Chapter 51
51
C ate clung to Rhodes as Ethan finished packing up the car with their stuff.
A shiver ran through her and Rhodes tightened his hold.
“Are you sure you’ll be all right?” she asked. “We can stay if you’d rather.”
She wanted to go to the lake house. It was probably her favorite place in the world. She’d never say anything to Rhodes, but she didn’t particularly like living in the city.
However, she didn’t like leaving him alone.
This morning, she’d woken up late and cranky. Two nights with bad dreams and interrupted sleep and she was feeling exhausted and stressed.
As soon as Ethan had brought up the idea of going to the lake house for a while, she’d felt this surge of relief. Then she’d felt guilty, knowing she’d be leaving Rhodes alone.
“I’ll be fine, honey,” Rhodes reassured her. “I’ve got Seth and Butch here.”
She knew that. And logically, it wasn’t like she’d be able to help if the stalker did try to get to him.
But it didn’t stop her from worrying.
“Come on, I’ll put you in your seat.” He let go of her, before taking her hand to lead her outside. It was dark out. They’d decided to leave after dinner when the traffic would be better. She also wondered if Ethan had chosen to leave at night in case the stalker was watching.
She didn’t see how it was possible. The motorcycle club guys were still doing regular drive-bys. Plus, the stalker surely wouldn’t be interested in where she was going. But she guessed Ethan was being cautious.
And the stalker had taken those photos of her . . . so yes, perhaps it was better to go at night.
Rhodes walked her out and held open the car door. Ethan turned to them. “Are you ready, baby?”
“Yes.” She gave Rhodes another hug before climbing into the seat.
“Bye, little sister. I’ll call you, okay?”
“Every day,” she replied. They would be back in a week as she had a meeting she couldn’t shift. Her boss had told her to take a few days off.
She might actually do that for once.
“Every day,” he promised as Ethan climbed in the driver’s seat.
“And call if something happens.” Fear was a heavy ball in her stomach.
“Nothing will happen,” Rhodes replied gently. “Now, you be a good girl and do what Ethan tells you to do.”
“Hey!” she protested. “Shouldn’t he have to do what I say?”
Rhodes grinned. Ethan snorted from the driver’s seat.
“Nice try, sweetheart,” Ethan told her. “Not happening.”
“Bye.” Rhodes kissed her cheek, then shut the car door.
Ethan did up her seatbelt. Then he reached into the back and grabbed a pillow, blanket, Lady, and her pacifier. He put the blanket around her and handed her the pillow.
“Put this against the car door so you can lean against it if you want to nap,” he told her.
“Wow, you have everything ready, Daddy,” she said as he also put her sippy cup in the cup holder.
It had images of ladybugs all over it and was so cute. She couldn’t believe he’d bought her so much stuff. He’d shown it all to her yesterday. There was a bib, a baby bottle, another pacifier. Several onesies. And some ladybug slippers.
“I should have left your new slippers out. Are your feet warm enough?”
“I’ll be fine, Daddy.” She yawned. This was so comfy, and she hadn’t been getting much sleep lately.
“You just settle in and relax, baby. If you get cold, I’ll turn the heater up. It will only take a couple of hours to get there, and then I’ll put you to bed while I unpack.”
“I can help unpack, Daddy.”
“No, Little girls don’t carry things. You might trip and fall. Besides, you’re exhausted.”
“You must be tired too.” She felt terrible that she kept waking him up at night. “I’m sorry I’ve been waking you up.”
“Another sorry?” he queried. “Someone is already owed a big spanking and she’s trying to add to it.” He shook his head.
She gasped. “That’s not true, Daddy! I can say sorry when things are my fault.”
“It’s not your fault, though. These nightmares aren’t something you can help. And I would always rather be woken up than you have to go through them on your own.”
“You are such a good Daddy.”
“I try, baby.”
Her phone beeped, and she groaned as she leaned down and drew it out of her bag.
“Who is it?” he asked.
“Oliver. He is just wishing us a good trip and to let him know if I need him to do anything.”
He was a good assistant. She should give him a raise.
“He’s offering to come out to the lake house if I need something.”
“You didn’t tell him where it is?” Ethan asked.
“No. I haven’t told anyone. I don’t think there’s any reason for him to come out.”
“Good. Go to sleep, baby girl. Let Daddy take care of everything.”
Ethan drove up to the gate and punched in the code that Rhodes had given him.
Cate was still sleeping in the seat next to him and he didn’t wake her. Rhodes had given him the alarm code and he had a garage door opener. As he drove down the driveway, he could see the house looming ahead of him.
The headlights lit up the dark and he took in the two-story log structure. There was a circular driveway in front and he drove around to the garage, hitting the door opener and driving in.
The house was surrounded by forest on two sides. Rhodes had told him that the closest neighbor was over a mile away. He’d bought the surrounding land to give him more privacy.
Turning off the car, he opened the trunk before walking into the house to turn off the alarm. Doing a quick walk-through, he checked the place, seeing that the housekeeper Rhodes used had been in and put fresh linens on the bed as well as stocking the fridge.
Moving back to the car, he unpacked all of the luggage, putting it into the main bedroom. He glanced out the window and saw the water glinting under the moonlight.
The place was right on the waterfront. The view must be amazing during the day.
Walking back into the garage, he opened the door and undid Cate’s belt. Then he picked her up, carrying her into the bedroom. She grumbled a bit, then opened her eyes to glare at him as he laid her on the bed, then started to strip her.
“Whatcha doin’, Daddy? I wants to sleep.”
“I’m sorry, baby. I should have put your PJs on when we left the city. I’ll get you in your onesie and then you can sleep. Although you should go potty first.”
Her legs and arms slammed down on the bed. “No potty!”
“Are you throwing a tantrum, Catie-pie?” he asked in a stern voice.
She took in a sobbing breath. “S-sorry, Daddy.”
“I know you’re tired, baby. I’m going to get you into bed as quickly as I can. But any tantrums and you’re getting your butt smacked.”
Her lower lip wobbled, but she nodded. He got her changed, then carried her and put her on the toilet. She didn’t even try to protest as he cleaned her up, brushing her teeth before putting her to bed.
“I’ll heat you up a bottle,” he told her as he placed pillows around her so she wouldn’t roll off.
She didn’t like warm milk, but he’d found a hot chocolate powder that was designed to help people sleep. After grabbing it from the bag as well as her baby bottle, he heated it up in the kitchen.
When he walked back in, her eyes were closed, and she had Lady held in her arms.
“Baby?” he queried, sitting next to her.
Cate opened her eyes and he lifted her, pulling her up slightly so she rested against his chest. Then he put the nipple into her mouth.
She sucked the drink down and he laid her back again, watching her sleep for a long while before he got up and unpacked.
Hopefully, she’d sleep better tonight.