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In the days that followed, Sean delivered every meal to Asia. He fed her small bites until her plate was empty. She opened her mouth for him, but her lips never curved into a smile. He bought her dresses and shoes, and she thanked him politely. They went for daily walks in the garden, never saying more than two words to each other. With every passing day, they became a little more like strangers. For everyone else, he kept up the show—something he’d learned to do well through the years—but he knew he was losing the battle.
On one of their afternoon walks, Asia took a seat on the deck. He didn’t ask if she was tired or aching any longer. She always said no, and he hated that she wouldn’t tell him the truth. Instead, he studied the way the sun caught the highlights in her dark blond hair.
Clelia walked over and placed a hand on Asia’s uninjured shoulder. “How are you today?”
Asia stiffened a little. “Good, thanks.”
“Do you mind if I steal Sean for a while?”
“Please, do.” She offered Clelia a strained smile. “I told him a million times already he doesn’t have to babysit me.”
Hooking her arm around Sean’s, Clelia guided him to the deserted church garden.
“What’s up?” he asked.
“We’re all leaving tomorrow.”
A weight pressed on his chest. Everyone leaving meant his time was running out as well. “Going back to France?”
“Joss, Laudren, and I, yes. The others are going back to New York.” Her smile was rueful. “I miss my animals.”
Emily and Matthew had decided to stay with Asia, but Emily was eager for Matthew to return to school. His college had granted him special exemption for sympathy leave. Kat was helping him with home studies.
Clelia leaned against the wall of the fountain. “Eve said Asia can go home, too.”
Sensing she had more to say, he waited.
“I’m worried about her.” Clelia’s brow wrinkled. “Is she all right?”
He scrubbed a hand over his jaw, considering how to phrase it. “Things happened on the island. I think she should talk to someone, a therapist, maybe.”
“Will she be up for it?”
“Honestly? I don’t know.” He pressed the heels of his palms on his tired eyes. “She keeps everything inside. The only thing I know for a fact is that she hates my presence.”
Maybe that was part of the problem. Maybe him hanging around didn’t help. He didn’t want to leave her, but if it meant she’d get better—
“You mustn’t say that.” Clelia laid a hand on his arm. “She’s been through a lot.”
“Because of me.” It gutted him to admit that out loud. “I’m the one who kept her in the dark.”
Clelia’s gaze was compassionate. “You explained everything to her, didn’t you?”
“I’m not sure explaining is going to cut it.”
“We’re here for both of you. Don’t hesitate to call if you need anything, even when we’re back in France.”
“Yeah.” He kicked a loose rock in the flowerbed and shoved his hands in his pockets. “Thanks.”
In two weeks’ time, Asia was almost as good as new. Nightmares of Juan and Godfrey still woke her every night, but the intensity of reliving them was lessening. In time, the dreams would fade. Emily always said time healed everything.
Cain, Maya, Tim, Clelia, Joss, and Laudren had gone home. She wasn’t sure where home was for her. Kat had ensured her they were welcome to stay for as long as they liked. Lann had offered to make the travel arrangements for her, Matt, and Emily whenever she was ready, but she hadn’t taken him up on the offer yet because she didn’t know where to go. However, there was no denying it was time to move on. Now that she’d healed, she was overstaying her welcome, and she didn’t want to accept more charity from Cain’s team than necessary.
Emily and Matt got on well with everyone. They didn’t know who these people really were or what Cain’s role in Asia’s kidnapping was. As far as they were concerned, Juan met her on the island and tried to force her into marriage. She didn’t share the details with them. Cain had told them he was with a special government operation, and they were safe now. That was all Emily and Matt needed to know. More information would put them at risk. She didn’t want them to live with the knowledge she’d obtained. If they knew what she knew, they’d never feel safe.
Whilst her grandmother and brother enjoyed the team’s company, she merely tolerated them. They were responsible for what she’d been through. She could never forget that. Now that she was strong enough, she’d take her family far away from here. It would be difficult to explain to them why they wouldn’t see any of these people again. Emily was already talking about future visits and staying in touch. Matt was especially fond of Sean. He’d adopted him as a role model, which would make finding an excuse for not allowing him to maintain contact with Sean even more difficult.
