Chapter 12
12
T he crick in Clara’s neck snuck into her awareness before she even opened her eyes, followed by the throbbing pain in her throat and mouth. Flashes of the night before invaded the blackness of oblivion that only came with deep sleep.
She struggled to keep the dark cloak around her, but the aches combined with a tiny kick to her ribs opened her eyes. She blinked against the assault of sunlight and grabbed Davey’s foot to keep from getting in another sleepy attack. Avery slept still on the other side of the sofa, her thumb in her mouth.
Straightening, she oriented herself to her surroundings as the events of the previous evening trickled back. With every available sheriff’s deputy and Pine Valley police officer searching for Mitch, she’d opted to stay at the shelter one more night.
But not in her room.
No, she couldn’t go back to the space Mitch had lain in wait.
She’d stayed in the library where her babies had slept peacefully. Mrs. Collins had stayed with her, both sipping coffee late into the night, anxiously waiting to hear of Mitch’s capture.
They’d drifted off before any good news was delivered.
Her neck screamed as she circled her head to loosen the muscles that cramped up after a long, restless night, and her gaze landed on Heath.
He sat in the armchair across the room, a steaming mug cradled in his palms. His hair was mussed, and wrinkles marred his olive green uniform. His dark beard was more disheveled than normal, but his brown eyes remained alert and fixed on her.
Running her hand through her hair, she struggled to break the tangles then nearly laughed at her attempt. No amount of finger combing would erase the marks on her face. Her looks shouldn’t matter at a time like this, even if every fiber of her being wanted Heath to see past the bruises and cuts. Wanted him to see her as a woman.
An attractive woman.
Heat slammed against her cheeks, and she cleared her throat to force her thoughts back on what was most important. Not some whimsical nonsense regarding a kind man who was just doing his job.
“Did you find Mitch?” she asked.
His face hardened, and he shook his head. “Not yet. We looked all night, and the search is ongoing. We won’t stop until he’s found.”
She might believe he wouldn’t stop looking, but that didn’t mean she had faith Mitch would be stopped.
Frowning, she considered his words. “You worked all day then stayed out all night? What time did you get back here?”
“A couple hours ago. The officer stationed outside the shelter had to leave. I didn’t want you unprotected.”
“So you haven’t slept?”
He shook his head and hoisted the mug in the air. “Running on adrenaline and caffeine. Though both are about gone.”
She smiled then winced and pressed her fingertips to her split lip.
Heath set his coffee on the little stand beside the chair and leaned forward, resting his forearms on his knees. “I agreed with what you said last night about staying here. Mrs. Collins and the rest of the volunteers are equipped to deal with a lot of things, but that doesn’t mean they should have to. Add to that Mitch’s desperation, and I think it’s best for you and the kids to stay somewhere else.”
A tightness in her chest had her running the heel of her palm over her heart. He was right, hell, she’d known it was true the moment the words had left her mouth the night before, but that didn’t make leaving the shelter any easier. She had no family, her home wasn’t safe, and she didn’t have enough money to stay anywhere for more than a night or two. Her options were limited, and stepping away from the one place that had brought her a sense of peace and safety would be like a dying man walking away from salvation.
“I’ll figure something out,” she said. “Hell, I’ll borrow a tent and take the kids camping for a while if that’s what it takes.”
“Although I’m sure the kids would love that, why don’t we save that for a fun weekend sometime instead of a scenario ripped from an 80s horror film?”
She snorted out a laugh at the ridiculousness of her thought. “Okay, so hiding alone in the middle of the woods might not be the best idea but I don’t have many other options.”
“First off, you won’t be alone. Not if you don’t want to be.” He rubbed his palms together as he stared at her, the deep ravines across his forehead broadcasting his concern.
Tingles of awareness tap danced up her spine. “I won’t?”
The side of his mouth lifted, making her stomach dip. “I already told you, I’m here with you.”
As much as she wanted that, craved his nearness, she couldn’t ask him to babysit her and her kids. Besides, he had a job to do. “As much as I appreciate that, and I know you mean it, you can’t be with me every second of every day until Mitch is caught.”
“Says who?”
“Well, the sheriff for one.”
He shrugged. “I’ve got plenty of vacation time built up. The department can spare me for a few days until things are sorted. Heck, maybe we can even find time to squeeze in some camping.”
Not even the pain in her lip could smother her smile. “I couldn’t ask you to do that.”
“You didn’t. I offered. Besides, it’d make me feel better to know you’re not alone. The only problem is that Mitch knows where I live. He knows we’ve spent some time together. He might look for you there.”
Her smile dropped. “Then where do we go?”
“I want to take you all to my mom’s house.”
Nothing he could have said would have shocked her more. “Excuse me?”
He wrinkled his nose. “I know it sounds weird. She lives in Water’s Edge, but Mitch won’t know that. Her home is big enough to hold all of us, and she’ll love the company.”
She snorted. “She’ll love a troubled woman and her two small children invading her home? I highly doubt she’d want that.”
Something changed in his expression, a pained look that came and left so quickly she might have imagined it. He lifted his gaze to look slightly above her head, the wheels spinning in his brain clear as day, before finally focusing on her again. “My mom would love nothing more than helping you and your children because she’s been in your shoes before.”
Okay. So, she’d been wrong. He did have more shocking things to share. “What?”
“My mom and I moved to Water’s Edge when I was about Davey’s age. My father abused her for years, and after he set his sights on me, she took off. Left everything and everyone behind to start over. It took the kindness of more than one stranger to help her get on her feet. She’s never forgotten that. She wants to do the same for you, Davey, and Avery.”
Unshed tears clogged her throat. So many women shared her story. And even when the bruises vanished and the memoires faded, survivors stood together. “Are you sure? I don’t want to impose. And I’d hate to think my presence could put a target on your mother.”
“You’re never an imposition, and the only person wearing a target right now is Mitch.”
Clara wanted to believe him, but one thing he said was far from the truth. Mitch wasn’t the only one with a target. She had a giant bullseye on her back.
* * *
With Clara’s bags in hand, Heath led her and the kids up the sidewalk to his mother’s house. Her cozy ranch in the center of town might not seem the best place to hide a woman and her family, but it was the best he could come up with.
Luckily, he had the support of the sheriff’s department. The sheriff had granted his request for a few days off work. He needed all of his available deputies searching for Mitch, and this arrangement would put everyone more at ease regarding Clara’s safety.
When he reached the little, square stoop, Clara rested a hand on his shoulder.
He glanced behind him and her wide, green eyes sucked the air from his lungs.
“Are you sure your mom’s okay with all this?”
“Absolutely. Besides, she’s not the only one here excited for visitors.” He used his key to open the door, and was greeted by the sight of his mom, Mila, and Jimmy sitting in the living room. He hurried inside, allowing space for Clara to carry Avery over the threshold while Davey clung to her leg.
“Davey! Avery!” Jimmy shouted and jumped off the sofa. He greeted Davey with a hug then grinned up at Avery. “We can play pirates again today.”
Avery wiggled down Clara like a worm and threw her arms around Jimmy.
“We weren’t expecting you, Jimmy,” Clara said. “What a great surprise.”
Mila smiled. “I was here when Heath called his mama. When we realized the connection, Heath figured the kids would love seeing a familiar face.”
“That’s my boy. Always thinking about how to make others more comfortable.” His mom leaned on her cane to climb to her feet, her smile wide and welcoming. “You must be Clara. I’m so happy you’re here.”
Heath crossed the room to give his mom a kiss on the cheek. “Clara, this is Sally. My mother.”
Clara dipped her chin then rested a hand on top of Davey’s head. “I can’t tell you how much I appreciate you opening your home to us. This is my son, Davey. And my daughter is Avery. We’ll try to stay out of your hair.”
Sally wrinkled her nose. “Nonsense. I wouldn’t have washed this gray mop of mine if I didn’t want y’all in it. I’m excited to have some young blood in the house. Mila here doesn’t bring Jimmy around often, but I love it when she does.”
Jimmy grinned. “I love it too, Ms. Sally. You have the best stories.”
Heath rolled his eyes. Giving his mom a captive audience meant she’d never stop talking. But the look of admiration on Clara’s face told him he’d made the right move. Not only would she and the kids be safe, but they’d also be entertained which would keep Clara’s mind off Mitch as much as possible.
Avery broke away from Jimmy and toddled in front of the Christmas tree in the corner of the room. The lights blinked multiple colors, sending a cascade of rainbows through the shadowed room. “Pretty.”
Sally twisted her lips. “It doesn’t have the same punch it usually does. I haven’t been feeling too great and didn’t want to put much work in. Stringing lights was all we got done.”
Davey took a step forward, his big eyes glued to the tree. “We don’t have one. My daddy didn’t like them. Mama made one out of paper last year. Avery and me kept it in our room and glued decorations on it. This is so much better.”
The confession hit Heath like a sucker punch in the gut. He hadn’t paid much attention to the lack of festive decorations in Clara’s home. His focus had been on uncovering what Mitch might have taken.
Sally met his eye, and the determination etched in the tight lines of her face yelled her intention. Leaning on her cane, she crossed the room and rested a hand on Davey’s shoulder. “Do you want to make it even prettier?”
Davey and Avery spun around to stare up at her and shouted in unison, “Yeah!”
“Maybe you want to ask their mother before you put them to work,” Heath said, chuckling. He knew it wouldn’t matter. Once his mom had an idea, not much could change her mind.
Clara threw her palms in the air. “If you want to put them to work, I’m all for it. Busy hands keep them out of trouble.”
“Truer words have never been spoken,” Sally said. “Heath, dear, you know what to do.”
Mila laughed. “You heard her. We both know she won’t take no for an answer. Need a hand?”
“Nah, I got it.” He spared a quick look at Clara. “I’ll take your bags into the guest room first. Do you want to see it?”
Hesitancy pinched her brow.
Mila tilted her head toward the hallway in a go-ahead motion. “Go on. The kids are fine.”
Heath led her down the hall then stopped at the closed door. He pushed it open, waiting for her to enter before setting her bag on the ground.
She stepped further into the room and ran a finger along the navy-blue comforter before facing him, her mouth hooked up at one side. “Is this your old room?”
“Yeah,” he said, leaning against the doorjamb. “Mom kept most of it the same. The drawers in the dresser are empty so feel free to put anything you want inside of them. The room across the hall has a twin bed and enough space to set up the portable crib for Avery. But I’m sure y’all will fit in here if you want them close. The bathroom is right next door.”
“What about you?”
“What do you mean?”
“Where will you sleep? I mean, you’re staying, right?” She dropped her voice to whisper, as if afraid to speak the question out loud.
“Yeah, I’m staying. I’ll crash on the couch.” Knowing she was sleeping in his old bed would steal any sleep he might get. Might as well stand guard in the living room while everyone else rested.
“You should sleep now. You look exhausted.”
He hated to admit it, but he was. He hadn’t slept at all the night before, and he was badly in need of a shower. He winced. He’d moved Clara and the kids out of the shelter quick and hadn’t taken time to stop by his place for his things.
“What’s wrong?” she asked, taking a step toward him.
In the small room, her presence nearly overwhelmed him. Heat built at his core, and he’d give anything to draw her closer and drown in her essence. But he stood tall, arms crossed over his chest, eyes fixed on her. “I forgot to stop by my place. I don’t have any clothes here.”
“Oh,” she said, her mouth forming the cutest little o. “You should go. Grab what you need. There’s a house full of fierce women to keep me safe. I’ll be fine. Besides, I have a feeling your mom could do some real damage with that cane.”
“You don’t know the half of it. But you sure you’ll be okay?”
She took another step closer and smoothed a palm over his chest. “You promise you’re coming back?”
He enclosed a hand over hers, dipping his chin to bring his face so close to hers it wouldn’t take much to kiss her. “Always.”