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Sighing, I turn back to the road, noticing the snow is heavier the closer to the house we get.
“We’ll talk back at the house so at least I can hold you. I need to hold you, Elise.”
She accepts my answer.
We both stay silent as the house comes into view. The snow is whipping around like crazy and I’m relieved to see the lights have been switched on at the front of the house. All I need to do is to try and judge where the garden starts to leave the truck.
Normally, I’d pull into the garage, but chances are I’d hit something trying to get to it as visibility is getting worse and all I can see is white. It’s safer parking outside.
I jump out of the truck and turn back to lift her down. Taking her hand, I pull her into me, and wrapping my arm around her shoulders, I guide her to the front door before ushering her inside and slamming the door shut behind us. I glance over to Elise and start laughing. She looks like a snowman. I probably look just as bad.
Elise grins at me, but it turns into a wince as she reaches for her face. I come back to earth with a bang.
Quickly shucking my outer things, I toss them onto one of the coat hooks and walk over to Elise. Slowly unzipping her jacket, I peel it down her arms and with a gentle kiss to her uninjured cheek, I pull off her snow-covered hat.
Her gear stored next to mine, I caress along her jaw and slip my hand to the back of her neck to pull her closer to me. With my other hand, I reach up and gently caress the swollen side of her face. Elise slides both her arms around me and snuggles into my chest.
I wrap myself around her.
She’s my woman to protect and I let her down. That won’t be happening again. He’ll have to go through me to get to her. I wish I could promise she won’t see him again, but I’m not too sure that’s going to happen. Right now we need to get the police involved.
“Babe, will you let me call Sheriff Jacobs?” I hold my breath waiting for her answer.
She hesitates before nodding. “Yes.”
“Okay. Let me get you comfortable in the living room with some painkillers as well, and then I’ll call him.”
“Thanks Jake . . . for coming to my rescue.” Elise lifts her head to look at me.
Before she can add anything to her thanks, I tell her, “No thanks are needed. You’re the woman I love. It’s my job to be there for you. I should have been there to protect you.”
“Shush. Neither of us knew what was going to happen so the only person to blame is Tom. Don’t you dare carry the blame of what’s happened. You’ll piss me off if you do.”
Fighting my instinct to protect Elise is more difficult than I thought it would be. But if she needs me to stop the way I’m thinking then I can do that, or at least appear to because there is no way that bastard is going to get away with what he’s done.
“C’mon.” I usher her toward the sofa. “You need to rest and let your body relax.”
Watching her curl up on the sofa causes an ache in my chest. She looks so damn fragile. Grabbing the throw from the back of the sofa, I cover her up. “I’ll go and get you some Tylenol or do you want something stronger?” I offer as I kiss her on the forehead.
“Tylenol is fine.”
I turn and head toward the kitchen, wanting to pound into something.
Or even better, someone.
Chapter 17
Cade
After eating the sandwiches, we head to the stable to saddle Honey Bee and King for a short ride in the snow.
The stables are deserted when we arrive. “Isn’t there anyone else around today?” I ask.
“No, they didn’t come in today, because of the roads. I saw to them earlier.”
“That’s good. So we’re alone, right?”
“Yes.”
