CHAPTER 6
Norah
I wake up to an empty bed. I could have sworn I felt Rake crawl into bed, and at one point in the night I thought I felt his arm wrap around me. That’s when solid sleep embraced me.
Now memories of Nana taunt me. Nana was everything. I could always tell her anything and she’d teach me how to fix it or deal with it. I spent almost every weekend with her growing up. From Friday after school till Monday when she dropped me off at school again.
Mom was too busy trying to find a new boyfriend or husband to pay me much attention. During the week she’d feed me and send me to my room.
Nana read to me and on my fourth birthday she gave me three beginner reading books and taught me to read. We’d go to the library or book store together every week. And we talk about what we learned.
She talked to me as an adult and answered every question honestly. As my body changed, she was the one to teach me about the feelings, hormonal imbalance, and men. Because of her openness and honesty, I was able to explain to friends whose parents wouldn’t talk to them about it. One of my friends wasjust handed a book to read. She was terrified. I was able to help her.
Our time together was spent talking about kindness and honesty. How to handle difficult people. How not to let someone else’s opinion hurt me. How important it was to help others.
I heard her arguments with Mom about the revolving men coming through our apartment. Then Mom married Faron Pyles when I was ten. That was already a tough year because my moods and body were changing. When they first married, I heard him tell Mom to keep the fat brat away from him.
Once I hit my growth spurt and grew taller with boobs, he started being too friendly and touchy. Nana paid for an all-girls school, where I’d stay Monday through Friday and then spend the weekends with her. By the time I was sixteen I was at my full height and weight and had learned to fight my own battles. It was then Nana moved full time to the cabin. I still spent almost every weekend with her. Until college.
Mom was drinking more and Faron just seemed angry all the time. I stopped talking to either of them until a few months ago when Mom reached out all nicey-nice and wanted to mother me. What a joke.
Before college started this semester, Mom cleaned out them college savings account that I’d been saving into since I was a kid. Foolish me, I’d kept the same account she helped me set up for my babysitting money. I never thought to take her off the account when I turned eighteen and started working and really putting money away for college.
I begged her to give the money back. She refused. I was screwed with no money for tuition this semester.
I suspected Nana didn’t have a lot of money and I refused to ask or take her help. She’d worked her whole life. Papa died when I was little and she kept the small house they owned in town until she sold it to move to the cabin. There was alwaysmoney for the important things. But she believed hard work taught us the value of money and appreciation for the simple things. I was not going to take her savings. I decided to work a year then go to school for a year, alternating from year to year until I was done. Me moving in with her was the plan to help me get ahead.
The fights with my mother started when Nana learned that she’s stolen from me. Now Nana’s gone, the cabin is breaking apart, and my car has a flat tire.
“Nana, please don’t leave me. I’m afraid.”
“Don’t be afraid, Norah. I’m here. I’ve got you. I’ll protect you.”
Did I say that out loud? I roll into Rake’s side. “I was warm, but you left and I got cold.”
“The fire burned down and I had to add wood. Temps dropped a little overnight. Go back to sleep. It’s still early.”
“Will you hold me, please?”
CHAPTER 7
Rake (Silo)
I hesitate. I don’t deserve a woman like this.
Bram scowls at me. Stop holding back, you big lug. You deserve to be held. To be wanted. To be loved. You are what is holding you back from receiving all of those. Let it go, Rake. Just once and you’ll learn you are lovable. Just be the you I know and love.
“It’s okay,” she says shifting away at my silence.
“No, don’t go. I—I just don’t want you to be afraid. I won’t hurt you. I’ll never hurt you, Norah.”
She cups my face. “I know, Rake. I trust you.”
“Roll to your side and I’ll cuddle up behind you so I can wrap the blanket and an arm over you.”
Once we’re snuggled together, she sighs and whispers “Yes. Now I’m safe.”
She’s sound asleep in moments and I lay there holding her, falling in love.
