Total pages in book: 91
Estimated words: 84250 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 421(@200wpm)___ 337(@250wpm)___ 281(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 84250 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 421(@200wpm)___ 337(@250wpm)___ 281(@300wpm)
Chapter 24
Claire
It’s not that I really expected the man to open his mouth and call me names, but I don’t expect him to sit right beside me, wrap his arm around my back, and pull me to his chest.
If I weren’t so used to the lack of human contact other than hugging and holding Larkin, I might find comfort in the embrace, but it’s awkward.
As if he has magical powers, his touch makes another sob escape from my throat. I hate feeling weak, and looking weak in front of others is ten times worse.
He doesn’t seem to mind my tears wetting his shirt as his hand rubs comforting circles on my back. His heartbeat is strong in my ear, his breathing normal and urging me to get mine in sync.
It takes a few long minutes before our breaths match, and I find that my heart rate is coming back down as well. The tears begin to subside, and all the while, his hand runs magical circles on my back. He’s like an emotional support animal, and I huff a laugh at the thought. He doesn’t confront me about the noise, and I wonder if he’s out of his element here. It’s possible that he has comforted many women in his past and just that thought threatens to make my heart rate kick back up a notch. His history shouldn’t matter at all. I have no claim to this man. Hell, even the man I married had no problem smiling at me before walking out of the bar with another woman on his arm.
I was indifferent to Hux and what he was doing after we got married. I knew my place in his life, and other than a name on the marriage license and my addition to his insurance, I meant nothing to him. I was fine with that.
I imagine being in the same position in Walker’s life and it hurts my feelings. That is too dangerous of a thought to let slip inside of me.
I press my palm against his chest to sit up straight, but he tightens his grip on me for the briefest of seconds before letting me go.
“Sorry,” I mutter, using the back of my hand to swipe at the wetness staining my cheeks.
“You have nothing to be sorry for. In a few minutes, I may be the one issuing an apology, but I have questions. I want you to know they come from a non-judgment zone. Well, there will be judgment, but it won’t be directed at you.”
I knew better than to think this man would just let it all go and forget he found the letter from the credit card company and my confession about my connection to Huxley.
I nod, knowing the man is like a dog with a bone and won’t let it go.
“You can ask,” I begin. “But I have the right to refuse to answer.”
I watch his eyes dip to my legs when I cross them and try to tug the thin towel over my knee but fail.
A spark of the same heat I felt last night threatens to set me on fire for him, but I shove it down, smothering it before it can turn into another raging fire.
I lied about being late to pick up Larkin. The sun is barely coming up, and Nora would have a fit if I came to her house and insisted that she wake Larkin up. The kid is a girl after my own heart and prefers to sleep in late when she can.
“You came to Lindell to let the Kennedys know you and Hux were married and you were pregnant, but what about your other family? The ones back in El Paso?”
“I only have my mom. My dad was an absent father and I haven’t seen nor heard from him in over fifteen years. My mom told me I made my bed when she found out Hux died. She wouldn’t help me if she could, but honestly, she hasn’t made the best life decisions herself.”
Instead of voicing opinions about my mom, he remains silent so I can continue.
“I felt like such a coward coming here and standing on their front porch, but I never imagined they’d look at me with such disdain. Nora told me that Hux would never marry a woman like me.”
“What the fuck is that supposed to mean?” he growls, but then he pulls in a deep breath.
I try not to smile at his defensiveness. I can’t recall the last time someone stood in my corner much less acted like they wanted to take up arms and advocate for me. I don’t know what to do with the emotions it makes me feel, but I do know not to look too much into it.
Despite the way Nora looks at me and treats me, there is no shortage of nice people in Lindell. They’re quick to offer help, and I have to see the way he’s acting no differently. It’s not personal. The man would help anyone, and I’d be a fool to read more than that into it.