Chapter 50
CHAPTER FIFTY
Emelia sat on the patio, gazing out at the woods that bordered Titus’s cabin. The sun warmed the air. A light breeze caressed her, carrying the earth scent of pine. Birds twittered and chirped from the branches. The scene was calm and peaceful, just what she needed at the moment. Her wrists and ankles were still bandaged and healing, the faint throb a constant reminder of her abduction.
She had been staying at Titus’s cabin for a week, unable to work in the bakery. Titus was taking care of her every need, and although she appreciated it, she felt guilty that he was neglecting his own responsibilities, yet again.
“Titus, go to the gym. You have a business to run,” Emelia reminded him sternly.
“It’s fine. Vanessa and Neil have everything under control,” he assured her, taking a seat in the chair beside her. He pointed at the plate of food in front of her. “Eat up. You need your strength.”
Emelia glanced at the remains of the massive sandwich, layers of meat and cheese on thick slices of homemade bread Titus brought her. It tasted amazing, but she could only eat half.
Titus had been feeding her three meals a day, which was more than she usually ate, and when he wasn’t around, her friends would stop by with more food or just to talk.
There were so many decisions to be made, but Emelia wasn’t ready to face them yet. She had spoken to her parents after Titus had given them a heads-up and convinced them not to come down and visit; instead, she planned on going to see them soon and to bring Titus with her. Her parents were thrilled she was with him. Emelia guessed he impressed him when he was in Warwick.
Leo’s warm snout unexpectedly nudged her hand, seeking attention. She smiled and scratched behind his ears. “Oh, sweet boy. Are you hoping for a treat?” His eyes fixed on the sandwich, and he licked his lips. Obvious much?
She laughed. “Not today, sweetie. Titus just fed you.”
A knock at the door interrupted their moment, and Titus rose to answer it. Chase and Naomi walked out to the patio, and Naomi leaned in for a hug.
“What brings you two over?” Emelia asked with curiosity.
Chase exchanged a glance with Naomi and said, “We have an update on Stacy and Tim.”
Emelia’s heart skipped a beat. Just hearing their names brought back a flood of memories and emotions. She hadn’t completely recovered from Stacy’s betrayal, and as for Tim … well, she had no sympathy for him whatsoever.
Chase and Naomi settled in the chairs Titus brought out for them. “Liam said they were both charged and awaiting prosecution,” said Chase.
“Good.” Relief washed over Emelia. “They deserve whatever they get.”
They chatted for a little while until Naomi stood. “We need to leave, but we knew you’d want to hear what happened.”
Yes, she did.
“Thank you for telling us,” Emelia said. “What happened to Stacy’s brother? Do you know?”
Naomi snorted. “Tim was more than happy to provide that information to the police. So, it looks like he’ll be going back to prison for a while.”
“I don’t feel sorry for any of them,” said Emelia.
“It’s better than what they deserve,” Titus said. Emelia knew he was still angry he couldn’t protect her. She tried to tell him there was nothing he could have done differently. It hadn’t made a difference. He should know better, though.
Take Naomi, for instance. She had shared parts of her story with Emelia. Hiding in St. Pete, she was beaten by the cousin of a man convicted of killing her best friend. Sam Knight of KnightGuard Security brought her to recuperate in Black Pointe. Then Naomi moved to Haywood Lake, only to be kidnapped by a deranged man and eventually rescued. Despite being an ex-SEAL, Chase couldn’t stop the events from unfolding.
Nor could Liam when Joy was chased into the woods by a killer, or Ryker when Dani was abducted after dropping her son at camp.
Or for that matter, Will and Colt, when Isabelle and Felicia were kidnapped by the mob. The women had shared their stories but glossed over most of what happened to them. The fact remained: A protector could do only so much. Emelia wondered if the men ever got over feeling guilty. She hoped so. They were only human, not supermen, even though they thought they were.
Emelia started to get up to say goodbye.
“Don’t,” Titus said. “Those ankles need to heal.”
“But …”
He gave her his death glare. “No buts. I’ll see Naomi and Chase out.”
Emelia sat down and shook her head.
Chase patted her on the shoulder. “Listen to Titus.”
Naomi rolled her eyes and smiled when Chase looked at her. Emelia chuckled to herself. These guys were so protective.
Titus returned with a glass of water for her. “That was good news about Stacy and Tim.”
“It was,” she replied. Emelia hoped they would go to prison for a long time. No one should ever have to go through what she did.
“What do you hear from Josie?”
Josie and John were keeping the bakery open, and from what Emelia could tell, they were stepping up to the plate. John increased his hours and took over some of Emelia’s duties. She promoted Josie to manager. The arrangement was working out fine. Emelia missed the bakery—too many bad memories left a bitter taste in her mouth. When she was on her feet again, she thought she might look for an investor or just sell it outright.
“Hey, where did you go?” Titus looked at her with worried eyes.
“Oh,” she sighed. “Just thinking of the bakery and life.” Leo pushed his nose into her lap as she absentmindedly rubbed his head.
Titus took her hand in his. “Something’s bothering you. Will you tell me what it is?” Then he looked horrified. “It’s not me, is it? Am I being too protective?”
She shook her head. “It’s not you. I can’t thank you enough for taking care of me this week.”
“Do you miss the bakery? Working?”
Emelia thought about that. “Yes and no. I love the bakery, and I love creating.” Her shoulders slumped. “I’m not sure it’s my happy place anymore.”
Titus watched Emelia as she patted Leo’s head. He was thrilled to care for her but not the reason. It served as a constant reminder that he failed to protect her. Could he in the future? Did she feel safe with him? These questions weighed heavily on his mind. He prayed that she did.
He felt sad that she didn’t consider Lilypad Confections to be her happy place anymore. But he had an idea that could change that, although nothing would happen until the bandages were removed. Every time he looked at them, he felt guilty. Could he have done more?
But then again, several men in the Brotherhood had their women attacked or kidnapped. Titus didn’t fault them. There was only so much a person could anticipate.
Maybe he should be kinder to himself. Ultimately, everything turned out all right—Emelia was alive, and that was all that counted.
Her employees had truly risen to the occasion during her recovery.
Vanessa would occasionally stop by the bakery to see how they were doing and report back to him.
He pointed to her food again and firmly told her to eat. Emelia chuckled. No fear there. Humph. The woman was going to be the death of him. Titus shook his head and sighed. “Please. I have dessert.”
“Fine,” she grumbled and took another bite of the sandwich.
The box of pastries from Lilypad Confections was on the counter. Naomi had brought them with her.
In a few days, he would get together with her friends. Emelia needed Lilypad to feel like home again. Well, having a party for everyone there would certainly go a long way in helping her feel better.
His thoughts kept drifting to other matters.
One was shopping for an engagement ring. It was time, and he prayed that Emelia would say yes.
As much as he loved having Emelia stay with him in the cabin, it was too small for the two of them. However, she wasn’t sure she wanted to go back to her apartment. So, he had made some inquiries with a real estate agent to look for a house for them—a house they would turn into a home together. He knew precisely what he was searching for and hoped Emelia would understand.
Titus glanced over at the woman he’d given his heart to and saw their future together—one filled with love and happiness.