Margo had warned her that was not usually the case.
"He developed a powerful crush on you. He's not suddenly going to switch it off. I'm worried about the silence. It's been too long."
But she wasn't. And for her peace of mind, Kiara decided to take the win. All was well right now. Her mother had mellowed, right after the last argument where Kiara had told her that this was going to be the last time she puts up with her behavior.
"The doctor says no stress and I'm going to see to it that it remains that way. Even if it means cutting you out of my life."
Lifting her head, she sniffed the clean air and closed her eyes. Her babies had started moving. Rubbing her hand over the mound, she whispered to them, little things, describing the kind of world they would be coming to.
Telling them they were loved. She had endured a miserable childhood and was determined that her babies would be different. She would make sure to tell them frequently that she loved them, that they were worth something and they could be anything they want to be.
Ignoring the sharp pain of memory that sliced through her brain, she ruthlessly plucked it out and continued to murmur words of love and encouragement. A sound in the underbrush had her jolting and then laughing softly when she saw the squirrels scampering up the oak tree.
She breathed in, letting her senses fill with the earthy perfume of the woods, the gentle chorus of birds just beginning to stir. The calm of the moment almost made her forget the anxiety that sometimes crept in at the edges of her thoughts.
For now, surrounded by the hush of nature and the promise of a new day, she felt sheltered and strong, ready to face whatever came next.
The crunching of footsteps on the gravel had her turning around.
"I thought I would find you here."
Eric, looking rumpled, his hair standing up in tufts as if he had been spending time digging through the strands.
"Taking a walk."
She wrapped her arms around her, hugging her elbows.
"You're cold. Let me get you..."
"Stop!"
She held up her hand with a rueful laugh.
"I know Oscar gave you specific instructions about looking out for me, but you can take it too far and I don't want to hurt you."
He raised a skeptical brow as he eyed her petite frame compared to his bulk.
"I can find ways to do it."
She promised.
"I'm fine."
"Ready to go back in?"
Rolling her eyes, she resigned herself to ending her walk.
"I suppose. I'm hungry anyway. Shouldn't you be going to the club?"
"I'm sticking around for a bit. Do some paperwork."
Taking her hand, he slid it through his arm and fell into step beside her.
"Eric, I don't need a damn babysitter. Irene is here and she's as bad as Oscar. And I have no intention of leaving to go anywhere today."
Turning her to face him, he studied the exquisite face and felt a pang that he had not seen her first.
"Oscar is like a brother to me, and I made a promise to stick close. What I have to do can be done remotely. It's early and the club can operate without me for a bit. I..."
