“No,” she said firmly, terrified he’d try to drag her from the safety of her room.
Cole stopped. He saw the haunted expression on her face and took a breath. “I’m sorry, Hannah. I got too excited. Will you stay here? I’ll be right back.”
She nodded, relieved he didn’t force her to go.
Cole sprinted down the hall and ran down the steps to the cafeteria. He ducked between people searching for the mac and cheese he saw on the kids’ buffet. He found the empty tray. Glancing around, Cole searched for Kassie and Sparky.
The two women stood at the end of the line. Scarlett handed out silverware while Kassie assisted with drinks.
“Excuse me, can I speak with you two for a moment?” he asked, feeling as if he might jump out of his skin.
Kassie regarded him closely before handing her and Scarlett’s duties to two teens. “What’s wrong?”
“Hannah spoke,” he announced quietly.
Kassie’s hand went to her mouth in shock while Sparky made a fist pump.
“Oh my gosh, I gotta go see her,” Sparky said, grabbing Ice’s harness.
“No. Stop,” Cole insisted. “She’s a bit scared and overwhelmed. She asked for mac and cheese. Do we have any more?” he asked. “Let her eat and come by later. It seemed to take a lot out of her.”
Kassie went into the kitchen, searching for the requested dish.
Sparky grabbed his arm and hugged him. “I’m thrilled. Tell her I’m coming up after we clean the kitchen. You did it, Cole. You got her to speak.”
“We did it,” he insisted. “Dr. Meyers, Kassie, you and me, we never gave up hope.”
“I bet you’re excited,” Scarlett said, grinning.
“Floored feels more like it. I’m damn proud of her,” he said, unable to keep the joy from his face.
Kassie returned with a hot, cheesy bowl of mac and cheese. “It’s only now come out of the oven. Remind her it’s hot. I’ll have Chase check in with her later. Congratulations,” she said, beaming.
Cole ran up the stairs two at a time. He didn’t even realize Brody stayed with Hannah until he made it back to her room.
Hannah sat on the bed, appearing completely lost.
“I brought your requested item, madam,” he teased as he showed her the oversized bowl of the good stuff.
Her eyes grew wide like saucers when she saw the food. He set it down, moving her plate of turkey and all its fixings.
“It’s hot. Be careful,” he warned her.
Hannah pierced the pasta and blew on it. She stared at it for a minute before gazing at Cole.
“Thank you,” she whispered before taking the bite. Her eyes closed and she chewed slowly, savoring the flavor. When she swallowed, she licked her lips and grinned.
“Does it taste as good as you remembered?” he asked, amazed by her.
“Yes,” she said hesitantly. She stared down at the pasta and waited.
Cole guessed what she must’ve gone through. “It’s yours, Hannah. You can eat as much of it as you want. I’m gonna stuff myself with Ty’s mashed potatoes and gravy. We make a pair. Everyone else wants the turkey, but the sides do it for me.”
“I like them, too,” she said, testing out her voice.
He pushed her plate closer and grinned. “Then, let’s get to it. There’s plenty more where this came from.”
She pierced her food one more time and glanced at him to ensure herself he didn’t plan to take it away. It seemed silly in her head, but her body warned her against believing a nice man. The last time she did, the assailant pretended to help her and then violated her. She mulled over her new reality while she enjoyed her first taste of food that didn’t taste rotten or smell moldy.
