“Yeah.” Arianna reached for her laptop bag. “I think you should see the video.”
Eli hesitated for a moment before tugging his gloves off and removing his mask completely. “Okay.”
Arianna pulled her laptop out and got to her feet. After a glance around the shop, she decided that the piece of wood he was working on was the best place to view it. With hands that trembled slightly, she opened it and once again clicked on the link Rebecca had sent.
She stood beside him as it began to play, but she didn’t watch it again, choosing instead to stare at the floor. It was bad enough that she had to listen to the words all over again. She didn’t need to see the video replayed.
Eli’s shoulders slumped as the video continued, and when it ended, he just sat there staring at the screen. When Arianna laid her hand gently on his shoulder, he looked up at her, regret written all over his face.
“I’m so sorry, Anna,” he said.
CHAPTER FORTY
“No,” Arianna said as she knelt on the floor beside Eli. She took his hand in hers, feeling the roughness and strength in it. “I’m the one who’s sorry. You couldn’t control what happened with the investigation, and the only reason it’s out there now like this is because of me. If I didn’t have such a huge following online, if people weren’t so interested in my life, you wouldn’t be having your personal life put out there for people to dissect and comment on.”
He stared down at her for what felt like an eternity before he said, “I don’t care.”
“What?”
“You’d told me about your life, and I still wanted to be with you. I’m just sorry you’re tainted by the suspicions that have been directed at me. I don’t want it to negatively affect your business.”
“I don’t care about that,” Arianna said, echoing his earlier sentiment. “My channel will survive. The question is, will you…will your family…be able to withstand the scrutiny that’s likely to come as a result of the video. I wish I could say it’s unlikely that people might show up here looking for me and, possibly, you. However, other YouTubers have had rabid fans that have tracked them down.”
Eli’s brow furrowed. “Are they dangerous? These rabid fans?”
Arianna hesitated. “Most aren’t.”
“But some are?”
She shrugged. “Very few. I’m not worried that they’re dangerous. I’m more worried that they’ll just make a nuisance of themselves.”
“Thankfully, the lodge and all the land around it are private property. If they come here with the purpose of bothering you or any of my family, we can have them arrested.”
Arianna sat back on her heels, her hand still holding Eli’s. “Are you sure you want the hassle?”
His thumb rubbed the back of her hand. “Isn’t it a little too late to worry about that?”
“What do you mean?”
“Whether we like it or not, the video and its message are out there for all to see.” He leaned forward, resting his elbows on his knees, bringing them closer together. “All we can do now is just deal with it as best we can. I don’t care if the world thinks I’m guilty. I know the truth, and those who care about me know the truth. I trust God that, in the end, truth will prevail.”
She stared at him, marveling at his strength and his ability to accept what she’d just revealed to him. He had every right to be angry with her and the spotlight of attention she’d shone onto his life and the situation he was facing. She’d expected him to be angry or frustrated with her, but instead, he was looking at her, a small smile on his lips.
“But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.” His smile grew slightly, softening his expression. “That’s First Corinthians 15:57. It’s a verse Pastor Evans gave to me in the midst of my year of self-imposed retreat from the town. I’ve clung to it when faced with a situation that feels like it’s going to overwhelm me.” His smile faded as his gaze went distant. “I haven’t always remembered it, to be honest, but when I have, it gives me comfort and hope.”
Comfort and hope were things that she hadn’t thought much about over the years. Certainly the money she had meant she’d always been comfortable. She’d been able to make decisions about where to live, what to do…even what to drive…with no considerations other than what she wanted. And hope? There hadn’t been much that she’d had to hope for that she couldn’t just make happen with her money and connections.
But right then, she hoped for something that her money and connections couldn’t guarantee her. In fact, in this particular situation, money and connections probably hurt more than they helped. Though it seemed that Eli wasn’t upset with her for what had happened, it was entirely possible that—having seen how her career could impact his personal life—he wouldn’t want that in the long term.
Would God really give her a taste of what real love could be, only to take it away from her? After what had happened with David, she’d doubted that she’d ever want another man close to her. She’d been just fine without a man before David had come into her life, and she’d planned to be just fine without a man after he’d departed.
But then she’d left the bubble she’d been living in and met Eli. Her perspective on so many things had changed since arriving in New Hope. Even the idea of returning to her life in LA fit her about as well as a two-sizes-too-small pair of jeans. She didn’t want what LA had to offer anymore.
She wanted life there in New Hope. The town. The people. The church. Nadine, Sarah, and Leah. Eli… Most of all, Eli.
“If you want, I’ll leave, and I’ll make it clear that I’m not in New Hope any longer.”
“No.” Eli frowned and shook his head. “I mean, if you want to leave, I’d never stop you, but you don’t need to leave on my account.”
“Is it okay if I stay…on your account?”
A smile slowly spread across Eli’s face, lighting up his eyes. “I would really like that.”
“Even if my presence in New Hope comes with a bit of a spotlight on you?” Arianna asked. “Or more than a bit, to be honest.”
“Even if,” Eli replied, his hand tightening around hers. “You’ve brought light and laughter into my life. I’d been content in my life here. Helping out with the lodge. Helping at the church. Doing my woodwork. It was enough. But then you came along, and my heart decided that it wanted more. It wanted you.”
“It would seem our hearts are in line,” Arianna said, feeling relief at his words. They’d been dancing around their feelings even as they’d talked about the future, but she was done with that. “You’ve come to mean the world to me, Eli. I love you. So very much.”
Eli got to his feet, pulling her along with him. Once they were both standing, he cupped her face in his hands and leaned down to brush his lips lightly against hers. “I love you too. You have my heart, Anna. Whatever that means for the future—spotlight, no spotlight—I’m in it with you, for as long as you want. Hopefully forever.”
Arianna moved closer to Eli, sliding her hands up to the back of his neck to anchor herself to him. As their kiss lingered, her fingers sank into his hair. The feel of his arms around her made her feel protected. Safe. Connected. Warmth flowed through her, and she never wanted the moment to end. Her love for him fill every cell of her body, obliterating every other emotion she’d felt as she’d made her way over to talk to him.
When their kiss ended, Eli rested his forehead against hers. “I hate to bring this to an end, but I think we should probably talk to Mom about what’s happened before she hears about it from someone else.”
“Yes,” Arianna agreed. “I figured I’d tell you first and then talk to her and the twins. I didn’t see anyone in the lodge when I left though.”
“They’re probably cleaning the cabins,” Eli said as he stepped back a bit. He smiled at her as he ran the backs of his fingers down her cheek. “Let me get changed, then we can go talk to them. Did you drive?”
Arianna nodded. “I just wanted to get here quickly
to talk to you.”
When Eli headed to his room to change, Arianna returned her laptop to the bag then drove back to the lodge since Eli planned to bring his truck. It was still quiet when she walked into the building, so she went to the kitchen and set her laptop up on the counter. She wasn’t sure if they’d want to watch the video, but just in case, she’d have it ready.
As she waited for them to appear, Arianna prayed that Nadine and the girls would be as willing to accept what had happened as Eli had been. She needed them to know that Eli was important to her, and she would do what she could to protect him in the future. As important as he was to her, they were important to her as well. She wanted them all in her life…not just in the short term, but in the future as well.
***
Eli grabbed his truck keys from the hook near the door and left the cabin. He had emotions swirling inside him that he’d never felt before. Sure, there was some anxiety over the video, but more than that, the feelings that had exploded within him when Anna had told him she loved him had been eclipsed only by the love he felt for her in return. It was more than he’d ever imagined it could be.
On the drive to the lodge, he spotted his mom and the girls leaving one of the cabins. He pulled to a stop and rolled down the window to offer them a lift.
“Thanks for the ride for the last five hundred feet,” Leah said as she climbed into the seat behind him. “I wasn’t sure I was going to be able to make it.”
Eli grinned at the heavy sarcasm in Leah’s voice. “I figured as much, which is why I stopped. I knew Mom and Sarah could make it, but you were definitely dragging, sis.”
His seat jerked as she kicked it from behind. “Just drive.”
“As you wish, ma’am.”
Sarah and his mom snickered as he drove the short remaining distance to the lodge. He hoped their good humor remained after Anna had talked with them. Unfortunately, his family was over-protective of him, so they wouldn’t be happy to hear about the video that had been made about him and Anna. He just hoped that they didn’t blame Anna because the bottom line was, if Coral hadn’t attacked her, no one would have made the video of them.
He followed them into the lodge, heading for the kitchen where he was sure Anna waited. The twins took the cleaning stuff to the small room under the stairs where they kept all the supplies, while his mom disappeared into her room.
Anna stood beside the counter, her laptop open next to her. When their gazes met, all he could see was the worry in hers. He went to her and slipped his arms around her.
“It’ll be fine,” Eli said softly. He knew that to Anna, that probably sounded like he was saying that his mom and the girls would be okay with what had happened. Unfortunately, it didn’t. For him, it meant that no matter what their response, they would deal with it together.
Eli stepped back from Anna as the twins walked into the kitchen, Sarah talking a mile a minute while Leah listened—maybe. He had a feeling that in actuality, Leah had tuned her out.
“What’s up?” Leah asked, her gaze going to the laptop.
Eli rested his hand on Anna’s back. “We need to show you ladies something then talk about it.”
Leah arched a brow at him. “That sounds rather ominous.”
He felt Anna tense next to him and slid his arm around her waist again and pulled her more closely to his side.
“Though it appears you’ve managed to figure out things between the two of you,” she continued.
Eli searched Anna’s expression for how she might feel about that, but as usual, she was keeping her emotions locked down. “Yes. We have.”
“You have what?” his mom asked as she came into the kitchen.
The tension still hadn’t left Anna’s body, and it increased even further at his mom’s question.
“Oh, never mind,” she said as her gaze came to rest on the two of them standing so close together. She looked at him, worry lurking in her eyes. “Why don’t you look happier about this?”
“We’re happy about this,” Eli told her, “but something else has happened that we need to let you all know about.”
“Am I gonna need a drink for this?” his mom asked.
“I’ll make you a coffee, Mama.” Leah moved toward the coffee maker. “Extra strong.”
“Thanks, darling.” She turned back to Eli. “So what’s happened?”
Figuring that it would be better coming from him, Eli quickly explained what had happened. Keeping his gaze on his mom as her brows drew closer together, he tried to ignore how rigid Anna’s body was against him.
“So now the whole world knows about you and Sheila’s disappearance?”
“Not the whole world,” Eli said, keeping his voice calm.
“Just the millions who follow Anna?”
“Mom.” He waited for her to look back up from the laptop then he reached across the counter and rested his hand over hers where they were clenched together on the counter. “It’ll be okay.”
“But now the whole world thinks you’re a murderer,” she protested.
“I don’t care, Mom,” Eli said. “The people important to me know the truth. The only reason I’m concerned about this at all is because of how it reflects on Anna.”
His mom waved her hand at the laptop. “Is that the video?”
“It is, but I don’t think you should watch it if you’re going to flip out.”
The look she shot him at that remark would have had a lesser man stepping back. “I do not flip out.”
Sarah put her arm around their mom’s shoulders. “You do…sometimes.”
“Here you go.” Leah set a mug of coffee in front of their mom.
She picked it up and took a sip then blew out a long breath. “Thank you, Leah.” After another sip, she looked at Anna as she nodded at the screen. “Show it to me.”
When Anna glanced up at him, Eli gave her a reassuring smile. “Show her. It’ll be okay.”
Anna reached out and clicked on a button that set the frozen screen into motion. Eli didn’t want to watch it again, so he kept his gaze on his mom’s face, watching as her expression darkened when the person talking mentioned that Anna might be in danger because she was associating with him.
“You’re not a danger,” she said indignantly, then turned her gaze to Anna. “He’s not a danger to you.”
“I know, Nadine,” Anna said gently. “I’ve always known.”
“Then why are they saying that?”
“Because they don’t know that. They don’t know him.” Then she shrugged. “And frankly, saying it will make them more money. It’s rather ridiculous. Just a few weeks ago, they were crucifying me in their videos, and now they're all concerned about my safety.”
“A little fickle, are they?”
“More than a little. They’ll swing anyway the money wind blows.”
When the video stopped, his mom reached out and closed the laptop. “So what do we do now?”
“I’m in contact with my PR person. Hopefully she’ll come up with a plan for us.”
“What would happen if you just ignored it?” his mom asked.
“What do you mean?” Anna asked.
“Just don’t acknowledge the video. Don’t respond to it at all.”
Anna appeared to consider that, but she didn’t respond.
“What’s the worst that could happen?” his mom asked, pressing her point.
“They’ll keep making videos about him and the situation,” Anna said.
“And if you say something, do you think they’ll stop?” Anna shook her head. “And what do you think they’ll say if you make a video defending Eli?”
“They’ll say he brainwashed her,” Leah volunteered. “That of course she’d defend him.”
Eli felt Anna take a deep breath then she said, “So I just ignore it?”
“Yep,” his mom replied. “Business as usual. Do whatever you do with your videos and such. If people want to know more about what’s going on with Eli, they’ll just have t
o follow the case. They’re not going to take your word about his innocence, so make them work for it.”
“Really?” Anna asked. “You wouldn’t be upset if I didn’t make a video defending him?”
His mom sighed. “If I thought a video would actually help, I’d insist you make one, but I think the best way to show that Eli means you no harm is to continue to do things the way you always have. If the people who watch you regularly see that you haven’t changed, they’re not going to blame Eli for being a bad influence on you.”
“That makes sense.”
Eli felt some of the tension slip out of Anna’s body, and the knot of worry he’d been trying to ignore in his own gut slowly unraveled. He’d get through this with his family just like they’d gotten through every other rough patch in their lives—together.
When Anna’s phone rang a couple of minutes later, she stared at the screen before saying, “It’s my PR person.”
She tapped the screen and greeted the person on the other end. For the next couple of minutes, Anna didn’t respond, just settled onto a stool next to his mom.
Eli went to the coffee machine and began to make coffee for himself and Anna. He had no idea what the woman on the other end of the phone might be telling her to do. What his mom had said made sense, but she wasn’t a pro, so who knew if the PR person would agree.
When Anna did begin to talk, she shared his mom’s idea. Once she’d finished, she listened again then laughed.
“No worries, Sasha. I’m not replacing you, but like you said, we’re closest to the situation. Do you see any potential issues with this course of action? Something we’re not considering?”
When Eli placed Anna’s mug in front of her, she looked up and smiled at him. He bent down and placed a gentle kiss on her lips. For the first time since she’d come to his cabin, the worry was barely perceptible on her face, and that made his heart feel good.
“Sasha agrees with you, Nadine,” Anna said as she hung up the phone. “She’ll keep an eye on what the drama channels are saying, and Rebecca, my assistant, will read through the comments on any videos I upload and posts I make on social media.”
A Love So Real: A Christian Romance (New Hope Falls Book 1) Page 31
