AllFreeNovel
Share Us
After placing their bags in the car, they walked down the street to the grocery store. It wasn’t anywhere near as large as the markets in the city, but Liam purchased several fresh vegetables, fruit, and other items to restock the cabin. When they reached the aisle with the popcorn, she picked up the biggest bag.
“That’s a lot of corn, honey.”
“I know, but it’s not all for us, remember?”
“It’s unlikely you’d let me forget,” he said, taking the bag and adding it to their cart. At her insistence, they added a bag of cranberries as well. “What we don’t string, I can use to make relish or chutney.” After paying for their groceries, Liam asked, “How about some lunch before we go home? There is a diner just down the road a bit. I’ve heard the food is good, and it would be nice to try it before we have to go home.”
Elena knew he didn’t mean go back to the cabin, but back to the city. And while she wasn’t hungry, she knew that he’d prepared every meal and couldn’t deny him a chance to eat one that someone else had cooked.
“That sounds good.”
The diner was quaint and warm with delicious aromas greeting them as they entered. “I’ll be right back,” Elena said quietly after he’d helped her out of her coat.
“All right. What do you want to drink? Hot chocolate?”
“No, I’d like hot tea if they have it, please.”
He nodded and she went into the restroom. Her stomach had begun to cramp a bit but she only urinated. Washing her hands, she prayed that her face didn’t look as pale as she thought it did. Patting her cheeks a bit, she left the restroom and slid into the booth across from her daddy. They did have tea though it wasn’t the Constant Comment brand she preferred. Still it was hot and with honey and cream, it eased her tummy after a few sips.
When he asked what she felt like eating, she said she didn’t know. “Why don’t you pick for me? I’m not very hungry. I had a huge breakfast.”
“You most certainly did not. You didn’t even eat a whole piece of toast.”
“That’s because oatmeal is really filling.” She forced herself not to look away when he seemed to stare at her. “How about a hamburger and fries.”
“That sounds good, I’ll have the same.” Though the burger was good, she just couldn’t finish even half of it. “Elena, what’s wrong? Do you feel all right? You’ve not eaten but two or three bites.”
“Nothing, I’m just not hungry. Do you want the rest of mine?”
“No, I want you to eat at least half of your burger. Are you sure you aren’t ill? You look a little pale.” He reached across the table and laid his palm on her forehead. “You don’t feel hot though.”
Picking up her burger, she took another bite, forcing herself to swallow. “I’m not feverish. I was just nervous about coming into town and my stomach got upset. I feel better now.” To hide the flinch she couldn’t contain when her stomach cramped, she took another bite, fighting not to gag, but he reached over and took it from her hand.
“Enough.”
“But—”
“Not another word, Elena. I am too upset right now.” When he signaled for the check, she sat in silence, her hand rubbing against her belly.
He lifted her into the car, buckling her in, all without saying a word. She felt awful and not because her stomach was cramping, and she was beginning to feel nauseated. Guilt consumed her every time she looked over to see her daddy staring straight ahead. She so wanted to apologize, but he looked so angry. They’d turned off the main road but at the first dip into one of the deeper ruts, she cried, “Daddy, stop, please!”
Before the car fully stopped, she had unbuckled her belt and was yanking the door open.
“Elena, wait!”
She couldn’t; she jumped out, stumbling, but made it to the tree line before she fell to her knees and retched.
“Easy, baby, I’ve got you.” And he did, he knelt beside her, holding her hair back and supporting her as she leaned forward and emptied her stomach. When she was dry heaving, her arms wrapped around her torso, he scooped up some snow in his fingers and pressed them to her lips, gently cleaning her mouth and chin. Then he wet his handkerchief with more snow and wiped her entire face and the back of her neck.
“I’m sorry!” she gasped, wincing when another cramp hit.
“I am too,” he said, picking her up and carrying her back to the car. “I trusted you, Elena, and you lied to me, didn’t you?”
“I-I didn’t mean to!”
“Don’t make it worse. You don’t lie by accident. Keep this on your neck. It will help,” he instructed, placing the handkerchief he’d rolled on the back of her neck.
When they got home, she didn’t even try to get out by herself. She figured she was in deeper trouble than she’d ever been. Her daddy carried her into the house and straight up the stairs and into her room. After stripping her, he splayed his palm across her belly, which was pooching out slightly.
