Rugged Daddy

“Nikki!” I threw my hands around her when I opened the door.

“Heather. Oh my god, I’m so glad you’re okay,” she said.

“Of course, I’m okay. Why wouldn't I be okay?”

“Because you’re pregnant and not feeling well and being held hostage in a cabin in the woods. A very very large cabin.”

“I’m not being held hostage,” I said. “I’m here of my own volition.”

“Doesn’t sound that way sometimes.”

“Come on. Let me help you with the groceries.”

Cameron gathered up what we couldn't, but I saw Nicole giving him the stink-eye from the corner of her vision. If he caught it, he didn’t let on. He helped us unpack things and put the bags away before he disappeared, leaving us alone.

I was thankful for the time with Nikki.

“What’s his deal?” she asked.

“What do you mean?”

“Why is he so adamant about you being here? And don’t give me this thing about watching out for you or you not feeling well. I know you. I’ve seen you stumble to the pharmacy with the flu because you didn’t want someone else doing something for you. I want you to be honest with me right now.”

It killed me that I couldn't be. “There are things I can’t talk about right now, Nicole. But you have to trust me.”

“It’s never good when you call me by my full name. What the hell’s going on?”

“You have to trust me. Andrew is a good guy, and all he’s doing is trying to protect me and his child.”

“His child? Not ‘our’ child?”

“Nikki, don’t pick apart my words. I’m too tired to play that game.”

“Yes, you look exhausted. My car’s here. I can take you home. You don’t have to stay here if you don’t want to,” she said.

“He’s protecting me from Charlie, Nikki. I told you he’s getting rough. I’m not comfortable around my bakery right now, and he knows where I live. Who’s to say he won’t show up at my place and toss a brick through it?”

“ Then you should be talking to the police and getting a restraining order, not hiding up here a half hour from town. I know you’re hiding something. What are you hiding from me?”

“Nicole, please. Please don’t do this,” I said. “Trust me. I’m safe here with Andrew and Rebecca.”

“From what?”

“Keep it down,” I said in a whisper. “Rebecca’s sleeping.”

“I’m taking you home,” she said. She grabbed my hand and started tugging me toward the front door.

“No, you’re not,” I said as I wrenched away from her grasp.

She whipped around to look at me, her eyes flaring with anger.

“Something’s going on with you. Something’s off about this man. And I don’t know what kind of spell he’s got you under, but I’m not going to let him do this to you. I’m not going to let him strip you of your independence because you think you owe him something because you’re pregnant.”

“It’s nowhere near like that, Nikki.”

“I’m coming back soon to check on you, and I don’t give a shit what that asshole says about it. But I’m letting you know right now, if you’re not here or I feel something’s off, I’m calling the police immediately.”

Then she turned on her toes and stormed out of the cabin.