He hadn’t lied about feeling her pain. If he could have taken it for her, he gladly would have. Seeing how slowly she still had to move, how shallowly she breathed, and the bruises... She’d healed a lot, proven by how she’d gotten around yesterday, yet parts of the left side of her body remained badly bruised. It amazed him that only two ribs had fractured.
“Hey, sweetheart,” he whispered to PB, stroking a hand down her back and then rubbing her velvet-soft ears. “Need to take a leak, huh? Me, too.” Trying not to disturb Glory, who slept on, he set the dog on the floor and then got to his feet.
Glory looked boneless, slumped as she was against the corner of the couch, carefully propped in place with soft pillows so she wouldn’t unnecessarily jar her ribs or shoulder. Her tangled fair hair half concealed her face, but he could see her pink lips, slightly parted, and the fading bruise that remained on her left cheek. One lax hand rested over her lap. As if reaching for him, her right hand was on the couch beside her.
They’d both slept more soundly for a change. Only once had he been awakened by her movements, but even then, she hadn’t fully stirred, merely shifted a tiny bit. He hoped that meant she was indeed healing, her pain lessening a little each day.
The love he felt for her was enough to level him. And now there was a baby, a tiny son or daughter, binding them together. Glory had been carrying that weight on her own. Itwas his fault that she hadn’t immediately trusted him enough to share with him. He’d fix that somehow.
She was it for him, the one woman he wanted to love for the rest of his life.
Yet, somewhere out there, Mike was plotting something. It was enough to make his muscles clench.
Knowing he couldn’t keep PB waiting, he snagged his phone off the end table and gave a pat to his thigh. PB fell into step with him. He detoured to the bathroom, saying, “Sorry, girl, but me first.” Next, he stepped into the extra bedroom and pulled on flannel pants but nothing else. He didn’t want to push his luck with the dog, but he also didn’t want to face Mrs. Simmons in his boxers.
So far, PB had been terrific about going outside, but no reason to take chances, so he was ready in under a minute. After hooking the leash to the dog’s collar, he led her out the back door. The dew-wet grass, in need of a cut, smelled fresh. Even this early, the September air felt muggy. It’d be another scorcher for sure. When he glanced up, he thought it might also be stormy. He imagined Glory sweating and grinned. She’d probably hate it, but to care for the dog, she’d face the heat.
That reminded him, he needed to speak with her about using extra care. Maybe it was the need to hold on to his happiness, but he had a bad feeling that things with Mike were spiraling out of control. With that thought in mind, he checked the time on his phone, then called his brother.
Tanner answered with, “Everything okay?”
“Yup. Just taking PB out and figured I’d check in.”
“Got it. I don’t know if you saw the weather report, but we’ll have storms all day, so I’m buttoning things up around here.”
“Need any help?”
“Nope. But you’ll be pleased to know that Kirby is coming by again. After talking with him a while, I’ve decided to hire him myself.”
A slow grin snuck up on Kam. “No kidding? How’d that come about?”
“I needed someone, and he needs the help—not just financial, but someone who’s involved.”
No one better than Tanner. “You need help with the tree farm? Why didn’t you say something?”
“You’ve got your hands full with your own job and helping Glory. Besides, I like the idea of spending more time with Kirby. Kid is super skittish and I get why. His mother’s boyfriend has no business being around kids.”
Familiar dread settled in Kam’s stomach. “How bad is he?”
“Mostly verbal abuse with the girl, but he’s laid hands on Kirby a few times. We both know how that goes.”
Yeah, unfortunately, he did. “It accelerates, starts happening more often, and each time gets worse.”
Lower, Tanner growled, “I’d love to teach that man a valuable lesson.”
“Me first.” Why the hell did some adults have to be such fucking assholes? It wasn’t hard to be good to a kid. In fact, for most, it was a natural instinct.
But there were still too many cruel people in the world, those who preyed on anyone smaller or weaker because it made them feel superior—or just because they enjoyed it.
Tanner blew out a breath. “The only upside is that he has a stepdad who’s been trying to help out. Kirby loved the stepdad. He’d been around a long time, until the mom found a new boyfriend, then the stepdad was booted out.”
“Divorced?”
“Would you stay in that situation?”
“No.” Trust was a valuable commodity, ranking high on his list. “You think the stepdad might be the answer?”
“I spoke with him last night. He loves both kids. Never had any of his own and said he considers them his.”
