Chapter Fifty-One

Emma lay with her eyes open, amazed at the silence. The house settled every so often, but that was the only sound. When she’d moved back home, she’d hated nights like this. With her head pillowed on Cain’s shoulder, though, Emma wouldn’t have minded if it went on forever.

“What wheels are turning in that pretty head?” The burr of Cain’s voice sent a pleasant chill through Emma’s body, and Cain pulled her closer.

“Thinking of how blessed I am.”

They’d looked in on the sleeping children and then retired to the room Maddie had given them on their previous visit and locked the door behind them. After the kiss they’d shared at the top of the stairs, Emma needed to feel Cain’s skin. She scratched along Cain’s chest and smiled when her fingernails caused a shiver. “I’m thinking about what our next baby will be like.” She shifted so she could see Cain’s face in the moonlight. “I’m thinking about you roaming the aisles at the toy store.”

“I’ve been visualizing that myself. I’ve got a lot of catching up to do when it comes to our little girl.”

Even though Cain’s comment was light, Emma teared up. “I’m sorry.”

“What’s wrong?” Cain rolled over and cupped Emma’s cheek.

“Hannah’s not going to know what hit her when we settle into a normal routine.”

“Is that a bad thing?”

“No, love, it’s just that for all her short life, presents have been of a practical nature. Just one more thing I caved in to my mother about. Toys aren’t practical.” Emma imitated Carol Verde’s pinched voice. “I not only stole time from you, but I stole all those Christmas mornings and birthdays from Hannah.”

“Listen to me.” Cain placed her fingers over Emma’s mouth. “I want you to forgive yourself. We can’t change the past, just improve upon it. Hannah will know true happiness for the rest of her days not because of the things she’s missed out on, but because we’ll both love her. That alone will make even the heartaches that come along bearable.”

“See, I told you I was blessed.” Emma pulled Cain down, wanting to feel the weight of her. The sensation always made her feel safe.

“Let our love for each other see you through when you doubt your decisions, lass. None of us, no matter how much we’d like to think so, is perfect. In my eyes, though, you’re about as close as they come.”

“Flatterer.” The sad feelings drained away as Emma nipped along Cain’s neck.

“I’m more of a lover, really, but if it’s flattery you’re after, I can lie here and think of some.”

“Honey, as much as I love the sound of your voice, talking is the last thing I want you to be doing right about now.”

Cain worked her hand slowly between them and continued down until she found what she was hoping would be at the end of her journey. Emma was wet, and her hips jerked when Cain ran her fingers ran along the length of her sex. “What can I interest you in, then?”

“Shut up and make love to me.” Emma pinched Cain’s butt, but just as quickly she caressed it.

Their lovemaking was faster than either of them wanted, but it was satisfying. After they finished, Cain stayed awake enjoying the flush of Emma’s skin and the way her breathing returned to a normal rate after all the exertion. The passion between them had left Emma lethargic, and she went immediately to sleep.

Running her hand slowly down Emma’s back, Cain imagined their new life now that Giovanni and his pack of goons were gone.

Before she could get too far into her train of thought, the phone on the nightstand buzzed, and she grabbed it before it could wake Emma. As she listened to Merrick, she heard Emma moan softly when she tensed at the guard’s words. “Don’t make a move.” Pulling Emma closer, she whispered, “Shh, lass, it’s all right.”

“She’s making her way to the house from the field, Cain, and you don’t want me to do anything? Believe me, I’d love to use my gun.”

“If you stop her, then we’ll never know what exactly she had in mind, will we?” Slowly Cain pulled away from Emma and picked her boxers off the floor. Emma seemed content for now, hugging Cain’s pillow to her chest as Cain put her shirt back on and padded barefoot out of the room.

She leaned against the wall at the end of the hall and waited. Soon the front door creaked open and closed just as softly. The wood of the stairs barely made a sound as the intruder made her way up and headed to the room across from where Cain was standing in the shadows. Cain doubted that the woman would notice her at all unless she was looking directly at her, and she seemed focused on the closed door leading into Hannah’s room.

With her hand on the knob, Carol Verde felt her heart run cold when she heard the floorboard groan ever so slightly behind her. Standing perfectly still as if that would make her invisible, she waited to see if it was just the house shuddering from the breeze outside.

“What do you suppose would happen if I were to kill you now and claim I thought you were a burglar? Not only that, but a burglar poised to harm or, better yet, take my daughter?”

“Your daughter? What a laugh that is.” Carol was shocked at how close Cain had gotten without her hearing her. The floorboard evidently wasn’t an accident; it was the one noise Cain had meant for her to hear. “Hannah is still pure, not like that abomination you call a son.”

Cain whipped her hand up, wanting to choke the life out of the bitter old woman, but stopped at the last second and grabbed Carol’s hand instead. Perhaps Carol’s hearing wasn’t all that great, but Cain’s was keen.

“Please, don’t stop on my account.”

Wearing only the sweater Cain had discarded when they’d gone to bed, Emma stood in the doorway with her arms folded over her chest.

“Why, you ungrateful little…” Carol’s anger made her shake as she glared at her daughter. “After all I’ve done for you, trying to save you from yourself.”

The fact that Cain hadn’t dropped Carol’s hand hadn’t escaped Emma’s notice as she moved closer, not wanting to wake Hannah or Hayden. “It’s not ungrateful of me to long for a life that makes me happy. As for saving me from myself, you obviously felt I needed it, but you never bothered to ask me.”

Emma closed the gap between them and took Cain’s hand, lowering it and kissing the palm. “I’ve made mistakes in my life, Mother, but my biggest was walking away from the only happiness I’ve known. Those are the things I have to live with, but my family has forgiven me. Perhaps it’s time for you to resolve the hurts or bad feelings you have because of your poor decisions because, frankly, the people around you are tired of paying the price for you.”

Cain stayed still and silent, knowing Emma had to fight this battle on her own. She watched closely as Carol opened her mouth for what Cain was sure was another barrage of hurtful comments, but the new player who was about to join the fun distracted her. She was almost sure it wasn’t anyone who worked for her, since they all seemed to have finally learned to follow orders.

“Not another word, Carol.”

Ross Verde had hastily dressed and rushed over when Emma had called him.

“This isn’t your business, and I’m tired of kowtowing to you on this issue. For God’s sake, Ross, Hannah lived with us. Don’t you think her soul deserves saving?”

“It’s a sin to lie, isn’t that what you’re always telling me? When have you ever kowtowed to anyone in your life, woman?” He ran his hand through his thinning hair and sighed tiredly. “I believe Hannah deserves to live her life with the people who love her, and if, for her own good, you’re never a part of her life, then that’s how it has to be. But I can’t speak for Cain and Emma.”

“What do you know? You’ve been sneaking over here turning that little girl against me.”

“I’ve been spending time playing with both of them because I’m their grandfather and I love them. And I’ve seen how well adjusted Hayden is. He’s a confident boy who’ll become an extraordinary man. But it’s late. We should go home and discuss this situation in private.”

Instead of moving to leave, Carol put her hand on the knob of the door to Hannah’s room.

Before she could open it, Cain curled long fingers around her wrist and squeezed just to the point of being painful. “If I were you, I’d listen to what my husband is telling me. Because you’ll be going in this room and taking my little girl anywhere over my dead body.”

Ross stepped closer and closed his hand around Carol’s bicep. “Come on, we’re going.” He pulled her to him, obviously relieved when Cain let her go. “Kids, I’m sorry about this. I’ll call you in the morning.”

“Drive safe, Daddy, and let us know if you need anything.”

They heard the heated muttering all the way out of the house, knowing the argument that would ensue would be monumental.

Once the front door closed, Emma fell against Cain in a silent plea to be held.

Ignoring the pain in her side, Cain bent, picked her up, and carried her back to their room.

“Why does she hate me so much?” The insecure little girl that still existed inside Emma wasn’t allowed out very often, but Cain heard her clearly in the question.

“I don’t think it has anything to do with you, my love. People like your mother just find it easier to hate people who are different for whatever reason they conjure up in their head, instead of trying to figure out what they hate about themselves.”

Emma squeezed her eyes shut, not crying yet. “You sound like a therapist.”

“Well, I’d love to get you on my couch at every given opportunity, but can you afford my fee?” The joke had its intended effect, and Emma ended up laughing against Cain’s chest.

“If I ask really nicely, maybe you’ll give me a job. Then I’ll be able to pay up. Because if you ask my mother, I’m really screwed together in the worst possible way.”

With little effort, Cain lifted Emma until she was draped over her. “You listen to me, Emma Casey. You’re a beautiful woman inside and out. That doesn’t happen overnight, so that means you were also a beautiful little girl. A beautiful and giving little girl who was wasted on your mother, so stop trying to figure out what you could’ve done differently to change Carol’s heart.”

Дата добавления: 2015-11-14