“I’ll stand in the fucking middle of the hurricane, and I won’t let go,” he growled.
“Then be prepared. Debris will hit you. It might cut and make you bleed, but you must remain steady. She must discover herself before she can see you in the wind. Do you understand?”
“Yes,” he murmured.
“If she can’t forget, what will you do then?” she asked. “There’s a chance she’ll want to leave all of this behind her.”
Jameson let out a heavy sigh while he scratched the scruff along his jaw. “Then, I’ll have no choice but to let her go.”
CHAPTER SEVENTEEN
Caroline drove along the roads feeling free with the convertible top down. On her way into town, she saw the grocery store when she reached the stoplight. Her heart raced as she considered whether going inside alone might be a bad idea.
“Come on, ya ninny,” she chastised herself. “It won’t take more than twenty minutes to pick up some things.”
Pulling into the stall, she put the roof back up on the car and grabbed her purse. She locked the door and scanned the parking lot, searching for anyone who appeared suspicious.
Her heart pounded in her ears as she quickened her pace to enter the store, thinking of safety in numbers. People glanced her way as she grabbed a cart and went to the center of the store before she changed her mind. A man watched as she pursued the cookie aisle. When she found one of her old favorites, she placed it in her cart. Turning into the next aisle, she saw the man again, making her pause and turn down the next. She made it a quarter of the way down and stopped to add a can of peaches to her cart when the man appeared again. This time, he smiled at her. Her already overloaded nervous system told her to run. Notwanting to appear like a crazy woman, Caroline turned her cart and headed to the register. She swiped her card and ran to her car. She struggled to get the door unlocked with the newfangled key fob, making her anxiety rise. When she managed to get the door open, she shut herself inside and hunkered down in the seat until she felt safe enough to drive the rest of the way to her dad’s.
When she arrived, Nancy showed her to the pool house.
“I’ll have dinner ready in about forty-five minutes. Will you join us?” Nancy asked, setting the small bags from the store on the table.
“Of course. Only if you agree, I can cook tomorrow,” she bargained, taking her suitcase into the bedroom.
“You have a deal,” the older woman said. “Thomas nearly got up and danced a jig when you called. I can’t tell you what having you here has done for him.”
“I feel the same way,” she said, returning to the living room. “Do I have a separate entrance? A friend of mine will be arriving early in the morning, and I don’t want to bother you.”
“Yes. There’s a gate to the left of the suite. Your guests can enter there,” Nancy informed her, pointing out of the French doors.
“Perfect,” Caroline said, taking the bags to the small kitchen. “Can I help you with dinner?”
“Nope. I already put a casserole in the oven. Get unpacked and settled. If you finish, pop on over and visit with your father. I doubt he’ll rest at all with all this excitement. Don’t be surprised when he goes to bed early,” Nancy explained, heading toward the door.
“I hope I didn’t mess with his schedule too much,” she said, worried. “He seems tired already.”
Nancy chuckled. “It’s our age. Our hearts and minds feel like we’re in our twenties, but the rest of our body feels our true age.”
“I’ll see you in a few minutes,” Caroline said as Nancy opened the door and left her to unpack. Taking out her phone, she sat on the couch and texted Rebecca.
Hey. It’s Caroline. My father invited me to stay with him. The counselor agreed to do virtual meetings until I find a therapist here. I cleaned the cabin, and it’s ready for the next survivor. Thank you for everything.
Rebecca texted
Why didn’t you stop by or call us? You’ll come for dinner and visit with us, right?”
Yes. I’m not far away. We can always do lunch. I felt like I needed to make a clean break. I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to seem rude or ungrateful. I’m thankful for everything. If it’s all right with you, I’ll bring my dad out to see your wonderful program. He’ll feel better knowing all of you helped me.
Did you tell Jameson?
Caroline’s finger hovered over the phone.
I plan on telling him next.
Keep in touch. We’re here for you day or night. Rebecca assured her.
Thank you. I will.
