Dare to Stay (Dare Nation 4)

“Let me get myself together. I can’t exactly go barefoot.”

Braden nodded. “Do you have any extra clothes you could bring? I have a feeling Aurora doesn’t have much. I know she’s pregnant, but she’s not huge despite being in her third trimester, and something oversized on top should do.”

God, it was hard not to like this man. “Sure,” Willow said, a lump in her throat for the girl they were about to go see.

His gaze fell to her feet and a sexy smirk lifted his lips. “Nice toenails.”

She glanced down at her Tiffany-blue polish and grinned. “Thank you,” she said, pleased with the pedicure she’d given herself, not to mention the fact that he’d noticed, then headed for her bedroom.

A few minutes later, she’d pulled her hair into a messy bun, fixed her face with a little makeup, and put on a swing tank that was nicer than her favorite soft tee shirt with a hole in the bottom. She looked casual and unimposing, which was who she was. Someone a young girl wouldn’t find intimidating. Sifting through her clothes, she found a soft, comfy, oversized shirt that was huge on her and a pair of black leggings that maybe the pregnant girl could leave below her belly. Then she slipped on a pair of Chucks and was ready to go.

She met up with him in the living room. “All set. I just need to be home in time to put my turkey in the oven around three.” The small breast didn’t need more than two to three hours to cook.

He raised an eyebrow. “Do you really think I’m taking Aurora home with me for the holiday and leaving you to eat by yourself? Besides, once Aurora meets you, I bet she’s going to be more comfortable with you there.”

He had a good point. “You don’t play fair,” she muttered, knowing arguing would be futile. Although her stomach fluttered with nerves at the prospect of spending hours with his whole family. There were so many siblings and now significant others. She forced in a deep breath and reminded herself she was doing it for a good cause.

He shrugged. “Never said I did.” He grasped her elbow and steered her toward the door.

“Wait! I need to put some things in the fridge and grab pie to bring to your mother’s.”

Obviously certain she wasn’t going to hide out in her room, he released his grip and she headed for the kitchen.

“My mom doesn’t need pie. She just loves company,” he called out.

“I met her once before, remember? I just want to be polite. Besides, why let a good pecan pie go to waste?”

When they were together, he’d wanted her to spend more time with his family. As usual, she’d kept her distance. Maybe that was why he’d had little trouble leaving her. She hadn’t given him everything he needed in the relationship or a reason to stay. The thought stunned her. She hadn’t considered her own responsibilities in them falling apart.

She bit down on her lower lip, put everything away, and grabbed the pie.

Then they were on their way.

* * *

Only when Braden had Willow in the passenger seat of his car did he breathe a sigh of relief. She’d joined him without an argument, caring only about Aurora and the situation the young woman found herself in. Willow, despite her hang-ups about getting close to people, had a huge heart. He saw it daily in the way she treated her patients, the players who relied on her talent and ability to get them back on the field.

He’d seen it when they were together the first time and she’d tell him stories about the players she encouraged and helped to believe they would play again after an injury. She was caring and worked overtime to make sure the guys had what they needed. She just didn’t know how to accept the same thing for herself that she so easily gave to others.

He’d already put the diner’s address into Waze and followed the directions, pulling up in front of Merry’s, a restaurant off the beaten path, and parking the car.

The neighborhood wasn’t the best, homeless people sitting against buildings and young men congregating in groups wearing similar colors. He knew what that signaled. Aurora wasn’t living in a good area, and that concerned him. He didn’t know why he felt such a strong need to help this one girl, but he had a hunch it was because she reminded him of who Willow used to be. Not pregnant but a foster care child, too.

She’d been quiet on the way here, and he left her to her thoughts except for the brief conversation on how he wanted to handle their visit.

“We’re here,” he said, leaning an arm on the steering wheel.

Concern etched her pretty face. She hadn’t been expecting him and had only added a little makeup when she’d gone to her bedroom to change. As far as he was concerned, she didn’t need it. Fresh face worked for her as much as lightly made up. In fact, he preferred the hint of freckles on her nose.