Total pages in book: 74
Estimated words: 70934 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 355(@200wpm)___ 284(@250wpm)___ 236(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 70934 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 355(@200wpm)___ 284(@250wpm)___ 236(@300wpm)
“I lay there in that trunk, thinking sooner or later, I would get help. None came. Even when I knew my baby was dying, I still held out hope someone would find us in time. No one did, and when she took her last breath, I didn’t want to be saved anymore. I wanted to die with her.
“When I heard someone at the trunk, I didn’t make a sound. I wanted them to go away. It’s funny, but when I quit wanting to be found was when I was.
“I fought the deputy who tried to help me. It took two EMTs to get me out of that trunk and take my baby away. In the hospital, they told me Scott had parked in an isolated parking lot, gotten in the back seat, and shot himself. One of the abuse workers I had remained in contact with had reported me missing, and all the members had banded together to search for us. One of them found the car in the parking lot.”
Tate had remained silent so long she raised her head, finding his own eyes brimming with tears and his cheeks wet.
“If I hadn’t left that day …”
“If I hadn’t listened to Lisa …”
Tate’s tortured expression had her protective instincts rising. She couldn’t bear to see the big, outrageously confident man believe he was responsible for any part of the disaster her life had become with Scott.
“It was no one’s fault besides mine. I should have brought Valentine back to Treepoint, but my pride held me back. I didn’t want to face my parents with my mistake. I didn’t want to see you around town, hating me, gloating that I was divorced.”
A groan passed his lips.
“I’m making it worse, aren’t I?”
“That you thought I was the biggest walking asshole imaginable? You were wrong. I wouldn’t have gloated. I would have been chasing after you.”
“Yeah, right. You didn’t exactly welcome me back to town.”
“Maybe not, but I wasn’t able to stay away, either. Why do you think I was out in the woods the night Lyle was killed?” He picked up one of her hands, turning it over and rubbing the scarred flesh of her wrist with his thumb. “You …”
“In the hospital, without Valentine, I didn’t want to live. I think Scott didn’t shoot us because he wanted us to die a slow, painful death, but the bastard didn’t have the courage to do it himself. I locked myself in the bathroom and slit my wrists with a razor I stole from a male patient’s room next to mine. A nurse found me in time, and they managed to save me.”
“Are you still suicidal?” No one would ever accuse a Porter of being tactful.
“No, I received counseling and the support of the domestic violence group that helped rescue me.” She gave him an ironic smile. “It didn’t take long for my mountain blood to kick back in. I decided to live just to spite Scott. It wasn’t much of a reason to keep living, but then I began helping other abused women. I put them in contact with those who could help, plastic surgeons to repair physical damage that is a constant reminder of the abuse they suffered.” She ran a finger down her perfectly shaped nose. “The worst thing is to be reminded every time you look in a mirror.”
“I’m thankful they were there for you.” Tate lifted her hand to his mouth, his lips delicately brushing the scars on her wrist.
“I don’t give Scott any power over me any longer, but my wedding band reminds me not to trust in my heart ever again. It’s let me down two times.”
“Your heart didn’t let you down; the men you loved did,” Tate said. “I can’t change the past. I would give my own life to bring back your daughter for you, but I can’t. I can only prove I’ll be there for you from now on.”
Sutton pulled away from him, tugging her hand out of his firm grip. “I’m not going to give you or any other man another chance. I’m finally content with my life.”
“You might have a million reasons not to trust me when I tell you I want to start over with you.”
Sutton shook her head. There was no way she would have a relationship with Tate. He might crack the wall she had created around her heart to protect it.
“Don’t say ‘no’ yet. We’ll take it slow. I’ll even let you set the rules.”
She stared at him doubtfully. Tate letting a woman be in control was beyond his capability.
He grinned at her expression then stood and reached down to pull her to her feet.
“You might have a million reasons not to trust me, but I only need one chance to prove you wrong.” He lifted her into his arms.