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“If it happens again, please wake me up. You aren’t alone anymore. Even if you don’t want to talk about it, let me be there for you.”
Her nod was almost imperceptible. “Okay.”
That didn’t satisfy me, though it would have to do. We were walking through a field of landmines, every step setting off a new explosion. Neither of us knew how to navigate it, and it was only getting harder. She kept getting hurt no matter my intentions. That was something I’d never accept.
Chapter Thirty
Muriella
Anticipation pulsedat the sight of the black pickup truck parked exactly where Stone promised he’d be. The flurry of children and parents had disappeared, the outside of the school now empty and quiet.
For the first time since this morning, a sliver of calm filled in the cracks the vivid nightmare had broken wide open. More than once, I’d wished for the comfort of an embrace from Vivian. The fear had its tendrils firmly around me. I needed more than kind words or a shoulder to cry on. A soothing touch to erase the scathing ones I couldn’t escape was the only thing that could help me get out of this nightmare’s grasp.
Stone hopped out from the driver’s side and strode toward me. I met him halfway, squeezed my eyes shut, and flung myself into his chest. Strong arms folded me into them.
“Hey,” he said against my hair.
I clung to him more tightly and inhaled his sunshine and outdoors scent. The peace I’d been searching for slowly seeped into me. He stroked my back and kissed the top of my head, exactly what I’d needed since I’d woken up in a sweat. Instead of fear, there was only gratitude. I held on to him with all my strength.
Please God let me have more of this.
I wanted to be able to hug him like this anytime, for no reason, and not be scared. The plea seemed simple enough, but it was a big ask. One I prayed would be granted. Not just for me, but for Stone too.
Eventually, I relaxed my grip, though I didn’t let go.
“I had a bad day,” I whispered. “But the cupcakes helped.”
When the delivery had arrived, I’d hated the attention. I deflected questions as best I could, but the children were thrilled when they discovered Stone had sent enough for the whole class.
His face twisted in pain. “Let’s get you home. We can go to the set another time.”
“But you have to work,” I protested.
“I’m not leaving you to face this on your own.” He brushed a loose strand of hair from my eyes.
“I’ll be okay.” I already felt a little better. The darkness on the fringes of my heart had receded, yet lurked, ready to creep up on me again.
“You don’t have to pretend with me.”
“I know.” Gently, I shoved at his stomach. “We should go. I’m not ready to go home yet anyway.” The thought of another nightmare had me desperate to evade sleep. I dreaded when the time for bed would come.
He studied my face, eventually relenting. “Whenever you want to leave the studio, we’ll go.”
“Did you hear any news about the ranch?” I asked as we wandered toward the truck.
“No. I talked to Daniel, but he didn’t mention anything new.” He held open the door for me.
“You spoke to him?” I hesitated with one foot in the pickup, the other on the ground.
“Yeah. Close to lunchtime. Why the frown?”
I started to say it was nothing, but I wouldn’t want Stone to do that to me.
“He still hasn’t returned my call.”
“I reached him on Vivian’s phone, but didn’t ask why.” Stone leaned against the doorway, squinting as he tried to piece together the details.
“They’re busy.”
