Two minutes later, his old colored pencils scattered across the table top and Nora went to work on a blank sheet, her tongue sticking out the side of her mouth. Izzy and Cade abandoned the cards and drew pictures, too. He tried to show Izzy how to do some shading and the girls fanned his ego with compliments about how talented he was. I popped some popcorn in the microwave and set a steaming bowl on the table. It wasn’t long until they were engrossed and having fun again.
It was getting closer to their bedtime though. Past seven o’clock already.
When I was certain their needs were met, I crept down the hallway again and pressed my ear to the door.
Nothing but silence.
With my heart thumping, I pushed open the door and whispered, “Hollie?”
FORTY
Hollie
Crumpled into a fetal position against Jesse’s wall, I couldn’t lift my head when he called out to me.
It felt like someone placed a cinderblock on my chest. My breaths came shallow and labored, pain shooting through my ribcage with every attempt to fill it. My vision tunneled, the edges fading into darkness. Each heartbeat came like a distinct thump in my body—too slow, too heavy, too painful.
Was I having a heart attack? A shaking hand clutched at my chest.
A soft hand slipped around my back, and a distant voice whispered, “You’re not alone. I’m right here.”
Jesse.
“Breathe with me, okay?”
A slow, audible inhale near my ear cued me. I followed him, whimpering when a deep stabbing pain hit my chest.
“Good. Now another one.”
We inhaled and slowly exhaled together. When I gripped my side,his hand moved there, putting gentle pressure on the place where muscles tangled beneath my skin. “Atta girl. One more time.”
I didn’t know how long he coached me, but my awareness faded back into my control, one shade of light at a time.
“Can I touch you?” He whispered.
When I nodded, his strong hands slipped around my waist, tugging me close until he cradled me against his chest. His fingers sunk into my hair. “Another nice long breath. You’re doing great.”
My inhale was stronger now, more assured.
Eventually, his words of encouragement tapered off, and he just held me, his fingers twisting my curls around his finger. Taking stock of my surroundings, I realized he had pulled me sideways into the V of his legs and my knees were popped over one of his thighs. I snuggled against him, relishing in the way he softened further, absorbing my weight and willingness.
I also saw the blood.
On my shirt and hands, still oozing and congealing in several places.
I’d destroyed my fingers without ever realizing it.
Jesse whispered into my hair. “Can you hear me, Hollie?”
My voice croaked. “Yeah. I’m okay now. Where are the kids?”
“The table. They’re coloring.”
“Thank you.”
“I take it that conversation didn’t go well.”
I swallowed, still feeling the way fear balled in my throat. “No, it didn’t.”
