Chapter Seven
Jax
Standing, I cross to the bookshelf and pull down one of the boxes from the top and set it on the coffee table. She’s on me before I get the lid off.
“Go sit, I get to pick which one we start with.”
With a chuckle I sit in my chair and watch as she fans through almost all the books making three separate stacks. I don’t want to tell her there’s more where those came from.
Finally, she decides on one of the stacks before crawling onto my lap. Does she even realize what she’s done? The implied trust and contentment of her actions hit me right in the heart. I get the feeling from what she’s said that acceptance has been an issue for her. Hell, I’m more than capable of holding her all night. I wish I could.
Opening the first, she glances over her shoulder. “You obviously are into animals. Tell me all about this one. How old were you? What inspired you? And how many of these designs did you actually carve?”
“Actually, the term for that is whittle. Carving is what I did on the coffee table.”
She rolls her eyes, slaps my chest, and grins. “Smarty pants.”
“The first picture is a fox, and I was sixteen. Thank you for not starting with the book when I was age ten. The only way you would have known it was any kind of animal would have been the tail and the word dog at the top. I think we used that one for kindling.”
She laughs. A sweet musical sound that makes me feel all mushy, happy inside. I want to hear that sound every day. By the time we’ve gone through three books she’s starting to doze off. I should have made her nap today, but she seemed to be enjoying herself. I sensed she wanted normal, like nothing happened. I know that feeling well. She’s not over the worst of it yet. The thoughts, the memories will come crashing down any time. Then we re-build.
With the storm raging and no cell service, I won’t leave her alone. If she hadn’t asked to see the chickens, I’d have found a way to convince her to come with me. I know I wasn’t followed. But what if whoever left her didn’t go far and comes back to make sure she died? She doesn’t know how to protect herself.
Holding her across my lap, snuggled against my chest feels good. Right, like this is where she belongs.
Yeah, she feels good. But she’s young enough to be your daughter. Don’t be a perv.
“Come on babe, time for bed.” I stand and carry her to the bathroom.
After she crawls into bed, I turn off the lights and add wood to the fire before stretching out on the couch, sort of. Only my torso is on the cushions. I’m thinking my ranger roll would be more comfortable when she shifts on the bed.
“Get in this bed, Jax. You’re too damn long and big for that small little loveseat. There’s plenty of room. Unless you’re scared I’m going to jump your bones.”
No, but I might jump yours. I rub a hand down my face.
“Please Jax. I’ll feel safer, too.”
The little minx. Already she’s playing me.
Pushing from the mini-couch, I grab my cover. Laying on top of the quilt, I throw the extra blanket over myself. She immediately snuggles her backside against me and sighs.
“That’s better. Now I can sleep.”
She’s out like a light. I lay there wide-awake listening to her breathing and wishing for what can’t be.
Close to dawn she begins to whimper. She’s thrown off the covers and seems trapped in a dream. Or more likely a nightmare.
“Please, let me go. Please. I’m—cold.”
I roll to my side and snuggle her back to my chest, pulling the blankets around us both. “You’re okay, babe. I got you. I’ll keep you warm and safe.”
“Jax?”
“Yeah, babe, it’s me.”
“Don’t leave me. Please don’t leave me.”
“I won’t. I’m right here. I got you.”
“Promise me. I know you won’t break your promise.”
“I’m here, babe. As long as you need me.”
“Say it.”
“I promise.” I’d promise you anything, babe. And die trying to give it to you.
A couple hours later she wakes again. This time she’s subdued but more relaxed. She clasps my hand and pulls it to her chest. “You saved me.”
“Yes, you’re safe here.”
“You saved me twice. From the storm and from my dream.”
I can’t help myself. I lean in and kiss her neck. “I’ll always save you.”
She sighs. “I know.”
“I need to stoke the fire, and I’ll put coffee on. Sleep, stay in bed as long as you want. I’ll check outside and see if my satellite is working.”
“I want to get up. Can I take a shower?”
“Yes. I’ll get you some clean clothes. Give me a minute to hit the bathroom then it’s all yours.”
After getting her set up with clean clothes and a fresh towel. I get the fire cranked up and load the wood stove. I can hear humming from the bathroom.
She amazes me. Her resilience is astounding. She’s strong and capable and she’s not gonna let this win. I saw the shadows in her eyes but she’s not giving in. She’s a fighter.
The sky is still mostly covered with clouds. I check my satellite phone and I’ve got one bar. I shoot a message to Clay just in case it goes through.
Clay: Sketchy connection. Storm. Found a woman in the woods. Someone tried to kill her. Name, Maura. Safe. Don’t trust anyone.
Sighing I put the phone back on the charger. I need to try to get her to remember. Information is the key to her safety.