No More Waiting, She Chooses Love

Chapter 167



Herschel froze in his tracks so suddenly I thought he might stumble.

I quickly reached out to steady him. "Herschel..."

He turned to me, a shadow crossing his face. "Felicia, why would you ask something like that out of the blue?"

I wanted to mention what Ernest had told me but couldn't bring myself to share it with Herschel. I brushed it off, "Just a random question, that's all." The usual warmth had drained from Herschel's face, leaving him solemn and, quite frankly, a bit intimidating.

"Felicia, your parents' accident was just that—an accident. I was there, I saw it all. There are police reports and everything to prove it," Herschel said heavily.

I hadn't been to the scene of the accident. Herschel had spared me from it, not wanting me to see something so grim. But that choice had left me with a lifetime of unanswered questions.

"If you're having doubts, or you don't believe me, you can check the records for yourself," Herschel's complexion turned ashen, the joviality gone from his voice.

I knew how close he had been to my father, almost like brothers. Bringing up my parents' death must have reminded him of the tragedy, causing him pain.

linked my arm through his. "No need, I believe you.

my eyes, searching for something. For a moment, I thought he might say more,

"Felicia, why don't you go on ahead?

but

really. Go on," Herschel gestured for me to

lost in thought. Something about Herschel's reaction didn't sit right

a while to

al

I found Jacqueline chatting with Ernest. I had worried they might not get. alongor that Jacqueline might give Ernest a hard time, but hearing her laughter

must have said something amusing to have even Jacqueline, who was initially wary

I descended

up to me and call me 'mom.' I used to say how wonderful it would be if she were my own. Her mom the joked about arranging a marriage with my Rad or young Dustin. Given Dustin was a bit older, we settled

first time I'd heard why

it, Felicia immediately said she'd marry young Conrad without

her laugh; it was her own stories, likely aimed at provoking

to carry her on

comment sounded as if he knew me from