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My wince as we start walking does not go unnoticed. The hand in my own quickly pulls me to a stop.
Daniel raises a single brow in question.
“The stones in my shoe were in there for a while, and now my sole hurts,” I say, embarrassed. “I’ll be okay,” I reassure quickly.
I let out a quick squeak when I’m suddenly lifted under my arms and placed on the log we were just sitting on.
I watch my eyes widen as Daniel turns and motions for me to climb onto his back.He’s kidding, right?Too stunned, I just stand there and stare.
He straightens and turns to me. “Climb on,” he orders, giving me his back again and tapping his shoulder.
And as it has been since we met, my body listens to him without question. I loop my arms around his neck, wrap my legs around his waist, and hold on. A smile tugs at my mouth the whole way back.
We reach the end of the tree line much quicker than we had going. I guess my small strides had slowed them the first time. Appreciation runs through me as neither of his brothers had complained about the slower pace.
Noise greets us, and an older-looking man grins at us over the top of his car.
“Well, hello.” His wide smile is from ear to ear as he waves.
Daniel tenses under me.
I give a small wave back.
“Daniel, come help your old man.”
Gently, Daniel crouches so that he can set me down safely.
I unwrap myself from his waist. “Thanks,” I whisper, grateful for the lift.
I look up at him in worry, but I needn’t have. A tightening of his hand around mine along with a kiss to my head, and Daniel silently strides over to his father.
His mom and a woman around my age, maybe a little younger, smile, waving when they meet my gaze. I give an awkward smile back, unsure of how to act.
Daniel remains calm as he walks over to the car, but my heart is in my throat. Kaleb runs over to help. He peeks back at me, probably to check where I might go.
Michael comes to stand beside me, his voice low. “Remember what I said, Charlie. I’ll do anything for Daniel.” I look at him, confused. “You have a family, right?” I nod and wait for him to continue, but he doesn’t. He doesn’t need to because the threat is clear, and he must think so too as with those words, he walks off toward where his dad and brothers are unloading the trunk.
CHAPTERTWENTY-FOUR
Charlie
Loud cheers sound around the dining room table as Sam whines about her brother’s teasing.
My giggle joins the noise as I grin at Daniel. His hand squeezes the back of my neck firmer, and my stomach flutters at his smile.
“Whatever. You asses owe me for taking Charlie hiking and leaving me out,” she complains again with a pout.
Helen tuts.
“Language,” Christopher reprimands his daughter.
Kaleb laughs, taunting his sister more.
They’re so normal that I find myself forgetting everything that has happened. They are just one big, loud family full of love and laughter.
I wish things were different, that Daniel had asked me on a date at the gas station and we had gone out for dinner, had frantic sex in the cab of his truck, and maybe then we could be having dinner with his family without the unspoken words hanging between us.
Daniel has been on edge ever since we left the woods and I met the rest of his family. Like he expects me to scream and demand my freedom at any minute.
