Page 57 of Sheltering You

Derrick returned to his side of the bar. “I guess my friend”—he mouthed Michael—“had the people who drove us here last night pick up some groceries, enough for a couple of days.”

“And he knew about the biscuit donuts you like to make?”

“Nah. I just found the cans in the fridge. Figured nobody would mind if I cooked them up.” He grabbed a sponge and started wiping the counter.

“Do we have a plan?” she asked. “What happens now?”

He stopped, gaze flicking to Rabie, who was devouring another sugary donut, his fingers and mouth covered with white.

“There’s a secure VPN here that you’ll need to connect to.”

“I don’t know what this is, VPN?”

“Uh… Virtual private network?” He said the words as if he wasn’t sure either. “The point is, it’ll hide where we are, even if someone’s monitoring, so it’s safe. As soon as you finish breakfast, we’ll connect and see if you’ve gotten an email.”

From Basma, but he didn’t say so.

“As soon as we get that,” Derrick continued, “I’ll reach out to my guy, and we’ll make a plan. Okay?”

She nodded, and he started cleaning again.

“Let me do that.” She slid off the stool. “You cooked. It is only fair.”

“I don’t mind.”

“I would like to help. You have done enough.”

“Fine.” He tossed the sponge in the sink. “I’ll get changed.” He crossed the room and disappeared into the hallway that led to the bedrooms.

For Rabie’s sake, Derrick had been kind and conversed with her, but their easy friendship was gone. If Rabie weren’t here, what would their relationship be?

She had ruined it.

Maybe she wouldn’t be able to fix it. Maybe it was too late. She must tell him the truth, all of it. He might not forgive her for keeping the secret, but at least he would understand.

CHAPTER TWELVE

After a shower and some time in prayer, Derrick emerged from the bedroom. He’d started the fire as soon as he’d awakened, thinking he’d sit by it and read his Bible. That plan had been thwarted by Rabie’s early wake-up. At least he and the kid had developed a rapport.

It was Jasmine’s appearance that’d rattled him. She’d pulled her hair up into a ponytail that made her look years younger, and her cheeks had been pink, as if she’d just scrubbed them. She’d been beautiful and so…guarded after their conversation the night before. Everything was different now. There’d be no going back.

He’d needed some time to think and regroup and pray.

She and Rabie were sitting on the area rug at the coffee table, engaged in a game of Connect 4.

Derrick paused in the hallway, not wanting to interrupt.

And fine. Maybe he liked watching her when she wasn’t on her guard. Maybe he liked seeing her interact with the child with such kindness and patience. She’d make a wonderful mother someday.

Not to his kid, though. She’d need to find some pathetic man-servant she felt was as lowly as she was. Derrick half-hoped her father would show his face in Maine. What Derrick wouldn’t give to teach the guy how it felt to be treated like he didn’t matter. Like he was barely a shadow.

A wave of fury rolled over him.

God would need to deal with Jasmine’s father. And teach her who she was.

Derrick had trusted God all his life. He could trust Him with his feelings—and with the woman he loved. He would try to, anyway.

Jasmine was on her knees, studying the yellow vertical game board, her long ponytail draped over one shoulder. She dropped a red game piece into place and sat back. “Your turn.”