Total pages in book: 153
Estimated words: 155903 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 780(@200wpm)___ 624(@250wpm)___ 520(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 155903 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 780(@200wpm)___ 624(@250wpm)___ 520(@300wpm)
God. She felt like she could fall asleep like this. Although, no doubt Reuben’s back would get tired if he had to carry her around for too long.
When he sat at the table and started to undo the harness, she let out a noise of protest.
“Hush, baby. I’ll put you back in it soon. But you have to eat and have your medicine.”
“Not hungry,” she grumbled.
“Just eat a bit for Daddy. I don’t want you getting lightheaded.” He sat her in her own seat, which she really didn’t like. But then she noticed the flower arrangement sitting in a vase on the table.
“They’re pretty, Daddy. Did you get them for me?”
“Yeah, I’ve put in a standing order for flowers each week.”
She sniffled. “That’s so nice. I love them.”
“Good. Now, be a good girl and eat for Daddy.” He spooned up some macaroni and cheese.
Yum.
Anita must have cooked that for her. He tested the temperature first, then swooped the spoon through the air, making a plane noise.
She managed half the bowl before shaking her head. “Daddy, full.”
“All right. Let me just get your pills and then you can go back to bed.”
Urgh. Bed. Yuck.
But she took her pills like a good girl, sucking down the water from her sippy cup to swallow them. She hadn’t once had to remember to take them, Reuben had taken care of all of that.
Like he took care of everything.
“Daddy, I’ve been thinking,” she said as he put her back in the harness, so he could rinse the dishes.
“Yes?”
“I think that we should do something nice for Margie.”
“I’m already on it. I’ve offered her a place to stay and she said yes. She and her dog moved in there yesterday.”
Dear Lord.
“You’re so sweet.”
He shook his head at her. “Only you would say that, baby.”
She didn’t care what he thought. She thought he was a good man.
“You take such good care of me, Daddy.”
“I’m going to take even better care of you from now on.”
That filled her with warmth. And a bit of trepidation. Because he’d already been overprotective.
But now . . . she worried he might be even worse.
She felt a shove.
A scream of horror escaped her as she realized she was falling into the path of an oncoming car.
Pain enveloped her.
No! Nooo!
With a small gasp, she woke up, looking around her. Her heart was racing.
She wasn’t falling in front of a car.
She was all right. She was in bed. Turning, Faith glanced around, looking for him. Then she realized he was lying next to her on the bed.
Fast asleep.
Relief flooded her. She’d been so worried about him. It seemed like he wasn’t sleeping at all. It had been a week since her accident and every time she’d woken up, he’d been sitting by her bed, watching her obsessively.
So, this was a good thing.
Then she glanced down at her right wrist. It was lying flat on the bed between them.
And he had his fingers on her pulse.
That was so sad and so sweet at the same time. Slowly, his eyes opened, and he took her in.
“Baby?”
“I’m all right,” she reassured him, knowing what he was asking.
“You’re awake. Are you in pain? What do you need?”
“I’m fine. Really.”
His gaze narrowed. Some of the old, bossy, controlling Reuben snuck in. And her heart cheered. Was he going to tell her off? Threaten to spank her?
But he drew back, shutting off his emotions from her.
Fudge knuckles.
Something had to change. She had to help him get past this.
Past this all-consuming fear of something happening to her. He hadn’t once threatened to spank her. Or slept with his fingers inside her. Or even bossed her around beyond not letting her get out of bed.
Heck, yesterday, she’d only drunk half the amount of water she was supposed to, and he’d simply asked her to do better tomorrow.
Asked her!
It was unheard of.
“You should have woken me up, baby. I’m here for you. Do you need a drink? Something to eat? Some warmer blankets? You feel cold to me.”
She was. But she didn’t want blankets to warm her. Reuben got up and found another blanket in the closet, placing it over her.
“Perhaps I should get you one of those sleeping bags for babies,” he said.
“I don’t like my arms being trapped.” Just the idea had her breath coming faster. “Please don’t do that.”
“Baby, of course not.” His face grew fierce. “I’d never do that. Never.”
No. Of course he wouldn’t.
What could she do to help him? She just didn’t know. But she had an idea of someone who might. As he lay down again, placing his hand on her chest this time, she decided on a game plan.
Tomorrow, she was calling for help.
Juliet frowned as Faith told her everything three days later.
Reuben was in the shower and she figured this was her only chance to talk to his sister. He rarely left her alone; he’d even set up a desk in the corner of the bedroom.