Page 206 of Show Me

He mutters something I’m probably better off not hearing. “You’re staying here.”

Relief hits hard enough to burn my eyes. “Thank you.”

Not that I expected him to turn me away, but after everything I’ve gone through, my emotions area all over the place.

Bella hugs me before leaving, and Dad watches until her car disappears down the gravel road before ushering me inside.

The house smells like coffee and wood smoke. It smells like home.

“Sit.”

For once, I don’t argue.

He puts water in front of me and takes the chair across from mine. His attention keeps drifting back to the bruise and stitches. “Now tell me what you didn’t tell your friend to tell me.”

I give him the rest. The note telling me to stay away from Xavier. Brent. Greg. The police know about both of them but don't have enough proof to do anything.

Dad rubs a hand over his face. “I should’ve made you come out here sooner.”

“You couldn’t make me do anything.”

“No. You’ve been stubborn since birth.”

Despite everything, my mouth twitches.

He points at me. “There. That face. Same one you made at fifteen when you hid a sprained ankle because you didn’t want anyone fussing.”

The laugh almost comes. The tears get there first.

Dad’s expression changes instantly. “Oh, sweetheart.”

He crouches beside me and pulls me against his chest, careful of my head.

“I’m scared,” I whisper.

“I know.” His hand moves slowly over my hair as the scent of peppermint eases my nausea. “You’re safe here.”

I want to believe that badly enough that I cry harder.

When it finally passes, Dad heats leftover stew and makes tea without asking anything else. The ordinary sounds of him moving through the kitchen settle me more than anything anyone has said today.

He sits across from me once I’ve eaten a few bites. His eyes narrow.

“What?”

“There’s something else.”

Of course he knows. I set down my spoon. “I’m pregnant.”

Dad goes completely still. “You’re pregnant?”

“Yes.”

For a moment, he just looks at me. Then his gaze drops briefly toward my stomach before coming back to my face.

“I’m scared,” I admit.

His expression softens. “Because of your mom.”