He turned his attention back to his food. “Good.”
“Any idea what you’re going to do from here?” Troop asked before he sipped his coffee.
I reached for mine and took a long pull of its creamy goodness, giving myself time to think. For the past couple of weeks, I had done nothing but take things day by day. And each day that unfolded, I found myself succumbing to the life that had been thrust upon me without my permission. What had once been a life sentence had turned into a life changer, and I didn’t know much of anything any longer. Things that used to give me happiness no longer did, and things I used to hate brought me joy. And pleasure. And respect.
“Well,” I said as I set my coffee mug off to the side, “I can’t really go home. Home was Gordon’s place, and I sure as hell don’t want to go back there.”
Dutch settled his hand on my shoulder. “I’ll go back today and get the rest of your things.”
I smiled at him. “I’d really appreciate that… if that’s what I wanted you to do.”
“You don’t want your things?” he asked.
I shook my head. “It all feels dirty now, if that makes any sense.”
“Well,” Troop said as he shoveled food into his face, “then I guess we’ll just have to send you on some shopping sprees.”
I snickered. “Don’t tempt me. I’ll spend all of your money if you give me the chance.”
I swear on my life, I heard someone knocking somewhere, and my suspicions were confirmed when Range stood.
“Trust me, you couldn’t do that. We have too much of it,” he said mindlessly as he made his way back inside.
I furrowed my brow. “Wait, how much money do you guys really have?”
Troop barked with laughter. “Hell of a question, don’t you think?”
“Is it who I think it is at the door? Because if it is, we might want to put on clothes,” Dutch said.
“Wait, who’s at the door?” I asked.
Troop placed his food on his chair as he stood. “Good idea. Let’s go, Dutch.”
“Wait a second,” I said as I craned my neck over my shoulder. “seriously. Who’s at the door?”
Range appeared once more, only that time he had a shirt thrown over his torso. “We figured you might want to talk with someone who has advice for you.”
“And who’s that?”
“Naomi?”
My entire body froze. “Dad?”
“Oh, my God. Naomi!” he exclaimed as he rushed outside.
“Dad!?” I yelped as I shot up from my seat.
My food tumbled to the ground, but I didn’t care. I opened my arms for my father, and he raced into them, wrapping me up in the tightest hug I had ever received.
“Oh, Dad,” I choked out as I started crying against his shoulder.
“It’s okay. I’m here. I’m right here, baby,” he whispered.
“I missed you… so… so much,” I choked out.
He peppered kisses along my head. “I missed you, too. Are you okay? Did they hurt you? Are they feeding you regularly? Have they let you go? Can you come home?”
“Sh-sh-sh-sh,” I whispered as I picked my head up and gazed into his tired eyes. “I’m okay, Dad. I’m… I’m very okay.”
