From This Moment

Chapter 20

Cade

Pulling up outside my home and seeing Daniel there with Tom motionless at the foot of the steps has my heart nearly jumping out of my chest. As soon as I stop the vehicle, I run over to Daniel.

“Where’s Rona?”

“Cade, calm down. She’s okay. Listen, I think he hit her across the side of the face because a bruise is forming. She’s limping slightly so maybe she’s banged up on one side. She’s agreed that the paramedics can check her out when they arrive.”

“Dad, are you okay? You look white,” Anna shouts, as she catches up to me, putting her hand on my arm.

I pat her hand. “No. Not now Anna, please.”

“Cade, Rona needs to get into some warm clothes and she’ll probably need help.”

“It’s okay Daniel, I’ll help her,” Anna replies.

“I’ll see to her. Where is she, Daniel?” I demand, my shocked daughter looking on. I’m too worried about Rona at the moment to placate Anna, who has her husband’s arm around her.

“Cade, you should know it wasn’t just Tom. Nick is involved. He went to get the car, and they were planning on taking Rona with them.”

I curse a blue streak, until I see the look on Anna’s face. That shuts me up.

“Go to her Cade. She keeps asking for you.”

“Thanks for everything.”

I head into the house with Anna and Justin trailing me and hear Anna in the background babbling on about Rona and me. Right now, all I need is to see Rona and have her in my arms. And then there she is. I freeze momentarily. Rona turns her head in my direction and I watch her composure crumble as I rush to her side.

Before I can think, she’s wrapped in my arms crying her heart out. I feel tears rolling down my face, mingling with Rona’s. I bring her face up to mine and kiss her softly. “Sweetheart. Are you hurt anywhere other than your face? Daniel mentioned you were limping.” I’m shaking as I caress her face.

“My left hip, leg and head. He kept dragging me by the hair.”

“God!” I take in some deep breaths to try and calm down.

“Cade, will you help me upstairs? I need to put some dry clothes on.”

“I will.” I pick her up in my arms and just hold her for a minute as she hugs me tight. She lifts her hand to my face, and I lean down and put my lips to hers in a lingering possessive kiss, not caring who sees us. Taking a deep breath, I rest my forehead against hers. “I love you. I’ve never felt as helpless in my life as I did knowing that bastard had gotten to you. I never should have left.”

“I’m glad you weren’t here. He had a gun.” Rona starts to cry again.

Holding her close, I turn and offer Anna a wry smile.

“We’ll talk later,” I tell her as I walk past with Rona in my arms.

Anna nods in response.

Arriving at the bedroom, I see the broken door and hesitate.

“It’s okay, Cade, let’s just get some clothes.”

With Rona in my arms, I don’t want to let her go.

“What do you want to wear?”

“My yoga pants. They’re in that drawer.” She points. “And some thick socks and one of your long sleeve tee shirts.”

Loving how she wants to wear a tee shirt of mine, I help her undress, and spot a huge bruise from above her left hip going half way down her thigh.