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“You’re always giving me a shoulder to lean on. You don’t have to be the strong one. I’m here for you, too.”
Liam kissed the top of her head. “I have a feeling we may need each other before this day is over.”
She nodded, and Liam knew she was wondering how either of them would survive without Macen.
His parents climbed into the backseat, and Liam zipped away from the house. The gloom in the vehicle matched the mood of the overcast day. He drove north with a destination in mind. After all, they had a few hours to kill.
When he pulled up to the pier, he grabbed Raine’s hand. “Let’s get some breakfast.”
“Aye,” Da seconded his suggestion. “I’m starving.”
His mother stepped from the car with a smile in her voice. “You’re always hungry. It’s the Irishman in you.”
Liam appreciated his parents’ attempt to lighten the mood, but he wasn’t actually hungry. He’d bet Raine wasn’t, either. She looked out the windshield, lost in worry.
“You have to feed the baby.”
“You’re right.” She blinked, joining him in the present again. “Liam, what happens next?”
“I don’t know. We can only take things one step at a time. Once Sterling calls, we’ll figure out the rest.” He stepped out of the car and came around to open her door, holding out his hand. “Come with me.”
She nodded and laid her trembling fingers in his palm.
He led everyone to the little burger joint that opened for breakfast, allowing patrons to take advantage of the vast view of the Pacific Ocean. As they took their seats, the water seemed to disappear into the thick fog that would likely burn off by noon.
A few people strolled along the shoreline. A handful of hopeful fishermen cast their poles off the end of the pier, just a few feet from where the morning surfers caught their waves. Everyone seemed mired in their own thoughts.
The place wasn’t crowded yet. They ordered quickly, but it was a solemn affair. The food arrived in minutes…then sat barely touched. Even Da, who really did eat all the time, pushed his potatoes around his plate. Raine forced herself to eat half her eggs and a piece of toast before chasing it with a few swallows of tea.
Liam felt more worry settle in his shoulders.
She’d gone too quiet and was up in her head, either doomsday scenario-ing herself into a knotted ball of nerves or plotting some daring rescue he’d completely object to. Or both.
“Raine?”
She tried to smile at him. “I’m fine.”
Like hell. Pregnant, sleep-deprived, overwrought… She was bottling up before his eyes.
Liam wished they could go home so he could pull her into familiar surroundings and crawl inside her head, make her give her worries over to him. But in public, with his parents mere feet away, how the devil could he do that?
Did she think he would break if she leaned on him any more? That he lacked the spine to carry her burdens? Or did she think that only Hammer was strong enough to do that for her?
Da got up to pay the bill at the register. Mum slipped away to the toilet.
The question ate at Liam.
“Hammer’s arrest will become public knowledge, won’t it?” Raine asked into the silence.
“Yes.”
Another worry she’d chew on, damn it. The press had been merciless after Raine’s ordeal with Bill last December. They’d focused their spotlight on her being a supposed sex worker. Hammer had been at the center of the controversy, as well as being the face of it, giving all the statements until the vultures and their poison pens had left them alone to pick the flesh from someone else’s bones.
“Reporters will have a field day with this.” She sounded bitter.
“I don’t give a damn what anyone thinks about me. Nor, I suspect, will Hammer.” He took her hand. “Don’t worry, Raine. I’ll protect you.”
“You don’t have to.” She shook her head and tried giving him a smile full of dry irony. “I’m capable of saying ‘no comment.’”
Of course she was, but she’d let Hammer say it for her many, many times a mere two months ago. Why did she imagine he wouldn’t take on that role?
Da dropped a hand on his shoulder. “Ready to go?”
“Yeah.” Liam was more than ready to find someplace he could explore precisely what was in Raine’s head—and right any misconceptions she might be harboring.
“Raine?” his father prompted.
She rose, looking pale and brittle as she tried to smile. “I’m ready. Thanks for breakfast, Duncan.”
As they headed out, Liam held back, pretending to look around the kitschy little restaurant. Bryn played along.
“I know, son.” She patted his hand. “I’ll keep your father occupied. You have a talk with your girl.”
Thank god his mother understood. “I’m worried.”
“You’ve both been through a lot already today. Just make certain you’re not taking on troubles that aren’t real.”
