I rounded the front of the truck, thinking about how to make her comfortable, both with the aches she still felt but also with the memories the house would now bring. When I looked at her door, I saw her looking at me with a smile on her face, waiting like she always had.
Gosh, this girl will forever be my undoing.I opened the truck door and rested my hand on her knee, “How do you want to do this? Want me to carry you? Support you as you walk? Let you do it?” I looked up as she giggled.
“Ranger...” She reached out and touched my cheek. “I'm okay. I'm safe. I'm...”
“Sore and going to let me take care of you.” I attempted to sound stern, but I couldn't. Not with her.
She giggled again.
I reached up and lifted her up out of the truck, then set her on the ground, waiting to remove my hands only after I saw she was steady.
I reached in and grabbed the bag that Jenny and Santana had packed for her once the police had cleared from the house. Throwing it over my shoulder, I looked at her for a long moment. I knew the doctor said she was cleared after her concussion, and there were no broken bones; she was just sore. However, that didn't mean I wasn't going to take care of my girl—for the rest of our lives. “Don't hate me.”
She opened her mouth, probably to ask what I meant, but before she could say anything, I scooped her up in my arms and began walking to the front door. Giggles erupted from her body.
I walked with her in my arms up the steps at the front of the house, her arms wrapped around my neck. If anything hurt her, she hadn’t said a word, and smiled through the pain.
When we got to the door she stilled “Caleb...”Her breathing stuttered and her body became tense.
“I know, Sunshine. Just remember, he's gone and can't hurt you anymore. Plus, I'm right here and we'll take it one step at a time.” I kept my voice soft, soothing, trying to calm her nerves. “Oh, and Duke is waiting inside for you.”
Rae's mouth drew into a tight smile, and she nodded. “I am excited to see Duke. Thank you for being there for me, too. I couldn't do this without you.” She gave me a light kiss, and it felt like fireworks going off in my body. I could tell her nerves were still present but could also feel her relax as I returned her kiss.
“Let's get you inside before we do unspeakable things to each other on this porch,” I groaned as I kissed her.
Rae laughed immediately with her head thrown back.
I carried her inside the house, grateful that the danger was over and she was finally home where she belonged.
Chapter 59
Rae
The air inside thehouse was warm, but I had light goosebumps prickling my skin. After a super happy greeting from Duke, Caleb could see me start to focus on the memories that being back here brought. The last time I’d seen Duke, I didn’t know if Ethan had hurt him or not. I only knew he said he was safe, but I didn’t know if I could believe him. The last time I stood in this area of the house, I was hoping to spend a quiet, intimate evening with Caleb. There were no traces of glass or wine on the ground thanks to Santana, Luke, and Jenny.
Caleb stood by me, his hand placed gently but firmly on the small of my back, grounding me, proving to me that he would be with me through every step we would take. My breathing was slow and even as I looked around the front of the house. I couldn’t explain it, but I didn’t feel frightened. I looked at Caleb. “It's not as scary being back here as I thought it would be. Sure, I'm aware of what happened, but knowing I'm safe again, that I survived it, too, it helps.”
