Sierra gripped the sheets in her hands, willing herself not to cry, but the tears wouldn’t listen and erupted en masse. Without thinking, she reached into her bag for her phone.
“Can you come and get me? I need you.”
“Where are you?”
Sierra read off the address, voice dull with tears.
“Okay, I am not far from there be there in ten minutes.”
Sierra got up and made her way to the washroom, splashing cold water on her face. Her shower would have to wait, so would her legs. She grabbed her purse and cane, then went down to wait for her ride.
Chapter 14
Jacob sat behind the wheel of his car, his hands shaking. He’d never laid hands on a woman before, and as soon as he’d done it, he regretted his reaction. But he couldn’t quell his anger over her request.
His mind played over her comment about how she’d changed.Of course she’d claim she was different. Tale as old as time. He could not afford to let her yank their daughter into that world of mercurial tantrums or if he would find her passed-out drunk. He and Kaitlyn had been through enough.
He took several deep breaths to calm his nerves. Jacob checked his car clock once his hands steadied.Shit.He was not going to make it home in enough time to tuck Kaitlyn in. Marissa picked up on the first ring. Her voice sounded breathy, as if she’d just run to the phone.
“Hello? Jacob?” She whispered his name.
“Hi, Marissa. Is Kaitlyn asleep or still up?”
There was a long pause, and he figured she was looking at Kaitlyn. “She is sleepy but fighting it.”
He could imagine how stubborn she was being, her eyes heavy with exhaustion. Through the phone, he heard “Is that Daddy?”
“Yes.”
“Is he coming home?”
“Tell her yes but she will be sleeping when I get home.”
He heard his daughter protest in the background. “You need to sleep, Sweety. In the morning, you will see him. I know,but you need to rest for your body to get better.” He could hear shuffling and muffles. “Hold on, Jacob.”
Jacob mindlessly traced his finger along the steering wheel until Marissa came back on the line. “How did it go?”
“It went okay. She is here now and willing to help.”
“Oh, thank goodness. That is great news.” Marissa enthused, her voice carrying enough happiness for the both of them. He smiled, his mood lightened by hearing her voice.
“What’s great news?” He heard his sleepy-sounding daughter pipe up in the background.
“Kaitlyn, get back into bed, now.” Marissa lectured, her voice loving but stern. “Just a minute Jacob.”
“No, it is okay, let me talk to her for a minute and then she can go back to bed and sleep.”
“Hi Daddy.”
He melted inside every time he heard her call him that. “Hi sweetheart, it is time for you to go to sleep.”
“I know but I just wanted to talk to you. Are you coming home now.” Her voice was heavy, tired; he hoped it was just because it was late.
“Yes, soon, but you will be asleep and can see me in the morning. I will be all yours tomorrow.”
“Promise?” And he heard her yawn.
“Yes, promise. We can color and watch all your favorite programs tomorrow.” Jacob listened to her breathing on the phone as she digested what he’d just said.
