Chapter Seven #2
After assembling the new clothing, I try on a pair of jean shorts with a white tank top and soft plaid shirt left unbuttoned.
I instantly hate the outfit because of the bruises on my legs.
They are an eyesore, showing me at my weakest. The fading ones on my face are hard enough to deal with, the last thing I want to do is expose any other ones.
Cracking the door open, I poke my head out to Braxten. “I don’t like this one.”
His somber expression never wavers. “Why?”
“I just don’t.”
“Show me anyway.”
I hesitate, not wanting to step out of this room in fear of who else might walk in. Instead, I open the door wider and let him see from a distance.
His eyes travel down my body, much like they did the first time, before climbing back up to my face. “What’s wrong with it?”
“You know what,” I whisper. “It shows too much.”
His knowing stare holds mine, seeing every single insecurity I can’t hide. “There’s nothing to be ashamed about, Alice. The bruises will fade, but the girl wearing them will always remain.”
His words are both soothing and heartbreaking. He doesn’t understand. He can’t. Not when he is as attractive as he is. As confident as he is.
Joanna comes walking back over with more sweaters.
“Okay, I grabbed a cream one, a yellow one, and a—” She stops short, a subtle gasp escaping her when she sees what I wish to hide from the world.
She recovers quickly, but there’s no denying the sympathy etched on her face, not even the polite smile can mask it.
“I have the perfect cowgirl boots to pair with those shorts if you like?”
I look over at Braxten, expecting him to answer this one like he has everything else. He ends up surprising me.
“It’s your call, Alice. Whatever you want.”
Relief fills me that he does not fight me on this. “I think I’ll just stick to jeans and long dresses for now,” I tell Joanna.
“No problem. Why don’t I still grab those cowgirl boots though? They will look cute with a few of the jeans I have for you and they will be good for the farm. I’ll also grab a few other options as well.”
“Thank you. I’d appreciate that.”
She hands me the sweaters and disappears once again, leaving Braxten and me alone.
“I know what you’re thinking,” I mumble, paying close attention to my feet.
“Really? Enlighten me, Wonderland. What am I thinking?”
“You’re disappointed in me.”
Silence expands between us before he climbs out of his chair and walks over to me, every stride determined until he’s standing right before me. My head tilts all the way back, throat growing impossibly dry.
“On the contrary, Alice. I feel a lot of things right now, but disappointment isn’t one of them.
” His hand moves to my cheek as he peers down at me.
“As much as I don’t think you should hide any part of yourself, I also know what it’s like to not want to put your most vulnerable moments on display for the world to see.
So cover what you want. Hide what you will.
Just not from me. We are different. Am I clear? ”
I nod.
“Good. Now go try on the rest of the outfits. After you’re done we’ll go for lunch at the diner next door.”
My head slants inquisitively. “Has anyone ever told you that you’re incredibly bossy, Braxten Creed?”
The question triggers that easy grin of his. “Yeah, actually they have, and it’s something I take pride in.”
I smile back at him, thankful for the lighter moment.
Our encounter comes to an end when Joanna brings several pairs of shoes, one of them the cowgirl boots she mentioned.
I end up loving them. Actually, I love all the shoes she brings, but I only choose two, much to Braxten’s dismay.
However, he makes sure I leave with way more outfits than necessary, including the pair of shorts.
He said for when I’m more comfortable to wear them.
The man never gives up.
It isn’t until we are at the counter paying that reality hits and my stomach twists at every swipe of the price tag. When the total is revealed, I feel down right sick. Braxten on the other hand doesn’t even bat an eye as he hands her his credit card.
I manage to contain my composure until we’re outside. “Fifteen hundred dollars!” I screech, turning on him. “Are you crazy?”
He shrugs. “We got a lot of clothes. I’m actually impressed it cost only that much. Besides, those undergarments are fancy,” he mocks playfully.
I curse myself for the blush creeping into my cheeks and refuse to give him the smile he’s looking for. “I’m serious, Braxten. It’s too much. I only need half this stuff.”
His playful demeanor vanishes, annoyance taking its place. “Are we going to argue about this all day? Because as much as I love this back and forth with you, it’s starting to piss me off.”
I gape at him incredulously. “I’m trying to save you money here.”
“And I’m trying to take care of you,” he snaps. “Why can’t you accept that?”
“Accepting help is one thing, being a charity case is another.”
“You’re not a fucking charity case!”
“It sure feels that way!” I look away, not wanting him to see how hurt I am.
His frustration fades as he steps closer to me, gently grasping my shoulders. “You’re not a charity case. I want to do this. I need to do this, Alice.”
“Why?” I ask. “Why do you insist on all this?”
“Honestly? I don’t know, but I’m doing this just as much for me as I am for you. I have this insane need to take care of you. The way I wish someone would have done for me before my brothers and father came along.”
There’s something beautifully sad in the way he looks at me right now and it crushes the last of my resolve. “All right, but we need to set some ground rules.”
He grunts. “Sorry, baby. I’m not one for rules.”
His “baby” comment skips it’s way into my heart and takes off on a gallop. However, I don’t let it distract me and lift my chin. “Well, it’s the only way I’ll stop fighting you on this.”
He crosses his arms over his broad chest. “Fine. What?”
“No more going overboard and you will let me pay you back every cent when I’m able to.”
My determined stare never wavers from his as I stand my ground.
“I have a better idea. How about we argue about it over lunch?” He follows the suggestion with a handsome smirk that probably gets him out of trouble a lot.
I shake my head. “You’re impossible, Braxten Creed.”
“Yeah, I know.” He doesn’t even bother to deny it as he drapes an arm around my shoulders. “Now, let me feed you and we can find out what else you like to eat.”
I now see why he gets his way all the time. He’s hard to say no to. Despite his unwilling promise, I will pay him back for everything he has done.