That doesn’t mean we didn’t see her from time to time.Sometimes, she followed Rebekah and then hid in the trees, watching.We knew it.She was probably jealous.My mother would send Rebekah home with a wrapped piece of banana bread or a sandwich for her sister.
It wasn’t that we thought Rebekah would actually take the food all the way home.We all knew she would deliver it as soon as she got to the tree line.The girls’ father forbade them from setting foot on our property, so they had to pretend they were simply playing in the woods.They certainly didn’t take food back to their house.
I stand and gently lift Hannah, setting her sideways on the ATV as close to the handlebars as possible.It’s not an ideal position, but with all the layers of skirts she’s wearing, it would be hard for her to straddle the seat, plus it might not be comfortable in her pregnant condition.
Keeping one hand on her thighs, I swing my leg over, start the engine, and wrap my arm around her.“I’ll go slow so you don’t get jostled too much, sunshine.”
She leans against me, giving me her whole weight.I suspect she’s a very proud person who can’t stand to ask for help, so it’s huge that she came here.She’s about to learn that she’s safe now.She’s home.
Home?
What am I thinking?
Of course she’s welcome to stay with us for as long as she wants or forever, but that doesn’t mean she will be staying withme.
Why am I picturing Hannah in my own cabin?I should take her to the main house or even to Adam’s.She could stay in his cabin.After all, he’s married to her sister.
Hannah doesn’t know that yet, though.There are a lot of things she doesn’t know.I don’t want to burden her with a ton of information.I just want to get her home.
I drive slowly, wincing at every bump.I’m not sure how far along she is, but I’m positive it would be best for pregnant womennotto ride on ATVs.We don’t have a better choice right now.She’s too exhausted to walk another step, and this is the only vehicle that could get down the path to where I found her.
Soon, I pull up in front of my cabin, turn off the engine, and fling my leg over the side.Next, I lift Hannah off the seat.The second I set her on her feet, she nearly falls, so I scoop her up and cradle her.“Let’s get you inside.”
She’s looking around.“How long have you been back on the mountain?You’ve done a lot of work.”
She’s right.We’ve been rebuilding for months.Each of us six brothers has our own cabin.They’re scattered around the main house, which we’re also working on.Five of the cabins are close enough to easily get to one another’s houses, but not so close that we can hear or see each other inside our homes.Asher has built his farther away.
“About eight months,” I tell her as I carry her inside.
She glances around the open-concept great room.“Wow.Do you all live in this house?”She must have been so focused on hanging on to the ATV that she didn’t notice the main house or any of the other cabins or outbuildings.
“No, sunshine.Just me.This is my cabin.Let me set you down, and I’ll call Adam and get him to bring Rebekah over.”I gently lower her to the couch.
She immediately stiffens and rises to her feet, spinning around to look at the sofa.
“What’s wrong?”
“I’m filthy.I don’t want to touch anything.”
I stroke her white-blond hair, even though I probably shouldn’t.She might be married.I have no right to take any liberties with her.“Don’t you worry about the couch, Hannah.It’s leather.If a little dirt gets on it, I’ll just wipe it off.Sit.”
I pull out my phone and text Adam.
I found Hannah wandering toward our homestead.She’s in my cabin.Can you bring Rebekah over?”
I don’t wait for a response.Adam will have his wife here in seconds.
Two
Aaric
Keeping a close eye on Hannah, I head for the fridge.Without asking what she wants, I grab a small bottle of apple juice and hurry back to her, twisting the cap off as I do so.
Her hand is trembling as she takes it from me.“Thank you.”She tips it back and drinks the entire thing.
Fuck, she’s parched.I return to the fridge and fill a glass of cold water.She probably needs food, but liquids are the most important thing right now.
By the time the water is gone, there’s an urgent knock at the door.I rush over to answer it, swinging it wide.
