CHAPTER FOUR

“Well, come on over here, darlin’.” Before Elena knew what was happening, Jolene Hayes had encased her in a hug. Not knowing what to do, Elena let Jolene envelope her, trying not to sneeze when the other woman’s hair tickled her nose.

Dylan’s sister was a classic, blue-eyed American beauty with flowing locks worthy of a shampoo commercial. Elena tried not to think about her own black hair, unruly and totally unstyleable. She had put it up in a ponytail. It was much warmer in Bellhaven than in Chicago, and her hair was rebelling against the mild humidity.

“Okay, let her breathe.” Dylan untangled her from Jolene and put his arm around her possessively.

“Look at my baby brother being all protective of his girl.”

“That’s my job—to shield her from vultures.”

Elena gently brushed away his arm. “I can take care of myself, thank you.” He was taking the cowboy routine a bit far. He had shown up today in one of those plaid shirts from his closet, jeans and cowboy boots. He’d actually tipped his cowboy hat when she came down the stairs.

Jolene leaned forward and whispered loudly, “There’s still hope for you. Escape from this madness while you still have the chance.”

Dylan swatted his sister playfully.

“I’m not kiddin’.” Jolene’s smile disappeared, and suddenly the air grew thick. Elena felt Dylan’s grip on her tighten. “Momma will eat us alive if we don’t get a turkey on the hunt.”

“Jolene!” Dylan said warningly.

Elena smiled nervously. Maybe she could get Jolene on her side. “Well, I’m used to intense community events. I grew up in Syracuse, where there’s a huge Greek community. Every year there’s this grape stomping festival to make authentic Greek wine and whoever produces the most juice is crowned queen for the year. My feet are still purple from all the years my mom stood there screaming, ‘stomp Elena! Stomp, stomp, stomp!’” She said the last part in her mother’s throaty Greek accent, trying to be funny, but the words came out all shrieky.

Jolene stared at her and Dylan cleared his throat. “Well, hopefully it won’t be that bad,” he said softly.

Elena swallowed.

“All righty now,” Mrs. Hayes’s stern voice rang out. “Let’s get goin’.”

They went outside and Mrs. Hayes stopped on the top step. Elena followed her gaze to the roses. Dylan had re-potted them last night. Elena didn’t know a lot about flowers, but even she could tell they were wilted. Her heart sank to her toes.

Mrs. Hayes shook her head, “I was finally gonna beat Rose with those roses.” She picked up a watering can and sprinkled water over the soil, then reverently picked up the container and set it on the bottom step.

They’re just flowers! Elena wanted to scream, but she bit her tongue. This was why she loved Chicago; people didn’t sweat the small stuff.

Jolene handed her a bow and a couple of arrows. Seriously? The bow was more than half her height. “This is my starter bow from high school—it’ll be easier for you to handle.”

Everyone else’s bows looked like they’d come from a medieval battlefield.