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He swallowed past the lump in his throat. “No matter what the future holds for me and you, I will always love this child.”
He was surprised at how true his statement was. He was blessed to have nephews and nieces, but nothing compared to the fierce protectiveness and love that squeezed his chest when he pictured the little bundle that would soon be in this world.
“How can I feel so lucky when so much bad stuff is happening around me?” Laura asked.
“You’ve been dealt a rough hand for quite a while. It’s about time you’ve gotten some luck.”
She smiled up at him before pressing a quick kiss to his lips.
Ding Dong
She froze.
“Expecting company?” he asked.
She shook her head. “You don’t think Isaac would be stupid enough to come here and ring my doorbell, do you?”
“He’s definitely an idiot,” Cade said, standing. “But I’m not sure even he’d do that. Just to be safe, I’ll go check it out.”
He hurried down the hall, pulse racing. Too much had happened to stay calm until he knew for certain a threat didn’twait on the other side of the door. A quick peek out the front window told him no one waited to ambush him or Laura, but shock still slowed his motion as he opened the door and found himself staring at Nicole Metcalf.
Sitting on her bed,anxiety zipped through Laura’s system. She was like a sitting duck in her own house, waiting to make sure no one had showed up to hurt her.
Not like that wasn’t familiar. She’d spent years not feeling safe in her own home. But she’d made the choice to leave—finally took that first and dangerous step away from her abuser. Her little house might not be flashy, but it had given her shelter and security like she’d never known before.
But now she was back to square one. Waiting. Scared. In danger.
“Laura!” Cade called. “Your mom’s here.”
She shot to her feet and hurried to the living room. Her mother stood with her hands clasped in front of her, red-rimmed eyes wide and her blond hair pulled in a low ponytail. “Mom? What are you doing?”
Nicole erased the distance between them and wrapped her in a quick hug. “I heard about what happened earlier. I’m just sick. I needed to make sure you were all right.”
Laura breathed in the familiar scent of her mom’s floral perfume mixed with the lavender lotion she always slathered all over. Her mother had always been warm and caring, a calming force in a house filled with tension.
Until her father came home.
Then she transformed into a meek, trembling woman who’d lost her voice. Lost her sparkle.
As much as she loved her mom and understood she protected her and her siblings the only way she knew how, Laura wanted better for her own child. Wanted a home filled with nothing but love and happiness and laughter.
“I’m fine,” she said, taking a step away from her mom.
“You should come home with me until Isaac is found. No need to put yourself in danger.”
“I’m with Cade. Isaac won’t get his hands on me.” Cade might feel guilty that he hadn’t been the one to send Isaac running before, but she trusted him with her life. He’d never let anyone hurt her.
“You can’t possibly plan to have Cade stay here with you until this is over. Do you know how that looks?” Nicole dropped her voice to a whisper as if even saying the words would invite judgment.
Laura lifted her chin. “It looks like a good man is protecting me. Is wanting me to be safe.”
Cade dropped his gaze to the floor, but not before she saw his smile.
“We all want you to be safe, dear. Please. Let your father and me handle this. Your father is beside himself. He only wants to clean up this whole mess.”
She snorted. “And how does he want to do that? By glossing over the fact the man he wants me to be with held a knife against my side? Against our baby?”
Nicole cast a nervous glance at Cade before looking back at Laura. “You know your father loves you. He wants what’s best for you and the baby.”
