“When did he start abusing you?”
She laughed, but there was no humor in it. “He treated me well for the first six months after I gave birth. Like a princess even. Brought me breakfast in bed on the weekends even. Helped with Zoey. I thought. ‘How can I be this lucky?’ But it all changed, little by little.”
David leaned over and grabbed a water bottle from the end table and handed it to her. “Here.”
“Thanks.” She unscrewed the top and took a sip. Placing the lid back on, she rolled the bottle between her palms. “At first it was verbal. Telling me how stupid I was and that no one would want me now that I didn’t have the perfect pre-baby body. The dumb part was that I believed him. Words turned into shoves and then into fists. He’d never leave bruises where others couldsee. When we’d leave the house, we looked like the perfect couple.”
David’s jaw twitched. “How long did this go on?”
Jennie held the cold container against the road rash on her forearm. “Four years.”
“Jennie…”
“Don’t. I don’t want your pity.”
He clamped his lips shut.
“He finally beat me so bad I lost consciousness. Tina found me and called 911. I was taken to the hospital, she kept Zoey for me, and the police arrested Kenny. Once they discharged me from the hospital and I testified against Kenny, I packed up the little I had and came home to Aunt Emily.”
David tucked a strand of hair behind her ear. His touch soft and tender. Unlike anything she’d ever experienced. “I wish you would have done that earlier.”
She swallowed the lump of emotion in her throat. “Me too. But I can’t go back now. I have to live with my mistake.”
“I understand that.” His faraway gaze spoke of a story he’d yet to share with her.
All the energy she’d stored up on her return from the hospital faded. “I’m sorry, David. But I need to go to bed. I’m fading fast.”
“That’s understandable. Let me help you to your room, then I’ll ask Miss Emily where the bedding is for the couch.”
She whipped her head around so fast the room spun. She gripped the back of the couch. “Excuse me?”
“After what happened today, I’m not leaving you or Zoey alone. I’m staying right here until this guy is caught.”
All she could do is blink at him. He couldn’t be serious.
***
David’s proclamation had drained all the color from Jennie’s face. He knew she’d fight for her independence. And after what she’d told him it hadn’t shocked him. But if she thought he would leave her to fend for herself, she had another thing coming. He’d let down his fiancé and she’d died. Not going to happen with Jennie.
David clutched her elbow and guided her to her bedroom doorway. “Anything I can do for you before I go find Miss Emily?”
She bit her lower lip. No doubt holding back a protest. “No. I’m good. Thank you for all you’ve done today.”
“I’d say it was my pleasure, but I never want to see you lying motionless on the ground again.”
She touched the bandage on her temple and smirked. “Can’t say I want to repeat the experience.”
“I’ll be in the living room if you need anything.”
She nodded.
“Goodnight, Jennie.” He turned and headed off to find Mrs. Hanover. They needed to have a discussion that was long overdue.
Emily stood at the kitchen sink scrubbing the bowl and utensils from baking cookies with Zoey earlier that evening. It seemed as though the woman loved to supply treats to everyone in town. Especially the police and fire departments.
He rapped on the molding framing the entryway.
The older woman pivoted. Spotting him, she grinned. “Come on in and have a seat.” She wiped her wet hands on the apron tied around her waist. “I think I can rustle up some snickerdoodles and a glass of milk.”
