Chapter 15
Rake (Silo)
Pulling my truck off the main road and onto the one leading to the cabin drains some of my stress. I’ll be home in less than five minutes. My two-month assignment felt like it would never end.
Norah and I had a stressful month of dealing with her mom and stepdad’s arrests and then I was shipped out on an important case. We’ve only even talked twice and the extent each time was pretty much ‘I love you and come home safe’.
All that when we’d only been together a month. The first reality test of what our life could, would be like. She said she could handle it. But damn if I hadn’t heard something in her voice when I called to say we’d landed, and I was on my way.
The cabin is dark except a light over the kitchen sink. When I push the door open, Vader and Shiva greet me with tails wagging. But a quick scan doesn’t reveal Norah.
Then I hear the flush of the toilet and relax, barely. “I’m home, Sugar.”
It’s another two minutes before the door eases open. It’s obvious by her swollen eyes and red cheeks my girl’s been crying. My heart seizes. Something’s wrong. And by the anguish in her eyes, it’s serious.
I drop my duffle at my feet and open my arms “What’s wrong? What’s happened? What do you need me to do?”
She stutter-steps my way like she’s going in front of a firing squad. Ah fuck, this is bad. She’s changed her mind.
With three feet to go, she throws herself in my arms and bursts into tears. “I’m sorry, Rake. I’m so sorry. I didn’t think it through. I was impulsive. I didn’t think about what it would, what it could do to you.”
Resting my head on top of hers, I just hold her and let her sob. I promise myself I’ll let her go easy. I always knew this kind of love wasn’t meant for me. I love her too much to try to hold her. Her happiness is more important to me than my own.
Clutching my shirt like she’ll never let me go, she keeps crying and saying she’s sorry and mumbling into my chest. Eventually, she calms to the point of hiccups.
“Sugar, tell me what you want me to do. Do you want me to leave tonight? Is there something you need before I go?”
“I don’t want you to go.” She pounds my chest. “I don’t want you to leave.” She hits me again. “Have you not been listening!”
Palming her ass in my hands, I lift her. “Wrap your legs around me.” Carrying her to the edge of the bed, I sit and grab the tissue box, plucking a couple to hand to her. “Blow your nose. Wipe your eyes. Look at me.”
Once she does, I lean forward and kiss each eye then gently brush her lips. She seems to calm.
Lifting her chin so she has to look at me, I smile. “Now start at the beginning.”
“It’s my fault. I lost track of time when Nana died.”
“What’s your fault?”
“I forgot to change my patch. I’m pregnant.
I’m sorry. I know how irresponsible that is.
I know it’s not fair to you and if you want to leave, I’ll understand.
I won’t ask anything of you but... But I love you so much I don’t want to lose you.
I don’t want you to feel trapped. I don’t want to be a burden. ”
She’s pregnant. She’s having my baby, our baby.
“Sugar, look at me.” When she does, I grab another tissue and wipe her eyes.
“I love you. All of you and everything about you. I never knew I wanted kids, mainly because I never thought I’d find someone who would love me.
I’m not worthy of you, but I will love you forever and take care of you and any children we have.
“I don’t want you to feel you have to, but I want you to marry me. So, you know, I bought a ring while I was gone. I was going to ask you in a couple days. I even have dinner reservations at the Sandy Sipper so our friends could be there.”
“Yo—you do?”
“Yeah, Sugar, I do. Nyla and Patch have been helping me out. So ,will you marry me?”
“Yes, my love. A thousand times yes.”