“Do you think my mother knew?” I asked, afraid of theanswer.
“I saw her a few times, and just recently. I truly don’t think she had any idea what Morgan was capable of, but who knows. She has changed a lot from when I was younger,” Elijahreplied.
“Why does that man care? Why doyoucare?” I asked shyly. Did I really want to know theanswer?
“I care about people in general, but having known you before everything happened to you, it just makes me care more about you than the other people I help. Since I care so much, that means Kaleb cares, too. We are best friends—practically family. That’s what friends should do: care for oneanother.”
He paused, letting me think on that. It made sense; I just wasn’t used to being caredfor.
“Now, how about we go see what Kaleb whipped up for us?” He patted my leg as an indication that I shouldstand.
“Okay, Sir,” I said, as I slowly made my way off hislap.
He took my hand with a smile and led me to the kitchen. I didn’t really want to leave this room; I wanted to stay on his lap in his arms forever. Instead, I shuffled behind him as he led me into the kitchen, where three places were set with a simple sandwich and a glass of water. Kaleb had just finished setting the water down before taking a seat on one side of thetable.
“Perfect timing,” he grinned. Elijah let me sit first before taking a seat next to me, and across fromKaleb.
“Thank you, Kaleb,” Elijah said before digging into his food. I slowly began to eat, not entirelyhungry.
“No problem,” he replied between bites. “Did you happen to look out the window? You have a guest waiting in yourdriveway.”
“Crap,” Elijah said roughly. “I ignored a phone call earlier today. Excuse me. I’ll be backshortly.”
Once Elijah left, Kaleb seemed to be in deep thought as he took a drink. I ate half of my sandwich before laying it down and putting my hands in my lap. I felt awkward. I had just gotten used to being here, with just Elijah and myself, even though it had been such a shorttime.
I wasn’t sure why, but something about Kaleb demanded my training to the front of mymind.
“You know, Dawn, not many would have had the strength to go through what you did. You have suffered so much, yet you are still so strong,” Kaleb said. He moved to sit beside me, ignoring the fearful look sure to be on my face. “You did wonderfully. I know the girl Elijah adored as a child is still inside you. I know the real you is in there. Right now, I know you are scared and not sure who you are, but given time, you will figure itout.”
Sometime during his talk, he had taken my hand in his, and tears began to run down my cheeks. His simple, light touch made me try to jerk away from him. He lightly squeezed my hand, seeming to understand myproblem.
“I really want you to get to a point where you can put some sort of trust in me, or at least my wife, so you can feel comfortable in my home as well as Elijah’s. My wife, Kelly, and you could get along very well if given the chance. I will bring her by in a week or two, but she’s not quite up to visitingyet.”
“How is she doing?” Elijah said, making me jump. I wasn’t expecting him to be back. “I’m sorry I wasn’t able to stop by; I wantedto.”
“This girl here is more important than we are, as far as you’re concerned. She might singlehandedly be able to bring down this sex ring,” Kaleb said as he placed his folded hands on the table. “Kelly’s doing better, but she’s still sore and tired. The birth was very hard on her, but considering how the entire pregnancy went, it’s notsurprising.”
“Good to hear. Please tell her I asked about her,” Elijah said, as he ran his fingers down the length of my hair. I closed my eyes at his touch, feeling the gentleness I craved more than I wanted toadmit.
“You two work out perfectly,” Kaleb smiled. “Even with such an agedifference.”
“Whatever, Mr. Matchmaker,” Elijah laughed. “I’m taking it one day at a time. Anyway, Morgan left. I told him Dawn wasn’t here and I’d meet up with him later. Not sure what hewanted.”
“What did you do?” Kaleb asked, his voice filled withconcern.
I glanced at Elijah, noticing his hand was red and already slightlyswollen.
“Uh,” he began to answer. “Punched Morgan. All in a day’swork.”
“Why?” I asked, not sure why he’d go to suchlengths.
“I couldn’t shoot him, although I wanted to do just that,” Elijah answered with ashrug.
“I wouldn’t have told anyone,” Kalebjoked.
“You know I can’t shoot him, even though I want that mandead.”
“I’m hoping we can get this case closed within the next three months. But I’d better head home to check on my girls. This is the first time in two weeks she’s been able to be by herself. My sister was staying with us, but she had to get back to her store in New York,” Kaleb said as he stood. “Oh, before I forget…here, sweet girl. You deserve this, and so much more. It’s just a littlepresent.”
He handed me a small silver charm bracelet with an attached charm. Elijah said, “That’s a symbol of strength on there. You can add more as you decide what else symbolizesyou.”
When I looked up from my bracelet, he was gone, and Elijah looked at me in a way I wasn’t used to. It was a mix of love andhope.
