Something was wrong. He felt it to his bones.
He threw off the covers, grabbed his slacks from the chair beside the bed and pulled them on, then ran from the room. He pounded down the stairs and rushed into the dining room, hoping to find Brooke eating breakfast with her mom.
The room stood empty, amplifying his fears.
He found Susanne in the kitchen with Janie. “Where’s Brooke?”
Susanne set her coffee mug on the breakfast table with a thump. The hot brew sloshed over the edge onto the counter. Her eyes went wide, sweeping over his bare chest to his pantsbarely hanging on his hips. “I haven’t seen Brooke this morning. I thought she was upstairs with you.”
“I woke up alone.”
Janie wrung a dish towel in her hands. “Maybe she had a bad dream and needed some air. She probably walked down to the stables to see the horses.”
It could be true, but anytime she had a bad dream in the past, she turned to him. Why not this time? “I’ll call down to the stables and see if she’s there.”
Cody rushed to his study to make the call. Out of the corner of his eye, he noticed the truck Brooke liked to use when she was home wasn’t in the driveway and stopped short.
In his haste to find her, he hadn’t considered what Brooke would do if she was really upset. It hit him all at once. He knew where to find her. He ran up the stairs, taking them two at a time, and went straight to his bedroom to change and gather what he needed.
Ready to leave, he pounded down the stairs again.
Susanne waited at the bottom.
“I know where she went. I’ll bring her back. Don’t worry, everything will be fine.”
Susanne nodded, completely trusting in Cody. “Go get her.”
Cody ran out the front door. He had everything he needed, except Brooke. He refused to let her sink back into depression and live in the dark world that sucked her away from him. He’d find a way to pull her back to him again. He’d done it before. He’d keep doing it until she found a way to live in the light and enjoy her life again. A life he wanted her to live with him.
The sleek sports car roared over the road. The comforting rumble of the engine helped settle his mood. The turnoff to the dirt road came into view, along with Brooke’s truck, parked just where he knew he’d find it. Skidding to a stop, he killed the engine and got out. He walked the trail through the tall grassand trees, winding his way down to the creek. He walked into the clearing and sighed out his relief. Brooke had brought a thick blanket and spread it on the bank by the rushing water. Lying on her side, facing the water, she slept soundly in her favorite spot. Soft hiccups punctuated her shallow breathing. She’d cried herself to sleep.
His heart clenched with sadness. She’d turned away from him, rejected him, deciding to be alone instead. Why?
He slid down onto the blanket beside her and pulled her against his chest. Holding her close, he listened to the water and her soft breath. She didn’t stir, but snuggled closer into his embrace. He had to admit, he liked her pretty spot. The hypnotic rhythm of the tinkling, gurgling water settled his nerves and steadied him. The quiet solitude became a part of him.
Maybe that’s what Brooke needed.
Still, he didn’t like waking up alone, not knowing where she’d gone.
The cadence of her breathing changed, alerting him she was finally awake. Brooke rubbed her hand over his on her belly and scooted closer to him.
“I woke up alone and you were just gone.” He held her close and buried his face in her hair. “Why?
Brooke reached back and slid her fingers over his head. “You missed me.”
“Always.” He kissed her neck. “But you scared me.”
She turned and looked back at him. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to do that.”
“Don’t do it again,” he grumbled.
“You haven’t had your coffee,” she teased.
He was always a bear in the morning until he got his caffeine fix. “No. I haven’t. I came after you.”
“You must really love me if you gave up your coffee just to come and find me when you already knew where I’d be.”
“How did you know I’d know where to find you?”
