Page 36 of Laura's Safe Haven
“Let’s go for a little walk.”
She stopped in the middle of the sidewalk. “What about the statements? And your head? It has to be hurting. I agreed to visit the bank because it wouldn’t be too strenuous. The plan was to return to the office—where I’d make you sit and relax as much as possible—then talk you into going back home.”
He shrugged. “My head’s fine, and the statements can wait. A little fresh air sounds nice.”
She studied his face. If he was in any pain, he hid it well. She wanted to argue and insist they go to the office right away, but he was right. Fresh air did sound nice. A good way to clear her mind from all the crap her dad always managed to jam in there. “Will you tell me if you’re hurting at all?”
He grinned. “You bet.”
They walked hand in hand through town. She felt the gaze of everyone they passed land on them, but she kept her head high and pretended it didn’t matter. Let them look. Let them be jealous of the man who stood beside her and oozed protection and kindness.
A subtle breeze floated down the street, cooling the warm rays of sun and blowing the bottom of her skirt as she walked. She’d rolled her eyes when she’d unpacked her bag and found the red and white summer dress Jude had packed. Thank God it still fit, flowing gently over her growing bump. She’d swept up half her hair and secured it with a clip. The strands left long down her back tickled her neck. Birds flew overhead and talked to each other in joyful chirps and caws.
She sighed.
“What’s wrong?” Cade asked, darting his gaze around the town square as if afraid she’d spotted danger.
She flicked her wrist toward the blue sky. “The birds.”
“You don’t like them?”
His teasing tone made her smile.
“I’ve always felt like a bird trapped in a cage. Struggling to break free and fly away. First at home with my dad, then with Isaac. I finally walked away from both of them, and I still feel trapped. Still feel like I can’t quite fly away from the men holding me hostage.”
Cade tugged on her hand and led her to a bench situated on the grassy square. A gazebo sat in the middle of the recently mowed space. He waited for her to sit before settling beside her. He hooked an arm along the back of the bench, shifting to face her. “Is that what you want? To fly away from here?”
She smiled at the worry in his green eyes and rested a palm on his cheek. He still hadn’t shaved, and the whiskers scratched her skin.
Much like they had when she’d kissed him. When his stubble had rubbed against her jaw. Confusion stole her words. She’d flown from her father’s cage right into Isaac’s. Was she merely hopping into Cade’s world because she was afraid to be alone? Was her father right, and she couldn’t do this by herself, so she’d latched onto the one man who’d shown her thoughtfulness? Had she sought the comfort of yet another man who’d lock her in a cage?
No, Cade would never lock her away and stifle her. Never demand her obedience or try to control her.
Cade would never, ever hurt her.
“I want to be free of the men always trying to hold me back. I don’t know if that’s ever going to happen. Not with the baby coming. Isaac won’t back down, and it looks like my father chose a side.” A humorless laugh shot from her mouth. “I’m not surprised he didn’t choose my side, and I hate to admit this, but it hurts. Hurts to know that after everything Isaac did to me, my father would still support him. That he’d still champion him. It doesn’t make sense.”
The tears she’d held back in the bank finally flowed down her cheeks.
Cade brushed them away. “Crazy doesn’t often make sense.”
She laughed. “You’re saying my father’s crazy?”
“I’m saying your father’s an asshole. I saw how he treated you guys. All of you. Matthew doesn’t talk about it much, but I was around. I noticed the thinly veiled threats and the punishments that never fit the crime. Hell, the punishments he doled out for no better reason than to keep you all in line. He’s not right, and any father who’d choose a man like Isaac over his daughter is a father who deserves a swift kick in the balls.”
“What about this little one’s father?” She lifted her hand from his face and placed it on her abdomen. “If my dad was bad, Isaac will be ten times worse. How do I protect him or her?”
“I meant what I said before. You won’t be doing any of this alone.” He rested his hand on top of hers and stared at her stomach with such tenderness—such love—she almost melted on the spot. “I’m here for both of you. Whatever you need.”
She swallowed hard, wanting so bad to believe him.
Memories of their kiss assaulted her as she savored the feeling of his simple touch. She wanted nothing more than to lean forward and do it again. But not here in the middle of town with every eye that passed aimed their way. “Thank you,” was all she could manage to say, emotions getting the best of her.
“Anytime. You ready to head back to the office? The sooner we get through these, the sooner we can find what we’re looking for.” He waved the envelopes as if she’d forgotten the reason they’d stopped in town to begin with.
And to be honest, for a few moments, she had.
Raising to her feet she nodded, took his extended hand, and walked beside him.