The next few days passed quietly, almost too quietly. There were no strange deliveries, no unsettling notes, no prickling sensation of being watched. Riley almost let herself believe that Eli’s presence had somehow scared off her stalker.
She thought about him often. His steady hands, his calm voice, the way he’d stepped in to help her without hesitation. She found herself curious about him—who he was, why he seemed so protective, and what had led him to Chicago. But she wasn’t ready to tell him her own story. Not yet.
At work, the restaurant owner approached her with a warm smile. “Riley, tomorrow night we’re having a party at my house. My 70th birthday. You should come. The restaurant will be closed.”
Riley hesitated but eventually agreed. The invitation felt sincere, and she didn’t want to disappoint the older woman who had been so kind to her.
The next evening, Riley arrived at the house with a small gift in hand. As she approached the porch, she noticed someone standing in the shadows.
“Eli?” she called softly.
He turned, holding a gift box in his hands, his expression unreadable.
“I didn’t know you knew Mrs. and Mr. Stone,” Riley said, stepping closer.
Eli gave her an awkward smile. “Yeah. I… kind of do.”
“Aren’t you coming in?” she asked, frowning.
Eli sighed, glancing at the gift in his hands. “No. I’m just going to leave this here.” He set the box down on the porch railing. “Can you tell her I said happy birthday?”
Riley frowned deeper. “Why don’t you just come in and tell her yourself?”
He shook his head, stepping back. “I can’t,” he muttered, his voice tight. Before she could press him further, he turned and walked away.
Riley stared after him, confused, before picking up his gift and heading inside.
**
The Stones greeted her warmly, and Riley handed them the box. “This is from Eli,” she said carefully. “He told me to tell you happy birthday, but… he left.”
Mrs. Stone’s face softened, tears brimming in her eyes. She and her husband exchanged a glance, and then Mrs. Stone hugged Riley tightly.
“You know Eli?” she asked, her voice trembling.
Riley hesitated. “We’re neighbors,” she said finally.
Mrs. Stone pulled back, her hands trembling. “Eli is our son.”
Riley’s breath caught. “Your son? Why didn’t he come in?”
Mrs. Stone’s expression turned sorrowful. “He still blames himself for his brother’s death. We’ve told him we forgive him, but he won’t believe us. He won’t even let himself come home.” She wiped a tear from her cheek. “We didn’t know he was back in town.”