The Marvelous Elijah’s Return

What did you just say

The sound of her room door opening made Peach raise her head off the pillow and gazed at her mother, standing in the doorway, smiling at her. “Can I come in?” Miss Grace asked cheerfully, closing the door behind her and stepping inside the room.

Slowly, Peach sat up from the bed, hugging her knees as she rested her head on her kneecaps, feeling a sense of sadness welling up within her as she watched her mother approach her with a warm smile and sit down beside her on the edge of the

mattress.

“James made chicken soup for dinner with rice and vegetables.” Miss Grace told her kindly.

Shaking her head slowly, Peach said with a sad smile, “I‘m too full already, Mama.

You should go ahead and eat without me.”

“Peach, you have been in here all day and have barely put much in your stomach. That‘s not healthy!” Miss Grace chided her, gently squeezing Peach‘s hands. One look at her mother and Peach could see her concern clearly written across her wrinkled brows and pursed lips.

The sight made Peach‘s heart clench painfully in her chest, making her realize what her behavior was doing to her mother, so she smiled saintly and said, “Okay, let‘s go.”

The dining hall was quite peaceful when Miss Grace and Peach walked to the table, sitting between Rookie and Ryan.

Suddenly Matt entered the hall, and when James saw him alone, he frowned, mumbling,” Elijah is not joining us?”

Shaking his head slightly, Matt sighed and then said, “He won‘t even answer the door.”

The room fell silent after Matt‘s words and everyone stared at each other quietly for a moment, feeling a mixture of feelings stirring inside them. “Dish some food in a bowl, and I will take it to him,” Peach said, raising her gaze to meet James‘ concerned

ones.

Silently, Miss Grace darted her eyes towards her daughter with a soft expression on

her face.

that there was more going on with Peach‘s feelings towards Elijah than just friendship, and even though she was worried about her daughter and wanted to protect her, she understood that she needed to give

asked, a worried look appearing in her eyes. Giving her mother an encouraging nod, Peach stood up from the seat and picked up the tray that Elijah set before her, mumbling, “The worst that can happen is

tray tightly in her grips.

track.

racing, and she felt lightheaded, her breathing getting heavier. She knew it was ridiculous to act so scaredly, but the

herself down, Peach knocked softly on

passed, and when he didn‘t answer, Peach swallowed softly and said, “I got a tray of

say it‘s delicious if that would get you to eat, but I haven‘t

it, so I

of the door knob turning interrupted her and Peach looked up

an exhausted sigh, Elijah rubbed his hand over his tired eyes while he gave a small

his desk, and turned around to face

as she was about to step past him, Elijah grabbed onto her wrist and pulled her in front

Peach shrugged, trying to look unaffected by his touch, but she knew she wasn‘t fooling him because his touch sent shivers down her

replied, “James made you some food, so I thought…” A small smile touched Elijah‘s lips as he released her wrist and said, “Sit and help me finish

immediately shook her head. But Elijah gently grabbed her by her shoulders

that you weren‘t feeling okay this morning,” Elijah commented softly as he examined her face closely, brushing a stray curl back behind her ear. “Are you not angry?” Peach whispered, unable to hold back her thoughts anymore. Her question caused Elijah to pause for a moment and drew his hand back as he rested against the chair and asked, “Angry? At who?” Shrugging her

answer, watching him curiously. At this point, she didn‘t know what

blinked owlislıly at

eyed him warily. “We should

that had fallen over

handed her a spoon and said, “You should also try a bite of it.” Peach nodded her head and took

people use to get to know each other.” Peach explained as she placed another piece of chicken into her mouth and watched him expectantly. For a few moments, Elijah just stared at her in bewilderment,

know… Maybe a steak.”

“Mmhm… I think I will be a dessert,

Grace felt a sense of relief wash over her as she listened to the gentle

you getting closer to Elijah is a risk because he seems like a man with

But I pray that he will be good to you…

smiling when she