“I’m so glad. They all terrified me. Even more than my mom did.”
“Pretty soon, you won’t have to worry about anyone.”
“I like the sound of that. I’ve got so much I need to do.”
“Like what?”
“I have to find a job. My mother pushed me out of the house without anything. Not even my toothbrush.”
“What did you do?”
“I moved around for a few days in my car, but I didn’t go far because I was going to run out of gas, and I had no money to buy more. That’s where I slept every night until I found the job at Lacey’s house. I’d only been there three weeks before we both left together. During that time, I was able to rent a small place for myself and get things from the street and the dollar store after my first check. Thankfully, they paid really well.”
“You’re amazing. I’m so proud of you.”
She tilted her head back to look up at him. “Really?”
“Yes. You’re a very strong woman.”
She shook her head. “No, I’m not. I cried every night.”
“That doesn’t matter. The fact you woke up every morning and took on whatever happened that day is amazing.”
It felt like something squeezed his heart when a bright smile spread across her face. Damn, she was so incredibly beautiful with her long, dark-brown hair and eyes the color of caramel. Her smile alone brightened his day, and the feel of her in his lap and arms made him feel content. Something he couldn’t remember ever feeling.