Total pages in book: 41
Estimated words: 38800 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 194(@200wpm)___ 155(@250wpm)___ 129(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 38800 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 194(@200wpm)___ 155(@250wpm)___ 129(@300wpm)
“I haven’t been here in years,” Grover murmured. “Still looks like the last day I saw it.” He took in a shuddering breath. “I paid someone to keep the place up because I just couldn’t. Funny. Until this moment, I hadn’t realized I haven’t gotten a bill from the guy I hired. I… tried to push the place out of my mind. Too damned many memories.”
“I made sure your guy kept the place up.” Knox turned off the engine. “Kept the yard mowed and made sure the place wasn’t looted or had squatters living there, but the inside is pretty bare.” About that time, a moving van pulled up along with another big F-150 like Knox’s, only this one was white where Knox’s was black. “Which we’re fixing to remedy now.”
He opened the door and everyone else followed. I fumbled with my seat belt, finally getting it undone when Knox opened my door.
“Out you get, little one.”
When he pulled me into his arms to carry me, I tried to protest. “I’m OK to walk.” It was more a reflex than something I truly thought I was capable of doing. I was used to shrugging off my weaknesses and simply powering through.
“Yeah? Maybe I’m not ready to let you walk.” Knox cradled me against him. God, it felt good! This man, someone I didn’t know, made me feel safe and more cared for than Danny had the entire thirteen years we’d been together. Tears were very, very close. Though not for the reasons I expected. They were more for the tenderness being shown to me by everyone involved than Danny’s betrayal. Which told me everything I needed to know about my relationship with Danny.
“Don’t do this.” I whispered my plea, half hoping he hadn’t heard me. The other half knew letting him care for me was a really bad idea.
“Don’t do what?” Knox carried me inside the house like I weighed nothing. It was like something out of a fairy tale. Except that his face was an emotionless mask and he didn’t look at me.
“Take care of me. I’ll get used to it and…”
He just grunted and carried me to the bathroom. “Your room and the kids’ both attach to this bathroom.” He pointed out two doors on either side. “Go ahead and get in the shower. I’ll bring you a change of clothes and some towels.”
“I don’t have any clothes.” I whispered. “The fire…”
“I’ve got that taken care of. If you can give me a couple minutes, I’ll bring in your toiletries. Then you can get the soot and smoke off you. By that time, I should have a bed set up for you and you can lie down.”
“But the children --”
“-- are doing the same thing.” Knox set me on the vanity before gripping my shoulders in a firm but gentle grip. “I’ll look after the kids and my dad. Though, I think Luke has both of them under control. He’s a very protective kid.”
“He’s always been like that, but the last month? Yeah. When he said he’d seen Danny with that woman a month ago, I realized that’s when he started to really assume the role of man of the house.”
“Yeah. I get that.” He sighed, looking away. “Look. You’re safe. I’ll take care of everything.”
“I don’t know you.” I had no idea why I was protesting when I really needed someone to take over, even if it was just for a few hours so I could process. Honestly, though, I wasn’t sure much was going to change. Other than Danny would no longer make his occasional appearance.
“No. But I helped get you out of a burning building. Give me the benefit of the doubt. I’m not gonna hurt you, Evelyn.” He sounded so sincere I wanted to believe him. I was so confused right now! All I wanted to do was huddle in the corner with my children and lick my wounds for a few hours.
“There are other ways of hurting someone than just physically,” I whispered.
“I know. Ain’t gonna do that either.” He held my gaze for long moments. Then he gave me a crisp nod and helped me off the counter to my feet. “I’ll be right back. You can clean up, and I’ll get us all some supper.” I’d been in the middle of fixing lunch when the fire alarm had started blaring. I suppose it was time for supper.
There was nothing else to say or do. I just nodded, knowing he was right. Besides, I’d be more able to process and think once I was clean, full, and rested. I would figure out what to do from here on. Right now, I wanted to shut down. Let someone else take control. After that, I’d start evaluating the pieces of my life and how to proceed.