Page 28 of Special Agent Raven
Noah’s low-spoken, pain-filled words caught her attention. “Never thought I’d be a single dad.” She flinched at the pure emotional truth she heard but had no response. Christ, is anyone ever fully prepared to take on two children alone when their dreams had started out so differently?
Just then, she pulled into Winona’s driveway and called out to Koda to stop going crazy over the stranger with them. Before she shut her car door, she saw Noah flinch as he yanked at the handle, but with his hands so beaten up, he couldn’t seem to get it open.
In seconds, Cane let him out and they waited for Raven and Koda to join them. Of course, they all had to make a fuss over the Retriever before she’d let them pass, and strangely, Raven watched as the dog turned absolutely silly on seeing Cane again. Since the last time the animal had been standoffish, she glanced at Cane questioningly and laughed at his sheepish look. “Shared some bacon with her earlier. Turns out she loves the stuff.”
Laughing, she opened the front door, smelled the cookies baking the minute they walked in, and automatically led the way to the kitchen. There they saw a wonderfully homey sight that made her stomach flip with good feelings surging throughout her body.
Both kids were covered in flour and laughing at seeing Winona’s cookie decorated with a puppylike face that resembled Koda. Sensing company, the old woman turned to see Raven, and her face broke into a smile. But before anyone could talk, Noah broke past her and rushed to the side of the counter where both kids were on chairs.
“Ami. Josh. My babies.” He had them up in his arms so fast, all they had time for was to yell, “Daddy!”
Standing with her back to Cane, she felt his body’s reactive shuddering at the sight of such excitement and mutual love. It was almost as if he could understand just how much this moment meant to a man who believed his family dead. She heard the drawn in sigh that seemed to come from the deepest part of his soul and knew there was an untold story about Cane’s past.
She’d always sensed he’d suffered some kind of a huge trauma but would never pry. That wasn’t her way. If he wanted her to know, he would share. In the meantime, she had to be patient. But it was damn hard when everything inside her wanted to take him in her arms and soothe away his nightmares.
Christ, now where did that come from?Over the years, opportunities were abundant for her to form a relationship with another. Many others – her friends including her associates – swore she was just too damn picky. She needed to lower her standards and settle for one of the many men who wanted more than a casual fling or hookup.
Problem was, none of them touched that place in her heart that she’d locked in protective custody. That small tucked away corner – where the word “forever” took precedence – stayed hidden, waiting for the right person to show up and break inside.
As if he sensed Raven’s quandary, Cane moved closer and slid his hand into hers, tugging for attention. “Whatever the difficulties to save those two… it was worth it, right?”
She leaned her body back against his and tightened her grip on his fingers. “Absolutely.”
Winona moved across the room to join them, and Cane lifted his arm for her to close into their circle. “How wonderful! Did you two know their dad was alive?”
“Nope.” Cane replied, “Last I saw of the man, he’d jumped in to save his wife, and then the house hid them from view. Thank God, both the children were still clinging to the window frame that hadn’t been ripped off.”
“Josh told me what happened last night. He had difficulty sleeping, woke up screaming more than once, and so did Ami. Koda and I finally stayed in my bed with them until they fell asleep and that seemed to help. Poor babies were heartbroken about their folks and terrified of their future. Especially Josh who’s beginning to understand responsibilities… sad little man.”
“I’d have taken them just to keep them together. I told Josh he didn’t have to worry about their future.” Cane’s words made both women look up at him.
“He said as much but then wondered if you meant it or if he hadn’t understood properly. The boy was confused and terrifiedof what was coming. Now, he can be a kid again and let his daddy deal with the adult stuff.”
Both Raven and Cane’s agreement came at the same time, making them all grin. Winona’s hand slipped around Raven’s arm, and she turned to face Cane. “How about we leave them be for a while and get you two settled.”
“Settled? What are you talking about?” Raven flinched when she recognized the contrary note in her voice.
Winona pulled back and pointed first at Raven and then at Cane. “You’re both exhausted. If your eyes were any more bloodshot, I’d worry about your bar tab. Seriously, my little dove, the best place for you both right now is to lay down for a snooze. I’ve found some clothes that will work for Cane and left them on your bed. Now, go!”
Raven knew better than to argue when her Nana used that tone. She led Cane to her room and pointed out the bathroom where he could have a hot shower. Then she scooped up the jeans and well-washed sweater her nana had left and gave them to him. “You go first. I don’t mind. I want to clear a few emails and plug in my phone. I’ll check in with Dwayne to see if his son arrived to stay with him.”
In a short time, Cane returned looking surprisingly better, his strong body stood straighter, and his face appeared more peaceful. If his bloodshot eyes didn’t reveal the pain inside, she would have thought the man hadn’t a problem in the world.
“You, okay?” The words broke from Raven before she knew they would.
Surprised by her concern, Cane sent her a real smile for the first time and the power of his personality caught her smack dab in the tummy, turning her knees to mush.
“I am now.” He drew his fingers through his short, dark hair to the back of his neck holding the pose, the stretch showing off his powerful body. “I figure the day turned out surprisingly betterthan one could hope for. We have Dale contained and Noah’s alive… things are looking up.”
“You’re right. Our world isn’t so awful. We’ll help the townsfolk get through this crisis as best we can and pray it never happens again.”
“Yeah… don’t hold your breath. For the last few years, I’ve been following the weather anomalies all over the world. It’s a pet project of mine. And things aren’t looking positive for future climate conditions. It’s pissing off the young people, and I can’t say I blame them.”
“Me neither. And don’t get Nana started on the topic. She’s involved in a huge online presence about the climate conditions.” She sighed. “Right… a subject for another time. I’m going to have a long, hot shower. Make yourself at home.”
Keeping a promise she’d made to herself; she took full advantage of their continuous hot water system by letting the steamy stream cleanse every nook and cranny on her aching body. Soaping twice and double shampooing her thick, long hair kept her involved longer than normal but after today, it felt like she deserved the treat.
The safety of her solitude also worked to help loosen the tight barriers she’d placed on her emotions. Remembering the devastation she’d witnessed earlier and the pain and fear she’d seen on her neighbors faces brought uncontrollable tears she could finally release. Unable to stop the flow, she let it happen, smothering the weeping sounds that followed.