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“You can talk to me about anything. We need to build your trust in us and to do that, we all need to spend time together. And that might mean that our feelings will deepen, which will make it harder if something goes wrong. But I will say this . . . if Owen says he’s going to sort something out, he will. There’s very little he wants in life . . . but when he does want something, he moves the world to get it.”
“He might just have to.”
Slowly, he drew her close. “I hate that you’re worrying so much, Freckles. A problem shared is a problem halved.”
“Your Ma again?”
“Yeah. Sometimes she comes out with some that everyone knows. Other times, she just makes shit up.”
She let out a small giggle, and it was like the sun coming out from behind the clouds. His soul felt lighter.
“Come on, Freckles. I heard that you’ve been wanting to go to the beach. Put your worries aside. At least for today and let’s have some fun.”
She nodded but didn’t say anything.
This girl . . . she took everything on her shoulders. And he wanted to ease that. Even if he had to get a bit Daddy on her ass.
“Right, listen to me.” He drew back, placing his hands on her shoulders and giving her a stern look. “You’re going to make yourself sick if you keep worrying all the time. You’ve got to let people in, let them share the load.”
“I don’t know.”
He cupped her chin. “I do know. Let us take some of that burden and you’ll be able to breathe easier.”
He could feel how tense she was. It wasn’t healthy. There was so much bottled inside.
“One day of not worrying,” she whispered.
“Yep. One day. Can you do that?”
“I think so.”
“Good girl. I’m proud of you. I know this isn’t easy.”
Her shoulders went back.
There was a shout from below. Their names were being called.
“Come on, they’re starting the fun without us.”
“We can’t have that.” She gave him a smile.
“Piggyback ride or would you rather I carried you?”
Her eyes wide. “Neither.”
“Sorry, Freckles, that’s not happening. The path isn’t completely stable, and you could stumble and hurt your ankle further.” He gazed down at her feet. He couldn’t see that one looked swollen or bruised, but Owen wouldn’t have mentioned it if he wasn’t sure.
“It’s really not that bad. And what if you slip? You shouldn’t be carrying me.”
“When I’m carrying you, I won’t ever fall. Promise.” He grimaced as he took in what he’d just said. “That probably sounded really cheesy.”
“No, actually, I thought it was sweet.”
“Good.” Turning, he crouched down. While he’d like to carry her cradled in his arms, he thought she might feel more confident in his ability to get her down to the beach without falling if he could see where he was stepping. “Just think of me as your sweet donkey. That sounded better in my head.”
She chuckled. If him acting like an idiot made her laugh like that . . . then he’d gladly do it.
She moved in behind him and he got his hands around the backs of her thighs, lifting her up.
“Ohh!”
“You okay, Freckles?” he asked as he stood.
“Yes . . . just, you’re strong. And tall.”
“You aren’t scared of heights, are you?” he teased as he started walking down the path.
“Just a bit. This is a much better way to ride than the way Hux carried me,” she told him.
“Hux carried you?”
“He threw me over his shoulder. I nearly threw up.”
“Hux can be . . . impulsive.”
“Is he okay? I haven’t really spoken to him since yesterday afternoon.”
“He’s . . . working through some stuff.”
“Okay,” she whispered.
“Nothing that you said or did. Just something from his past. I can’t say more.”
“It’s all right. I get it.”
At the bottom of the slope, he let her slide back down. When he turned, she wobbled slightly.
“Whoa. Are you all right? What is it? Your ankle?”
“Hmm. Oh no, my ankle is fine. Owen is just being overprotective.”
“Owen can do that.” With people he really cared about—like the three of them.
And her.
He got the feeling it wouldn’t be hard to fall in love with Chloe. She was equal parts strength and vulnerability. Someone with a lot going on, but who did her best to look after everyone else.
Even if no one was taking care of her.
That was going to change.
Beck took in her pale skin. “Are you feeling light-headed? Did you eat breakfast?” He remembered what Owen had said about her eating.
“Um, well . . .”
“Not sure that Owen has had a chance to talk to you about this, but there can’t be any lies between us.”
“Uh, yeah. No, I haven’t had any breakfast.”
“What about dinner last night?” he asked suspiciously.
“No. I wasn’t hungry.”
“When was the last time you ate?”
