He gently sets me on the bed then walks in the bathroom turning the shower on. Coming back into the bedroom he scoops me up in his arms, carrying me to the bathroom where he undresses me first, then undresses himself. He’s filthy. Coal dust blankets his dark skin and rims his dark as night eyes like black eye liner. He steps into the shower, pulling me in behind him as he wraps his arms around me tightly. The hot, steamy water cascades around us and he holds me quietly, with his forehead pressed to mine watching me cry. He reaches up with the pads of his thumbs and dries my tears as he presses a swift, sweet kiss to my lips. My chest heaves rapidly as I suck in a short breath that catches in my throat. Being wrapped in his arms, a feeling of protection washes over me and I find a peaceful solace. Colton washes my hair and my sobbing slowly deduces to silent cries. He washes my body, slowly caressing the loofa over my shoulders and back, trying to ease the tension that I carry.
After he scrubs the coal dust from his skin, he turns the water off before wrapping a towel around my shoulders then one around his hips. We dry off and get dressed without speaking a word. The tears have stopped but my breathing hiccups in my chest as my nerves steady. He pulls me behind him into the living room, placing me in his lap as he sits in the recliner. I snuggle my face into his chest and shudder as I inhale his fresh ocean scent. He grips his arms around me tighter and a soothing calm blankets me. I thank God in this moment for Colton. We’ve been through so much together but he always proves his love for me and anchors me when I need him the most.
“You wanna tell me what has you so upset, darlin’?” Colton asks quietly. I look into his eyes, sadly and shake my head as I bite down on my lip. His lips form a hard line and he cocks his eyebrow up
at me, “darlin’, talk to me. I’m not askin’ ya, but demandin’ ya tell me what’s got you so damn tore up,” he kisses me softly again, “please. Just talk to me. Don’t shut me out. I hurt when you hurt, baby.” His voice grows deeper with anger. His body warms beneath me and I know he won’t relent until he knows why I’m so distraught. I promised Savannah I wouldn’t tell her secret, but I don’t know that I can keep that promise.
I pinch my eyes together and try to find the words to tell Colton about Savannah, but all that falls from my mouth is, “Luke was right,” before the sobs return. I clutch onto his chest harder, burying my face as I cry. Colton’s body goes rigid and the warmth of his body blazes to a smoldering heat. He kicks the bottom of the recliner down and places me on the couch as he begins to pace the floor.
“Where is she?” He barks through clenched teeth.
“She’s at home.”
He stops mid step, turning an icy cold glare at me. “Darlin’, why?”
“I-I begged her to leave him, Colton. She refused. It took me a while to get it out of her that he was abusing her and when the dam finally broke all she could do was scream and cry.” He continues to pace briskly across the floor, raking his fingers through his hair in frustration.
“Get dressed, we’re goin’ to get her and the kids. They can stay at your house.”
“We can’t!” I shrill, and notice immediately that I’ve overreacted to his statement.
“Darlin’, I can’t stand by knowin’ that he’s hurtin’ her and do nothin’ ‘bout it.”
“I promised that her secret would stay safe with me, Colton. I can’t break my trust with Savannah. Josh is out of town, so she’s safe tonight. I just have to open her eyes to the monster that he is and hope she’ll listen.”
“So she still don’t know about Drew?” I shake my head shamefully, looking down at my hands as they twist nervously in my lap.
He takes two steps towards me, sitting down on the coffee table in front of me. He frames my face with his hands and pulls me closer to him. Looking deep in my eyes he caresses my cheeks as he speaks. “Baby, I know you don’t want to cause Savannah any pain. But how are you protectin’ her by keepin’ this secret?”
I pull away from his hands and sigh in frustration. I’m not mad at him for pointing out the truth, I’m pissed at myself for being a coward. I’m pissed because I’m only hurting her more by hiding the truth from her.
“I don’t know!” I yell, scrubbing my hands over my face. “You should have seen her, Colton. Savannah acts strong, like she has it all together perfectly, when in reality she’s shredding at the seams. I’m scared that if I tell her about Drew, she’ll completely flip.”
Colton releases a deep pent up breath, and he throws his hands up in defeat. “Darlin’ you know your sister better than anyone. You know what she can handle and what she can’t. I’ll do whatever you want me to do, even though it takes everything in me not to hunt his ass down and beat that pathetic bastard to a frickin’ pulp. Ain’t no woman deserves to be treated as a punchin’ bag.” He shakes his head, clenching his fist together tightly at the top of his thighs. “But I’m tellin’ you now, Carly Jo, you need to tell her the truth. It may just open her eyes to the life around her. The truth may just save her.”
Chapter 26
The trees rustle quietly through the mild, spring breeze. The sun casts down rays of warmth over my face as I lay on the blanket in the grass reading on my Kindle, lazily caressing my belly. She’s so active, making her presence known with her tiny feet pressing into my side. I revel in each sensation of feeling her move within my womb. As her tiny body develops and progresses with each passing day, her home becomes tighter, making any movement she makes more uncomfortable for the both of us.
Colton has been working crazy hours this last month and we haven’t had much family time. He woke up this morning in the mood to fish. Once he mentioned muddin’ and fishin’ to his little princess she tossed the tutu aside for some cut off blue jean shorts and polka dotted rain boots. I put together a picnic and within an hour we were climbing the hills to our favorite pond.
“Daddy, the only dang thing bitin’ out here is the bugs. Where’s the fishies?” I look up to see Heidi Jo impatiently watching the bobber dance across the pond, her hand firmly on her hip as she toes tap the ground. They’ve been fishing for about two hours now and judging by the frustration laced in her voice, they haven’t had much luck.
“Patience, princess.” Colton whispers as he eases toward his line, watching with a trained eye. He jerks the line out of the water, reeling it vigorously. As the bass flops up out of the water Heidi Jo shrieks, jumping up and down in excitement over Colton’s big catch of the day.
“Yeah! Way to go daddy!” Heidi Jo yells, wrapping her arms around Colton’s waist. “I wanna hold it.” She says, reaching out for the squirmy bass. “Ewww, why’s it so slimy? Gross!” She prances on the balls of her feet holding the bass loosely in her hands. I cover my mouth with my hand to hide my laughter. I remember the very first time Daddy ever placed a fish in my hand and I nearly dropped the scaly critter in a fit of panic.
“It’s just a little fish, baby girl. He lives in the pond, he’s supposed to be slimy.” Colton laughs, taking the fish from Heidi Jo’s hands. He walks to the bank of water and releases the fish into the water.
“Hey! What’d you do that for? I wanted to take the fishy home with me.” She pouts, planting her hands on her hips firmly.
“Take it home? It wouldn’t survive there, princess. We fish for fun.” Colton tells her as he swoops her up in his arms and carries over to the blanket where I’m propped up on my elbows. I pull myself up and squirt hand sanitizer on their hands before pulling the food from the cooler to make their lunch. Leaning against Colton’s chest, I sneak a grape from his plate when he’s not looking.
“Don’t you like to fish, Carly Jo?” Heidi Jo asks with a full mouth.
“I love it, sweets. Your daddy and me used to fish in this same pond when we were younger.” I say rubbing my belly lovingly.
“Well whatcha doin’ layin’ on the blanket readin’ a book for? The fish are just startin’ to bite! You ain’t scared to bait your hook are ya? Daddy always makes me put the worm on the hook.” She shudders, looking down at the sandwich in her hands.