“He’s never getting his hands on you again.”
“D-don’t promise me that, Branna, not that, because I don’t think he’ll let me go.”
“And neither will I.” Branna sniffed loudly, and then helped her into the shower.
“We won’t talk about it anymore tonight. Tomorrow is soon enough.”
She stood there and waited for Macy to finish her shower, and what emerged was a woman she had never seen before. Without makeup, Macy was completely different, even with the bruises. She was so small. Branna had always thought of this woman as strong and larger than life, but she wasn’t. In fact, she was tiny, and her features were delicate.
She helped to pat her dry gently and then lowered a loose T-shirt over her head.
“Come on, let’s get you into bed before you fall over and I have to pick you up.”
Branna pulled the covers back and Macy slipped beneath.
“Branna?”
“Yes.”
“W-would you stay with me for a while?”
“Of course.” Knowing the pride this woman had and how much those words had cost her, Branna climbed on the bed beside her and took one of her hands.
“Tell me about your book.”
So she did, explaining the plot and telling her about scenes she’d created. She talked and talked until finally the fingers inside hers relaxed and Macy slept. Pulling the covers up to her chin, Branna looked down at the bruised and battered woman.
You will not touch her again, Brian Reynolds.It was a vow, and she would do whatever needed to be done to ensure she kept it.
Branna left the room, leaving the door ajar slightly; she washed in the bathroom, cleaned her teeth, and changed into one of the old T-shirts she slept in. After pulling on her robe, she made her way downstairs to the couch.
“She sleeps?”
He was sitting in the chair, the cups and things now put away, blankets and pillows neatly folded on the sofa.
“Yes.”
“You called me ‘dad’ tonight.”
“Did I?” Branna went to the sofa and unfolded the blankets.
“That was my shirt.”
“Was it?” Branna was too tired to deny it.
“I’ll sleep there, Branna. You take the other bed.”
“I’m all right here.” She went to lie down, but his hands stopped her.
“If you think I will leave you down here alone, with her husband out there somewhere looking for her and with what has already happened to you, then think again, daughter.”
“I don’t need you protecting me.”
“Now, that’s just too bad, because I will.”
Branna felt the anger inside her slip away to be replaced by a weariness that made her slump onto the sofa. It was all too much for a girl who, until recently, would have walked miles over hot coals to avoid any emotional entanglements. All these people dragging emotion from the block of ice that was usually her heart was getting to be more than she could handle.
“I can’t take much more of this.” Leaning back, she rested her head and closed her eyes.
