Chapter 7 #2
Putting down the water bottle, I plucked the necklace from his palm, squeezing the heart to discover it was solid but had a little give to it.
Lifting it to my mouth I gave it an experimental chew.
There was no taste, thankfully, and the strange texture was nice against my tongue and teeth.
With a smile, I put the black cord over my head and let it hang down over my sweater before I reached for a carrot stick to nibble on.
Eric moved back to sit on the couch while I tried to ignore him, instead focusing on the floating bubbles in one of the tubes as I continued to eat my dinner and sip at the water until it was all gone.
Setting down the now empty bottle, I winced when I realized I’d only managed to eat half of the food.
Such a waste. Although, Eric had said there were animals here who’d eat it.
I wondered what kind. Chickens probably.
Father had chickens. Four hens and one nasty big rooster.
One of the few times I was allowed out of my room was to go collect the eggs and feed them.
Those hens were one of the few things I miss from Father’s house.
With a yawn, I wriggled down and pulled the blanket back up around me. Tiredness pulled at me now I had a full belly, but no matter how I shifted, I couldn’t get comfortable. Not with Kimori missing.
Eric moving the tray from beside me had me stilling to look in his direction. After he set it down on the table beside the couch, he sat, leaning forward with his elbows on his knees as he looked at me.
“Normally, when someone first arrives at Rawhide for the first time, they meet with Derek, the owner, in his office. However, because you’ve had such a traumatic day today, and it’s getting late, we’ve put that off until the morning to let you get a good night’s sleep in first. Please don’t worry about the meeting, it’s nothing scary, I promise.
Derek likes to explain the history of the Ranch, and all the different things that happen here, not a single one anything close to what your idiot stepfather hoped we did.
I have no idea where he got his information from, or if he simply made up garbage to scare you, but I assure you, nothing he said was based on facts. ”
Frowning, I started to raise my thumb to my mouth, then remembering the necklace, gripped it and nibbled on the bottom point of the heart while I pondered the idea of being able to choose what I did while here.
I had no clue what the options were yet, but that didn’t matter.
I hadn’t been able to make any decisions for myself since leaving Pieces to Peace, I certainly didn’t get much say in what happened before going there.
Even while at Pieces to Peace, I hadn’t really had much choice in anything.
But Eric made it sound like Derek was going to treat me like an adult. Set out options and let me pick.
Excitement had me almost giddy, wanting to meet Derek now to find out what my choices would be. At least until another yawn hit and sucked out my remaining energy, leaving me tired and drained. A good night’s sleep sounded like heaven. Except for the part where Kimori was missing.
“I’ll take that yawn and the way you’re struggling to keep your eyes open as agreement to that plan. Derek has gotten a guest room all sorted for us for tonight, then tomorrow we’ll get you settled into a more permanent room.”
He stood and came over, sitting in the space the tray had been and facing me. The seriousness of his expression had me waking up and paying attention. Had something happened?
“Calla, the guest rooms here are set up with two bedrooms. We can’t leave you alone, not after the day you’ve had. I can organize for one of the ladies on staff to stay with you, in the other room of course, or if you’re more comfortable with me being the one to stay—”
He stopped speaking when I dropped the necklace and reached a hand to grip his wrist, giving it a light squeeze as I nodded.
I didn’t want to have to deal with meeting anyone else tonight.
Eric had been nothing but kind and caring, while also being careful to not push past any boundaries I might have.
And his touch held magic. There was also the fact Dr. Stringer had vouched for him.
With all of that, I was willing to risk trusting him to sleep in a room next to me.
Hopefully with him close, I’d be able to sleep despite not having Kimori.
Smiling, he slid his hand until his palm lined up with mine.
Those magic tingles danced up my arm while he intertwined our fingers.
Warmth spread through my whole body, heating me better than any blanket I’d ever used had.
He was so close I could smell his cologne again.
That citrusy scent with a touch of pepper that had surrounded me when he’d carried me earlier.
My cheeks grew even hotter as I stared at his lips, wondering how it would feel to kiss him.
I’d never done it before, never had any desire to but Eric was waking up all sorts of new sensations within me.
With a quiet chuckle, he leaned in, and I held my breath. All the happy thoughts vanished as fear took over. Had I made the wrong choice in trusting him? Was he about to smash through my boundaries, proving his previous kindness nothing more than a mask?
He whispered, “Such a sweet, precious girl. Thank you for your trust, Calla.”
He continued to lean closer to me, my breathing picked up and my thoughts spiraled with how I could escape him.
When he pressed a soft kiss to my temple as he rose to stand, my spiraling thoughts stilled.
His magic sent a wave of peace through my mind, followed by relief that I hadn’t misjudged him. At least, not yet.
“Let’s get you to the room so you can settle in and sleep. This late there shouldn’t be too many people out in the lobby, but if you prefer, I can grab you some noise canceling earmuffs to wear?”
Nodding, tears pricked my eyes, relieved I wouldn’t have to try to block out sounds myself.
Normally I’d have a horrible headache after a meltdown like the one I’d had today.
Eric’s magic had so far prevented one today, but I knew it wouldn’t take much to trigger one.
Loud noises and bright lights were best avoided.
I tightened my hold when he loosened his grip on my hand. With a gentle smile, he firmed up his grip on my hand.
“Okay, Calla. We’ll grab it on our way out. It’s in the cupboard near the door.”
He reached for my other hand, holding both to help me rise to stand. The blanket fell from my shoulders but before I could panic, he gave my hands a squeeze.
“Don’t worry, sweet girl. We can take it with us. I’m going to need you to let my hands go for just a few minutes, okay? I’ll get your earmuffs and the blanket sorted, then I’ll be back by your side, holding your hand before we leave the room, okay?”
Taking a deep breath, I nodded and let him slip his hands from mine.
Chills had goosebumps rising and I rubbed my palms up and down my arms while Eric quickly strode over to the cupboards again.
Scared he’d bolt out of the door to escape me now he’d realized how clingy I could be, I didn’t take my eyes off him.
Finding what he needed, he managed to hide them from me as he turned to face me.
With a big cheeky grin, he held his hand with the item behind his back as he returned to me.
Cocking my head to the side, I frowned. What was he up to?
“We only got in a few pairs of earmuffs and didn’t ask for any colors specifically. But they must have known you were coming this way because look what they sent.”
Moving his hand from behind him, my eyes widened when he revealed a pair of earmuffs that were utterly perfect. The outer hard shell parts were all metallic purple, while the rest was black.
“Thought you might approve. Between the purple sweater and shoelaces, I figured you liked the color.”
That answered how he knew what my favorite color was. Taking them from Eric, I put them over my ears and instantly had total silence. Not that it wasn’t already quiet in here.
Eric reached around me and picked up the blanket, folding it quickly and neatly before holding it against his chest with one arm, while he held his other hand out to me. Smiling, I slipped my palm against his, loving how I instantly felt more grounded at the contact as he led me from the room.