AllFreeNovel
Share Us
Timber and her mother took care of her, giving her a bath, feeding her soup, and then laying her in a soft, dark, warm room. It had been her childhood bedroom; she sensed it.
“I am so glad you are okay, honey,” her mother said, kissing her forehead.
Lyra knew now what her mother must have felt. The clutching of one's heart because your heart exists outside of you. Her heart resided inside Marigold and Timber, and she could have easily lost them both.
Her mother hugged her and wept. Timber watched from the door, his loving energy always all-encompassing like a totem placed over an archway.
She would never forget the infinite expanse of that comfort.
THIRTY-ONE
TIMBER
Timber couldn’t keep Lyra in bed for long. She was quickly restless, insisting on getting up.
He relented, but he hovered close to her, and that’s what he was doing now as Karen stood holding Marigold. She giggled happily when her eyes landed on them. He wondered if she missed Lyra as much as he had.
He walked toward Karen, who handed Marigold over. Marigold grabbed at his clothes, pressing herself against him. He cradled her, listening to her heartbeat.
He relaxed, having both of his girls by his side again. He never wanted to lose them. And he meant the promise he made to Lyra about not keeping their relationship a secret.
"Thank you for bringing her back to me," she said, looking at Lyra. "Are you okay?"
Lyra nodded her head. "I'm fine. A little sore and shaken up, but that's it."
Karen sighed, her shoulders dropping in relief. He watched her eyes look over Lyra, looking for marks. She'd been worried.
Lyra gave her a hug which slightly calmed her mother.
After a moment of seeing her daughter, Karen snapped her eyes back to him. She glared at him, shaking her head. "While this is a heartwarming moment, I still don't like you very much. You put my daughter in a dangerous position."
He looked at her, confused. He thought about what she had stated before he went to find Lyra. Something about cheating on her. He didn't understand because that wasn't what happened.
"What do you mean by that?" he asked, kissing the top of Marigold's head. He inhaled her scent, missing her baby smell.
"You shouldn't cheat," she snipped at him, crossing her arms as Lyra pushed free.
"Mom," Lyra whispered. "Please don't. I think we should talk for a moment."
"Don't what? Get angry? I'm already there." Her eyes flew back to him. "You shouldn't have cheated on my daughter. Used her in such a manner. It's men like you that make it hard for girls to move on."
"Hold on a second," he said, waving his hand. "I think there is a misunderstanding going on here."
"Yes, Mom," Lyra said, but her mother waved her hand, forcing them to both fall silent.
"I'm not done," she continued. "My daughter deserves better. For you to be with the secretary, yet you come here to save her? How does that make any sense in your mind?"
He froze. He was confused, and his eyes went to Lyra, who mashed her lips together. She seemed like she was trying not to laugh. If only her mother knew he was really a very loyal bear.
"I'm confused. I don't have the words." He didn't know what to say. He didn't know where she was getting that information, but he had a feeling it was Lyra.
"Clearly," her mother muttered, shaking her head. "That is very clear here. But you need to figure it out. My daughter may be young, but that doesn't mean she has time for you to be using her in whatever way you see fit."
He adjusted Marigold shaking his head. "I can assure you, that isn't what's happening here. I would never do that."
"It is. That is what's happening. You're sleeping with your secretary and my daughter. Pick a woman and stick to it, sir. This bouncing around is unhealthy for all of you."
His mouth hung open in shock. He didn't know what to say.
