Total pages in book: 117
Estimated words: 108362 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 542(@200wpm)___ 433(@250wpm)___ 361(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 108362 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 542(@200wpm)___ 433(@250wpm)___ 361(@300wpm)
When Jace returned with Zara, Dixon switched out with Isla, who took up sentry duty in her car outside.
“I’ll be at Bren’s for a few hours, but Isla will stay outside until I get back,” Jace said.
“Okay, see you later.” I’d wanted to argue again about having trained security personnel outside my house, but another part of me was still shaken about this morning and was grateful for the protection, especially with Zara home from school.
When that car was speeding towards me, I hadn’t seen my life flash before my eyes. I was too busy worrying about my daughter having to face the rest of her life without me. I couldn’t stand the idea of her having to grieve me so young. It didn’t bear thinking about.
I spent the evening making dinner and preparing some lunches for the rest of the week. It was almost eight o’clock, and Jace still wasn’t back. I peered out the window and saw that Isla was still stationed outside, so I brought her something to eat since she’d been there for hours. I wasn’t the greatest cook in the world, and it was only chicken and potatoes with broccoli, but she seemed to appreciate the gesture.
I’d just put Zara to bed and was laying out a pillow and blanket on the couch for Jace when there was a soft knock on the front door. I set everything down and went to answer it. Jace wore a tired smile when I opened the door, and I knew how he felt. Today had been emotionally taxing.
“Hey,” I greeted, and he stepped inside. He had a backpack over his shoulder, which I presumed contained clothes and other essentials for staying the night. Earlier, while putting Zara to bed, I’d explained to her that her dad would be sleeping over for a few nights. She’d been so excited about the prospect that she hadn’t thought to ask why he was staying, which was a small mercy. I wasn’t sure how to explain what had happened that morning. She wasn’t old enough to hear about something so unsettling.
“I spoke to Zara. She’s excited that you’re staying over. I had a job getting her to go to sleep at her usual time, though. She begged to wait up for you.”
Jace’s smile brightened a little. “She’s so cute. I love her so much.”
His words had my chest tightening, the truth of them. Having Jace here was safer than being alone, but it was also an emotional minefield, especially since I knew he loved our daughter just as much as I did. The shared affection made me feel closer to him because when it came to Zara, we’d always been surprisingly on the same page. She was our first priority.
I led him into the living room, motioning to the bed I’d made up on the couch, while my heart hammered in my chest. The idea of him being here when I woke up in the morning made me feel unexpectedly content. The rightness of him sleeping under my roof was a feeling I hadn’t been anticipating and would take time for me to untangle.
After our conversation last night, I’d laid awake, replaying his words over and over. It felt like a release to express to him how much he’d hurt me in the past, to let him know the anger and pain I’d had to work through. The way he’d responded with such calm, steadfast confidence, letting me know that he was never going to put me through anything like that again, well, it soothed something within me. To hear him express so sincerely his intentions to do better was something I hadn’t known I’d needed. And it was probably why I said what I did next.
“I should probably get you a key if you’re going to be staying here a while.”
“You’d trust me with a key?” Jace sounded both surprised and touched.
“Of course, I would. I trust you, Jace.”
“Not completely yet,” he said, sounding a little sad but resolute, like he was resolved to change that fact.
A small quiet passed before I spoke. “Are you hungry? I have some leftovers.”
“I’m fine. I already ate. I don’t expect you to cook for me, Shannon. I know it’s a lot having me here.”
“Well, yes, I’m not used to having company, but I also appreciate you doing this. It’s not going to be comfortable. Oh, I think Ozzie has a futon he doesn’t use very often. Perhaps I could ask to borrow it—”
“I’ll be fine on your couch. Relax.”
“Right, well, let me know if you need anything.”
“I will.”
His gaze held mine, and I felt trapped, wanting to flee the intensity of his stare in the quiet house but also not wanting to move a single inch. Tingles skittered along my forearms as I swallowed thickly and finally forced my feet to move.