Chapter 22
Twenty-Two
Charlie
Hearing Axel talk about how much he loved me and this baby and what he was willing to sacrifice for us left me feeling things I never thought I would feel.
When Jason and I got married, I thought I had found true love.
Little did I know that my love story would truly begin with a man I had no right to want who was hellbent on protecting me from my husband.
He seemed reluctant to leave my side after the nightmare I had last night, so I took a quick shower, put on my comfiest outfit, and went downstairs with him while he made breakfast. I sat up front at my favorite table, watching TV when Ashley and Lainy showed up for their shift.
The blinds were all open, letting the sunlight in, which was a welcome treat given this was the first day since I’d been in Nowhere where it hadn’t been snowing.
I had been feeling more restless than normal lately and couldn’t put my finger on why.
It was possible that it was because of how far I was in my pregnancy, and everything made me uncomfortable and restless right now.
Or it could be because I had left a big city and was stuck in a small town where there hadn’t been a single ray of sunshine in the weeks I had been there.
I got up and walked over to the window, looking outside as I felt the warmth of the sun against my face through the glass.
Maybe if it got warm enough today, I could go outside and get some fresh air.
I knew there was still plenty of ice buried under the fresh layer of snow, but I didn’t care.
I needed some sunshine and to feel like I wasn’t stuck in a bottle with no way out.
Soft music floated through the doors of the kitchen as Axel came out, carrying two plates of food with him. I turned and headed to the table as I felt his eyes on me.
“It looks like it’s going to be a nice day out,” I said as I sat down and took a deep breath, inhaling the delicious smell of the biscuits and gravy in front of me. “I was thinking about spending some time outside and enjoying some sunshine.”
“The forecast said it should be clear skies today,” Axel replied as he cut a piece of sausage with his fork. “If you’d like, we can head into town and do some shopping. I’m sure there are things you’d like to have for the baby that I missed.”
“Town?” I questioned as I took a bite.
“Timber Falls. It’s the next town over and much bigger than ours. It also has a nice hospital we can check out if you want to, just to see what it’s like.”
I pulled my head back in surprise and stared at him. Not only had he listened when I told him what was worrying me, but he was also ready to take action and eliminate as many of those fears as he could.
“I would really love that. Thank you.”
My heart swelled at the realization that this man truly would do anything for me.
“You don’t have to thank me. It will be nice to get some stuff taken care of and get out of town for a bit. The weather tends to be nicer in Timber Falls, so we can truly enjoy some fresh air and sunshine.”
I shook my head because it felt like he was in it. He somehow always seemed to know what I was thinking, and it was as if he realized how stir-crazy I had been.
**********************************
After breakfast, I grabbed my purse and waited for Axel to bring his truck around to the front of the bar, where he helped me in.
It was a newer truck with heated seats that felt marvelous on my sore body, but it also felt like the safest vehicle I had ever been in.
I knew I shouldn’t be jumping into things so quickly and letting my mind run free, but I also couldn’t help but picture what the future could look like for the three of us.
An hour and a half later, we had arrived on the outskirts of Timber Falls. Axel took the first exit, abandoning the highway that went through the town and heading to several larger cities. I leaned forward, taking in the town that was already far larger than I had expected.
It was nothing like Nowhere, or any of the other super small towns I had passed through before stopping in Nowhere.
Where most small towns were limited to a single main street and a handful of businesses, Timber Falls was packed with an abundance of stores, restaurants, and several parks.
Every street we drove down offered something different, sparking my curiosity about the treasures I might find here.
It was definitely smaller than some of the big cities I was used to, but it was nice having big-city vibes without the actual big-city traffic and people rushing about.
Axel pulled into the parking lot of a large retail shop that I loved, and I felt my cheeks split when I turned to look at him in disbelief.
No wonder they purposely kept Nowhere small and undesirable to stay there when people could literally drive a few hours and be in a town that had everything they needed.
We got out of the truck and headed inside the store, the fresh air and sunshine immediately improving my mood as we walked through the parking lot.
Axel grabbed a shopping cart, pushing it for me after I set my purse inside and headed straight to the baby section.
I had been wanting to shop for my baby girl for so long that it felt surreal to actually be doing it.
I knew Axel had covered most of what I needed with the diapers and baby wipes, but I wanted to take my time and go up and down every aisle.
I was worried that Axel would get bored and rush me, but he didn’t.
He just smiled and picked up as many things as I did, adding them to the cart in a pile of things that I wanted but didn’t need.
Two hours later, we finished going through the baby stuff, and I decided to take a break to look at everything I had picked out. I had shopped with the intention of coming back to my pile later and narrowing it down to the things I absolutely had to have.
The bench was uncomfortable, but it gave my feet a much-needed break since they were swollen and bothering me. I separated everything into two piles, surprised that I hadn’t grabbed as much as I thought I had.
“What are the two piles for?” Axel asked as I put one back into the cart and laid the other on my arm so I could return those items.
“I was separating what I wanted and what I decided to put back,” I said as I held onto the back of the bench and tried to pull myself up.
Axel reached out a hand and helped me, making sure I was stable on my feet before taking the pile on my arm. I started walking back to the baby department to put them back when I looked behind me and found him standing by the shopping cart, putting them with the other items I was keeping.
“What are you doing?” I asked, rubbing a hand over my belly as I walked back to him. “I was going to put those back.”
“I know.”
He swallowed hard as he looked at me nervously.
“I don’t want you to put them back,” he finally said, his eyes meeting mine.
“Why not?”
“Because I like them.”
My face softened as I looked at him, noticing his boyish charm that made my heart melt.
“I like them too, but I don’t need them. I have plenty between what you already bought and what I’m getting today.”
“Would it be that terrible if I bought them for you?”
“Axel,” I replied with a soft sigh. “You don’t need to keep buying me stuff. You should save your money for yourself and stuff you need.”
“I don’t need anything,” he rushed out. “I save more money than I know what to do with. Please let me buy them for you, Charlie.”
I was about to continue arguing that I didn’t need more clothes for the baby, but when he pressed his hands together in front of his face and begged, I couldn’t say no.
“Alright, but that’s it. You can’t keep spoiling her,” I teased as I pointed my finger at him.
“Deal.”
He snaked his arm around my waist and pulled me into his side before kissing my cheek.
We walked hand in hand through the rest of the store as if we did this all the time.
I tried not to let my heart get too used to this because deep down, I knew good things like this never worked out for people like me.
No matter how much Axel vowed to protect this baby and me, I knew we would always have a target on our backs thanks to Jason, and there was nothing I could do to protect him from that.