“Is it alright if I let him know you’re here?”
“Is he going to be angry with me?”
“No.He’ll just be relieved to see you’re safe.”
She nodded, even as her stomach clenched.
“Over here,” Brennan yelled.
Trent was out of breath when he reached them.“Why are you on the ground?”he asked Brennan, his tone accusatory.“Did you hurt her?”
“He’s on the ground to make me feel safe,” Samantha explained, feeling so conflicted.On one hand, she was grateful for the gesture, but embarrassment prickled in her neck and cheeks.She was broken, and they all knew it.
As understanding dawned, Trent crouched.“Are you hurt?”
“Nothing serious.A few scrapes on my palms, and I think I twisted my ankle.”
He nodded.“Do you wish to stay out here for a while?Or do you want to go back up to the house?”
His words stunned her.She looked around, and tears welled in her eyes again.He wasn’t making her go back.It was her choice.
“You’d allow me to stay here?”
“Of course.I’ll sit here with you for as long as you’d like.”
She’d never had a choice before.Slowly, she nodded.“I’ll come back.”As she moved to push herself up, pain burned in her palms and she flinched, pulling her hands back.
“If we each take an arm, we can get her up without hurting her hands,” Brennan suggested.
“Are you comfortable with that?”Trent asked.“Or would you rather I go fetch some maids to help you?”
She closed her eyes for a moment.It was time for her to stop being afraid of these men.Or at least, to try.Even if she still struggled to believe it, they quite clearly weren’t going to hurt her.She lifted her arms and they both helped her gently to her feet.She winced as she tried to take a step and pain shot through her ankle.
“Do you want me to carry you?”Trent asked.
Even though she understood he wasn’t going to hurt her, it was still hard to ask for his help.It would only put her even more at his mercy.She wasn’t going to be able to walk all the way back, though.She breathed in deeply to quiet her fear.“If you wouldn’t mind terribly.”
He reached his arms behind her knees and back as she rested hers around his shoulders.“Ready?”
“Yes.”
He scooped her up and cradled her in front of him as he strode toward the house.She could feel his strength, but he was so gentle with her.
A group of servants were gathered there.They’d probably been sent to look for her.The entire house must think her completely mad.And perhaps she was.Perhaps all she’d been through had shattered her sanity along with her soul.She held him a little tighter as he climbed the stairs.
“I’m not going to drop you, Samantha.”
“I’m sorry, Trent.I didn’t mean to create problems.”
“You’re safe now, which means there are no problems.”He set her on the edge of her bed.“Let me see your hands.”
He looked at each one for a moment.“Don’t move.I’m going to fetch what I need to clean those up.”
“I can manage, Trent.You don’t need to trouble yourself.”She hadn’t meant to turn herself into a burden.
“It’s no trouble, whatsoever.I’ve cleaned so many scraped hands and knees I could do it in my sleep.”He left, and Sandra hovered silently in the corner.
“This isn’t your fault, Sandra.”
