress. She looked beautiful. The
color was perfect. “What do you think?” I asked her.

She smiled widely. “I
feel like a little girl playing dress up.” She stood in front of the mirror and
twirled around, the skirt of the dress ballooned out around her. “I’m much more
comfortable in t-shirts and faded jeans.”

“You look hot,” Lauren
observed. “Adrian’s going to have puppies.”

Sadie gazed at herself
and grinned wickedly. “You think he’ll even notice?”

I scoffed at her. “He’d
have to be dead not to. But, I’m not sure about the style on you.”

Lauren studied Sadie’s
appearance. “You’re right, it does kind of swallow her up.”

I pulled out the only
other purple dress and after looking at it, I knew it was the one. “This will
look better.”

Marisa rushed out of
the closet as Sadie was taking the dress out of my hands. “Oooh, I love it.”
She stood in front of the mirror and twirled. The dress was perfect. The top
was yellow halter style and the bottom was a beaded royal blue with a yellow
ruffle running down the center. There was a slit in this one as well, but since
it only went as high as the knee, it showed off the yellow material inside
instead of the little bit of leg that was exposed.