As she tugged the key from the ignition, she peered up at the courthouse and wondered how she’d get through this day. She’d waited a long time for this moment, and now that it was here, she felt more nervous than anything.
She pivoted in her seat in time to see Clay’s eyebrows arched in surprise. She’d almost forgotten what they were talking about.
“It might not have been your mother’s fault that you were assaulted or that you overdosed, but she could have been a support for you in the aftermath.” Clay frowned. “She abdicated her job as a parent, handing it over to her son. It must have been tough for you, not having your mom around?—”
“No tougher than it is for Mia. At least I had my brother to step in to guide me—” She cut herself off, realizing she was lashing out at him unfairly, her nerves getting the best of her. “Sorry to bring that up again.” She shook her head. “I’m just nervous, I think.”
“I shouldn’t have pressed it.” His jaw was tight. Tense.
“Maybe it’s best if we table that conversation for now.” She had enough to deal with today. Her eyes followed the progress of a camera crew through the parking area toward the county building, a well-coiffed reporter leading the way. Anxiety spiked, squeezing until her ribs felt brittle. “I mean, you may have a point, but I need to get my head on straight before I walk in there.”
Clay turned to peer out the windshield in the direction of the entrance. Even from his profile, she could see his expression grow grim.
“Of course.” With a clipped nod he shifted toward her and took her hand in his. “I lost sight of what today was about. Is there anything I can do for you to make this easier?”
She appreciated the way he focused all his attention on her, his dark eyes empathetic. She locked on his gaze, taking comfort in knowing he was there for her. With her. Maybe it was strange that she felt the old connection tohim renew itself so quickly. But holding his hand made the years they’d been apart disappear. Made all the unsettling nightmares fade in significance. It was just her and Clay. The guy who’d always had a way of making her feel special.
Important.
“Keep holding my hand.” The words leaped out before she had a chance to measure them, a true wish from her heart. She blinked at the realization of how much she craved that connection with him. Her cheeks warmed. “And if you could lead the way in there, maybe, and find us some seats, I’d be grateful just to follow you.”
Her heart beat faster. A combination of nerves and ill-timed attraction. Or, hell, maybe it was well-timed. She didn’t know anymore. But she was so glad that Clay was with her today. Her brother would be glued to Heather Finley’s side. Sam had Amy Finley in his life. If Clay hadn’t been sitting with her right now, would Gabriella turn her car around?
She was glad she wouldn’t be finding out.
“I’m here for you, Gabriella. Once we’re out of this car, I’m not letting go.” Clay took her hand in both of his, surrounding it like a treasure. Raising it to his lips, he brushed a kiss along her knuckles. “You’re going to be glad to see Covington in front of the judge, being held accountable for everything he’s done to hurt people.”
The warmth of his lips tingled against her skin, the memory of that tenderness giving her courage. Swallowing hard, she nodded, focusing on the brick, Federal-style building with imposing white columns.
“I know you’re right.” She took strength from him. “It’s just that he’s been this demon in my head for so long.”
Clayton leaned closer, lifting his chin to kiss herforehead. This time his lips lingered on her skin. She closed her eyes to savor the moment. The kiss.
“You can do this,” he told her as he leaned back. “Are we ready?” He lifted one hand to caress her cheek, his callused thumb landing on her chin.
A loaded question. Was she ready to face her attacker? Not really. But with Clayton’s hand clasping hers, reminding her that she could still find joy and comfort in a man’s touch, Gabriella was willing to try. She’d come to Heartache to heal. To put the ghosts of her past to rest for good.
Only then could she move forward. And she couldn’t imagine anything inspiring her to look ahead more than the lure of Clayton Travers. She took a deep breath.
“Let’s go.”
Chapter Seven
Skipping school theday after you kneed a classmate in the balls was the only possible option, Mia told herself as she drove her father’s old junker of a car right past the entrance of Crestwood High.
It was either sit in class while rumors flew, her classmates snickered and boys used the attention as an excuse to harass her, or take the teen version of a personal day. As Mia stared at the yellow buses in her rearview mirror, pouring out kids who made up stories about her supposedly adventurous sex life to entertain themselves, she didn’t feel the least bit guilty about her ditching school.
Well, maybe a little guilty.
She hadn’t asked Pete’s permission to use the car. He’d been sleeping peacefully—definitely still breathing—when she’d left the house and she hadn’t wanted to disturb him. He’d let her take the old-as-dirt sedan a few times before to do errands for him after school, and she told herself he sure wouldn’t need it now. His new monitors and gizmos around the bed weren’t life support or anything—just equipment that made it easier for the home health aides to track hisvitals or hook him up to extra oxygen. But he didn’t get out of the house too often anymore.
Still… Pete had been reasonably good to her. It bugged her to think she might be taking advantage of him.
Turning toward the heart of town, Mia tried to think where she could spend the day until it was time to meet Ellie for dinner. Mia could always call her friend to let her know she had driven to school and could meet her at the Peachtree. She couldn’t remember the last time she’d been in a real restaurant. Davis had taken her to a movie the night before and even sprang for the popcorn despite her polite refusals since she could contribute exactly nada to the date expenses.
Davis.
Uneasily she wondered how he felt today. If he’d thought of her at all this morning or would notice she wasn’t in school. No doubt he’d be relieved.
