“Yes, you did.”I can’t resist reaching up to tuck a lock of hair behind her ear.Now her appearance makes sense.She’s been walking for four days.She couldn’t have gone very fast in her state, wearing worn-out shoes and this hideous, heavy skirt.
“I was so scared when I got to the house.I thought Dad would pack me up in his truck and drive me right back to Presley, but I didn’t know what else to do.I had to try to escape, and I hoped by some miracle Dad would take pity on me and not send me back.”
I’m worried about why she fled.Aside from the obvious.I suspect something happened to make her run away.It probably had to do with the baby, especially since we now know it’s not Vanguard’s child.
I still have a million questions, but Hannah is exhausted.She needs to sleep for days.“Why don’t you rest for a while?I promise Rebekah can come over any time you want.”
She takes a deep breath.“That would be nice.I’m so tired.Thank you.”
Three
Hannah
I walk with my sister to the front door and hug her, half of me hating that she’s going to leave.She’s the only person in the world I really know.I want to ask if I can stay with her at Adam’s house, but I don’t dare.I need to be gracious.
Also, I realize she just got married a few months ago.I shouldn’t impose on her time with her new husband.They look so happy.He stares at her as though she hangs the moon.
I’d give anything for someone to look at me like that.But it’s not in the cards.Even though all three of them acted like God would not judge me for my immoral behavior, I don’t believe them.
I’m ruined.Soiled.Damaged.I’ve sinned.I deserve to be punished.I would have stayed with Presley as penance for the rest of my life if he hadn’t threatened the baby.
That was what finally got to me.No matter how many times he has told me I’m nothing but damaged goods that nobody could ever want, I refuse to believe God will punish my baby.
Aaric sets his hands on my shoulders, yanking me out of my thoughts and making me flinch.It feels so good when he touches me.I haven’t been held in two years.I can’t even say I was touched on the night my baby was conceived.
Aaric guides me back a few inches and shuts the door.“How about a bath?I bet you’d feel ten times better after one.Then you can sleep as long as you want.”
I lean into him, letting him take my weight, my back against his front.I could stay like this forever.I don’t even mind standing on my tired legs with Aaric behind me.
Shaking those silly thoughts from my head, I nod.“That would be so nice.”
He turns me around, takes my hand, and leads me through his house.I notice there are three bedrooms.One looks like an office.It’s filled with electronics I barely recognize.I think a computer, or maybe even more than one.
One of the rooms is completely empty.The last one coming off the hallway is his bedroom.There’s a giant bed, bigger than any I’ve ever seen.It looks so comfortable.I bet the mattress is soft.I’ve never slept a day in my life on anything that inviting.The comforter is navy, and it looks new.If he just built this cabin, I guess everything in it is new.He didn’t get this furniture at a secondhand store or a flea market.That’s for sure.
Aaric tugs on my arm.He chuckles.“I know you’re tired.Would you rather sleep first?”
I jerk my attention from the bed to him.“No.I’ll get the sheets all dirty.Or…” I glance back at the hallway.This is the only bed I saw in the house.“…the couch.I’ve already touched it enough.You’ll probably have to disinfect it.”
He chuckles.“Sunshine, I’m not worried about a little dirt, but you’re not sleeping on the couch.You’ll sleep in my bed.I promise to close the door and stay nice and quiet, so you won’t be disturbed.”
“I can’t take your bed,” I say as he drags me past the inviting bed and through another door.I’m instantly distracted from that thought because, holy cow.This is the most luxurious bathroom I’ve ever seen.
It’s huge.There’s a giant tub that’s separate from the shower.There are two sinks and a long vanity.A rack has stacks of the fluffiest towels I’ve ever seen.They’re white.How do they stay that way?
“I’m sure you’d prefer a bath to a shower right now.Your legs must be so tired, considering how far you walked.”
It was a long way.I didn’t have any other options.And the entire time, I didn’t know what I would find when I arrived at my father’s house this morning.I left the last few miles for today, instead of showing up late last night.
I certainly didn’t anticipate discovering a note telling me to come to the Gallant homestead.Nor could I have predicted everything that has happened since I arrived here.I’ve eaten, had plenty to drink, reunited with my sister, and now I’m about to have the most luxurious bath of my life.
“I don’t have any girly soaps or shampoo or anything.We’ll get some from town.I’ll see if any of my brothers are planning to go to the city this afternoon or tomorrow.They can pick up some supplies.I’ll make a list.Let me know if you think of anything we need to add to it.”
He’s talking so fast, it’s hard to follow him.And I’m so stunned by his words.“I don’t want to be a bother.Please don’t go to any trouble.”
He turns on the faucet and puts the stopper in the bottom of the tub before coming to me.He touches my chin.“You’re not a bother or any trouble, Hannah.I’m so glad you’re here.Whatever you’ve been through, it’s over.You’re home now.”
Home?
