Rejected Mate's Redemption (Freda and James) novel Chapter 82

Chapter 82
FREIDA WHITLOCK
My heart thumped in my chest as I thought of what to say to him that would cease his worries. I had a feeling this had something to do with them being put in the cell. While werewolves were stern about entry into their packs and borders, humans could travel to any place in the world as long as they had the appropriate IDs and what just happened must’ve left them reeling with numerous thoughts.
I smiled quickly to cover up my worry, “Don’t bother about that, Cole. Just relax and have your drink, alright?” This was a weak response but to my surprise, he just nodded and sipped the drink.
I breathed out in relief but then tensed again wondering if he had noticed my worried demeanor and decided to let the notion. slide.
‘Maybe, Freda, maybe, he trusts you that much to adhere’ I hope. so. I set the tray down and sat down next to him on the couch, leaving a reasonable distance between us.
“This is amazing, better than the one we have back home. I would move here for the sake of this delicious orange juice” He humored me after a few sips of his juice and I chuckled, now feeling completely at ease.
“He’s not lying,” Gina agreed with Cole and I could only smile in appreciation.
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“Um Freda, what about Mr. Whitlock, is he home?” Elle asked and I shook my head. She and Gina were now looking at me with worry. They knew about Dad’s health condition since I had told them before leaving.
It gladdened my heart to know that they still had it in mind.
“He’s at the hospital since the doctors recommended he stayed. closer to the facilities in case of any emergencies” I tried to sound as crisp as possible but the tremble toward the end of my statement failed me.
I flinched a bit when I felt Cole’s cold hand against mine. He squeezed it softly before letting go. I smiled at him.
“So sorry about that Freda” Elle said, she seemed to be beating herself up for asking.
“No, no, it’s okay. Thanks for asking. It means a lot to me” I said and she smiled, nodding.
“Can we go see him?” Gina suddenly asked and I was quick to shake my head. They were here after a very long time on the road, going out again was just going to leave them more exhausted.
“I don’t think that’s a good idea. You guys need to cool off at least”
“We’re energetic enough for another ride. It could be like a tour of the city on our way. I speak for us when I say we don’t mind” Cole clipped and the girls nodded eagerly, giving me big round
eyes.
I was hesitant about taking them to see Dad. Of course, I
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wanted Dad to meet my very loving friends but….
“C’mon Freeds,” Cole’s voice broke into my thought and I sighed, “Okay, but I’ll drive, you guys just relax
“Sure ma’am Gina and Elle teased, reminding me of those days we worked at the coffee shop together. It was an issue to get them to drop the formalities with me.
The memory brought a small smile to my face. I shook my head at them and cleared the empty glasses, washed them as well before we headed out to my car.
On our way, despite my refusal, they had me stop by a fruit store so they could get some for Dad. And they got too much. The rest of the drive continued with me scolding them for getting too much but they would just brush me off.
We finally got to the hospital and headed to Dad’s ward with the washed fruits Upon reaching there. Dad who was fast asleep stirred awake at the sound of the door being opened. Even in his current condition, his sharp sense of hearing hadn’t diminished.
“Freda?” He called, squinting his eyes to look at us. I smiled as I walked toward his bed, “Dad, did we disturb you?”
He shook his head, trying to sit up and I hurried to set the bed to his preference before sitting by his side. His eyes traveled from me to the persons who were still standing by the door and his brows furrowed.
“Oh, Dad, meet my fgends, Gina and Elle. We worked together at the coffee store” I introduced gesturing to them as they stepped forward. He nodded knowingly I had told him about the coffee
store and the workers there so I guessed he recalled.
“Hello, Mr. Whitlock” Elle bent slightly in a respectful manner while Gina waved cheerily.
Cole cleared his throat as he stood beside the girls and I gasped, “And this is Cole…”
“A very good friend of Freda’s. It’s nice to meet to sir” It’s great he cut me off because I didn’t know what to introduce him as. I mean from our little interaction we could be called friends but was what Cole wanted us to be?
“I’m overwhelmed, it’s nice to finally meet the nice people who cared for my daughter while she was away from me,” Dad said with emotions in his voice and I smiled.
They finally took a seat on the couch available in the ward and within minutes, they clicked. We had conversations while having the fruits. Cole cracked lots of jokes that had us laughing our lungs out. He made Dad laugh so much that I began to feel jealous of his sense of humor. Dad laughed around me but that much within a few minutes? Damn!
This man had a natural gift.
I had noticed Dad staring at me at intervals and I believed he had questions as to who Cole was. I was glad he didn’t ask any via mind link or even aloud.
An hour passed in a jiffy. We only took notice of the time when the doctor came around and asked for Dad to rest. So we got ready to leave and bade Dad our goodbyes. Dad had asked Cole to come visit again if he could. Dad was smitten with the man alright.
left the hospital, surprisingly with just a few fruits left over from our little picnic with Dad. I guess they knew exactly what they were up to, especially Cole.
“I didn’t expect it would be so much fun with you guys around. Thank you so much for that moment with my Dad’ I said to them as I drove us back to the apartment.
“I mean your Dad is f**g intelligent. I wouldn’t mind spending the whole day with him, Freda, Gina chipped, ever so cheerful. “And funny too, you’re so lucky’ Elle added and my cheeks pinked.
I know, my Dad is the best.
I cast Cole a glance, he was seated in the front seat. He caught my gaze and nodded with a smile making me smile back
“I haven’t seen Francisco since we got here though,” He said and I nodded, recalling Cisco and Lyra had been out earlier.
“He’s okay. He just went out with my friend. You’d meet him soon”
I had a feeling Lyra and Cisco were back when I pulled over in the driveway and my thoughts were confirmed when Cisco came running to us the moment we stepped into the house.
“Oh my G**d. Fransisco!”
“Is it just me or has this little cutie grown bigger!”
“Champ!”
The three gasped upon seeing him and I couldn’t help the feeling of pride that spread within me. After hugging me, he
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Chapter 82 MON
rushed into Gina’s arms, giggling.
My eyes moved from them to find Lyra only to see her
seemingly frozen in a spot with her eyes fixated on us. I waved but she didn’t budge, she didn’t even bat a lid as she stared at someone behind me and when I looked back, it was Cole who was now with Cisco in his arms.
I returned my gaze to her, my eyes squinted as I wondered what was going on in her mind.