They needed to get out of this tunnel.
By the time they reached daylight, she was vibrating with fear.
He didn’t stop at the entrance to leave one of the lanterns there. He could take it back once Jess was better. Just now, he needed to get her to a safe place where he could comfort her, somewhere Jedidiah couldn’t follow.
Because Gil had no doubt the manhadfollowed them.
He could take her to the waterfall, but the man could still creep behind them and watch. Besides, she might need to lie down and rest. Her cave-home would be the best place, as long as her father wasn’t there.
He’d have to take that risk and change plans if McPharland appeared. She certainly didn’t need the stress of facing her father.
Jess had tucked herself into his side, and he held her close as they walked up the hill around the base of the mountain. She hadn’t spoken, but her trembling had turned so severe it almost felt like convulsions.
When they reached the apartment entrance, he nudged the curtain aside with his shoulder, glancing inside to see if McPharland was within. No sign of him.
Gil led Jess forward, and finally her trembling seemed to ease. A little. Should he take her straight to bed? Maybe. He needed to know why Jedidiah frightened her so much. What had the man done to her to create such intense fear?
A thought flashed through his mind that made his breath catch. Could he be the father…? No, surely not.God, don’t let that be what happened.
Jess reached for one of the chairs at the table. “Just let me sit. I’ll be fine.”
She probably needed to rest, but it might be best if she reached that conclusion herself. He helped her settle in the chair at the table, then pulled another around beside her.
She leaned against her seat back, her arms wrapped around her waist, eyes straight ahead. Her mind seemed held by the clutches of memory. What memory?
He brushed a loose wave of hair from her temple, and her eyes closed. He let his fingers linger there. His callused skin was coarse against her softness. “Jess.” He kept his voice as low and comforting as he could. “Can you tell me why Jedidiah scares you so much? Did he hurt you?”
He wanted to cup her cheek, but she needed comfort right now, not romantic touches.
So he slid his hand down her arm to wrap his fingers around hers. She met his gaze, and so many emotions swirled in her eyes that he could barely discern them.
Lingering fear certainly. And maybe a bit of desperation. She was trying to regain control of herself. The way her jaw tightened and her throat worked showed that.
“He’s cruel. He’s never done anything directly to me, but he’s threatened me. And I’ve seen him punish the others. And I’ve heard…far worse.” Her voice cracked on those last words.
Gil’s chest was still tight, but less now that she’d said that slimy man hadn’t done what he’d feared. Still, he had to be sure.
He gave her hand a squeeze. “Are you sure he’s never touched you? Never hurt you in any way?”
She shook her head, not looking away from him. But the sorrow filling her eyes turned the edges of them red. “Not me, but so many others.”
He could breathe again. Thank God.
But Jess’s distress grew, and he could keep her at arm’s length no longer.
He pulled her closer, and she came willingly, tucking her forehead into the crook of his neck and resting a hand over his heart.
He wrapped her tight as a sob slipped out.
His own heart threatened to crack from the pain she was feeling. How much had she seen? Had she been close to the people Jedidiah hurt?Lord, comfort her. Bring healing to replace her grief. Show me how to help her.
She only let herself cry a minute before pulling back and wiping her eyes with her sleeves. She likely needed to release a good many more tears than these, but at least she’d allowed a start.
She sniffed as she dried her cheeks again. “I’m sorry. I don’t usually break down like that.”
He offered a smile. “Don’t be sorry. I’m here any time you need to break down.”
She made an effort at matching his smile. Would she try to change the subject now? Pretend the tears hadn’t happened? She’d likely had a lot of experience covering up her pain.
