She raised an eyebrow and pursed her lips.With a shock, I realized she was trying not to laugh.
“You used to quake when I said your full name,” I said with a sigh.
“Well, now,I’mthe one full-naming my kids.”She smiled.“And don’t worry, they quake for me.It’s all in the tone, and I learned from the best.”
I shook my head, but I smiled, too.This beautiful young woman.I was so proud of her.“It’s just a bathroom, Kate.I’ll be ten feet down the hall.”
“Last time I was out of shouting distance, you got hurt.”Her lip quivered.“I don’t like how that made me feel, Mama.”
“You and me both, Katie Rose.”
She hated that nickname but didn’t comment, which told me how worried she still was about me.I offered her a side hug because I needed the connection as much as she did.She plopped her head against mine and I snuggled her closer.
I was so very lucky to have my children nearby.
“Don’t worry.Don’t worry, Cam has installed more cameras, and he has made a list of people who are allowed on the property.I even saw a couple of his guys on ATVs patrolling the acreage.No one’s going to hurt me ever again, sweetheart.”
She hugged me tighter to her, her palm landing on my aching biceps.
I froze, refusing to grimace at the pain her sweet pats caused.This was why holding back on details mattered, but I didn’t want my girl to know what that lowlife snake Frank said…or did to me.Even now, more than a week after the event, as I’d taken to calling it because I hated all the other terms the kids used—they made me sound like a victim.I was not a victim.I’d taken care of Frank and I’d protected my family.That made me Super Woman.
So…it’d been a week and the bruised had faded, but the restless itch of fear fast, like a tidal wave.
I wasn’t Super Woman.I’d been lucky.I never wanted to need luck so badly again.The oily, ugly feeling in my belly rose as the helplessness chocked me.
Kate hugged me.“I’m glad you popped him one, Mama.”
“Never thought I’d need to hurt another person,” I said.“And, though I can’t remember, it was more like five times.”
“Yeah, well, he deserved it.I’ll never forget that image.It’s seared in my brain.You stood over him like a Valkyrie, eyes blazing.I never knew a lamp was such an excellent weapon.”
“It shouldn’t have to be.”
“You’re right.”Kate looked contrite.“It shouldn’t.And you should have been safe in your house, Mama.You never should have had to deal with this.Cam and I are so sorry?—”
“Not one lick of that.”I gave her one last squeeze and a pat on the upper arm for good measure.“I’m the one who agreed to meet Frank.You know what?I don’t want to say his name again.”
Kate grimaced.“I call him Scum Bag.”
I smiled.“Perfect name for that horrible man.Scum Bag it is.But I must tell you, darling, that…event ended it for me.I’m done.No more men, no more dates.”
I’d thought Steve would return after staying the night at the hospital with me.But he hadn’t.I’d been wrong about him, and I just couldn’t continue along that path.Clearly, romance wasn’t in the cards for me.
Kate’s melancholic expression spread to her eyes.“Can’t say that I blame you, but that doesn’t mean I like it.We want you happy, Mama.”
“Great.The way I’m going to be happy is scrubbing my toilet bowl.”
I tried to dart around her so I could get to the stairs.Kate, though, was nimble and stayed in front of me.
I threw up my hands and groaned.
“Did you ever read the note Steve left you?”Kate asked.
I shook my head.What was the point?It would be another,it’s me, not youmissive, and I just…couldn’t.I was the problem.I was unlovable as a woman.My kids loved me and I had strong relationships with all of them.Apparently, that was my limit.And I was going to be okay with that.
I was more than okay with that.Now, I just had to get used to being alone.That didn’t mean I had to be lonely.
“You should,” Kate said.
