Chapter Seven
Alice
C otton fields pass by on a blur as we drive into town. I gaze out the side window, my thoughts wandering to all that has transpired the last few days.
Braxten has taken very good care of me, just like he promised he would.
Between keeping me well fed and rested, to having Hannah J.
stop by with more storybooks for me to read, I’ve been able to do nothing else but allow my body to heal.
It wasn’t until this morning that I felt well enough to leave the farm.
After the talk I had with Braxten on his front porch, I realized that I was right all along. He and his family are good people. Even Knox, despite the fact that he doesn’t seem to like me very much.
Everything Linda said was somewhat true, but it was also misunderstood. All the boys have had a hard past, but it shaped them to be who they are today. Intense and on guard, but also fiercely loyal, especially to one another.
My heart still hurts to think about what they went through and what was done to Thatcher. I’m glad in the end they found one another and if I’m being really honest, I’m glad Braxten found me.
It’s hard going to bed at night not knowing who you are. To wonder if anyone out there cares about you. But that night I went to sleep knowing one thing, that in this life where there are so many uncertainties, one remains: Braxten cares and I do have him.
At least for now.
“You’re far away this morning, Alice. Lost in Wonderland?” The deep, amused voice elicits warm shivers across my skin and pulls my attention to the very man my thoughts are consumed with.
I love the reference he uses, even going as far as calling me Wonderland. It’s more than fitting because since waking up I do feel like I’ve fallen down the rabbit hole. Lost in a wonderland that brought me here to this man.
“Everything okay?” he asks.
I flash him a reassuring smile. “Yes, everything is fine.” Resting my head back on the seat, my eyes never leave his handsome face. “So, where are you taking me anyway?”
“To one of the boutiques in town. Gwen’s friend owns it. She called to let her know we’d be coming in.”
“Maybe we should check the shelter first,” I suggest carefully, still hating for him to spend any kind of money on me after everything he has already done. “The social worker said they had donations I could look through.”
“That’s not necessary. Leave it for the people who need it.”
My brows bunch in confusion. “Aren’t I one of those people?”
“No. That’s for people who don’t have anyone. You have me. So you don’t need them.”
My heart swells at his generous words, but it’s not enough to douse the guilt taking up residence in my chest. “I really don’t like taking money from you, Braxten. You’ve already done so much for me.”
“We aren’t going to talk about this, Alice. I said I was going to take care of you and I meant it. I have the money. You need the clothes. We’re leaving it at that.”
My eyes narrow, his sharp tone and bossy attitude striking a chord.
It doesn’t go unnoticed, his hard mouth kicking up in a sexy smirk. “I like that fire in your eyes, Wonderland. Looks good on you, but it doesn’t change a damn thing. You don’t want to start an argument with me. You won’t win.”
I quirk a brow, feeling more than annoyed by that statement. “Is that so?”
“Yeah and trust me, I always get what I want.” His voice drops an octave, the deep baritone traveling through every cell of my body.
I quickly turn my face away before he can see the heat creeping into my cheeks. By the low chuckle that leaves him, I wasn’t successful.
Thankfully, it’s only minutes later when we pull up to the boutique. I need to be out of this confined space with him. As soothing and comforting as his presence can be, it can also be overwhelming, especially for my emotions.
Unfortunately, my reprieve is short lived because Braxten walks over to help me down, his hands gently spanning my waist, burning my skin through the dress I borrowed from Ryanne again this morning.
“Thank you,” I mumble, avoiding eye contact as he places me on my feet.
“You’re welcome. Now let’s go buy you some clothes.” I’m taken by surprise when he grasps my hand in his, as if it’s completely natural for him to do. In some weird way it does feel right. Like we’ve been doing it our whole lives.
There are a few people out and about, walking the sidewalk of the strip mall. I don’t miss their blatant stares or curious looks. Braxten either doesn’t notice or chooses to ignore them.
Their prying eyes fade once we enter the boutique.
A bell jingles over the door, announcing our arrival.
The place is quiet and empty, not a person in sight until an older woman steps out from around the corner.
Her dark hair is perfectly in place, makeup flawless, and black dress tailored as if it was made just for her. Everything about her screams class.
“Braxten. I’ve been expecting you.” She offers him a smile and a handshake. “And you must be Alice,” she adds, extending her hand to me next.
I nod, returning her gesture.
“I’m Joanna. Gwen told me you are in need of some clothes.”
“Yes, please. Just an outfit or two will be fine.”
“Actually, an entire wardrobe,” Braxten cuts in. “Money isn’t an issue.”
I glare up at him, our gazes locking in a silent argument.
The woman is polite enough not to call attention to it.
“Well, you’ve come to the right place. What exactly are you looking for?
More dresses?” she asks, eyeing the outfit I am in now.
“Or would you prefer more causal attire like jeans? Our fall line has just come in and there are some adorable items in stock.”
“All of them,” Braxten says before I have a chance to answer. “Anything she will need for the next few months is what she will try on.”
The man is really very bossy.
“Well, this is going to be a ball.” Joanna claps delightfully, realizing what kind of sale she’ll be making for the day. “Follow me and we’ll get you started.”
She leads us through the store, grabbing a few items of clothing from the racks we pass before taking us to the dressing rooms in the far corner.
After unlocking one door, she passes me the few dresses she grabbed. “You can start with these while I gather some more options for you.”
Before I can thank her, she hurries away like a woman on a mission. I walk into the dressing room, closing the door behind me, but end up hitting something hard. Turning around, I find Braxten standing there, his large body crowding mine in the small space.
“Wh-what are you doing?” I stammer out nervously.
“Helping you.”
My pulse skips at the thought. “Why?”
“Don’t you need help with the zipper on your dress?”
Right. The zipper.
I release a breath, feeling ridiculous. Even though I can move around much better, the zipper is still too high for me to reach in the back.
Nodding, I turn around and remove my sweater. His hand sweeps my long, blonde hair over one shoulder, the sensual touch of his fingers on my skin creating a frenzy of goose bumps.
Once the zipper is released, I wait for him to step away, but it doesn’t happen. The heat of his body envelops mine as he leans down close, bringing his mouth to my ear. “Remember, Alice. No pride. If you need help, ask me.”
My hard swallow penetrates the thick silence. “I should be able to manage. I made sure I took my medication before leaving.”
“Good.” His nose brushes my hair, making me suck in a sharp breath. “I want to see them all on you. Understand?”
I nod. I’ll agree to anything right now if I can just get some room to breathe. I can’t think when he’s this close. My brain doesn’t function properly.
Thankfully, the agreement sends him backing out of the room. Once he closes the door, I drop onto the stool in the corner, feeling lightheaded.
What is it about the man that makes me feel like this? Like I can’t breathe. Like my skin is too tight for my body.
Like…I belong to him.
I shake my head at the last thought. Once I’m more composed, I try on the first outfit.
A soft yellow sundress with a blue flower pattern on it.
I praise the dress gods for the side zipper.
The fabric is soft, dainty, and airy. I like it, but not without a sweater so I take the one I came in with and pull it on, even though it doesn’t match.
Afterward, I open the door and walk out to show Braxten.
His dark eyes travel down the length of me, leaving an army of sensations in their wake. His blatant scrutiny has me shifting from foot to foot.
“Do you like it?” he asks, his gaze back on my face.
“Yes.”
“Good. Me too.”
Joanna comes back at that moment, carrying an arm full of clothes. “Oh, that’s so pretty on you, dear.”
“Thank you.”
She eyes the thin pink cardigan I’m wearing. “Would you like me to look for more of those sweaters? I have a few different colors that would work well.”
I nod. “Please.”
“Sure thing. Here, take these.” She hands me the pile she holds, filling my arms with the mound of clothes. “I also got you some undergarments too,” she says, not even bothering to keep that information private.
“Oh, uh, thanks.”
Braxten watches me with that amused grin of his.
“I guessed on your bust size,” she adds, “but let me know if you need bigger or smaller. Nothing to be embarrassed about here.”
If only that were true. I’m so embarrassed right now I wish for the ground to open up and swallow me whole.
Once she walks away, I scurry to the changing room, refusing to spare Braxten a glance. I’m in such a hurry that I don’t pay close enough attention and run into the corner of the door, further humiliating myself.
His low chuckle trickles behind me. “You okay, Wonderland?”
“Fine,” I grumble.
“Let me know if you need help with those undergarments.”
I kick the door shut before he finishes the statement and it only makes him laugh more. I swear the man is out to torture me today.