Blake
I couldn’t help but stare at her. She was beautiful. It’s that kind of beauty that’s natural. Brooke could wear a paper bag dress with no makeup and her hair a mess and she’d still be beautiful. I’d seen her at her worst. Now she was slowly becoming the woman who she was always meant to be, and every time I saw her, I wished for just five minutes in a room with her husband.
“How’s Ava been doing since you brought her home?” I knew talking about Ava was a safe topic. It was something that she didn’t clam up about.
She smiled and glanced up from where she’d been staring at her cup. “She’s been doing great. She’s sleeping more, and eating like crazy. It’s hard for me to leave her to do anything. I don’t know what I’m going to do when I have to send her to daycare.”
“That’s great. Don’t rush things. Enjoy your time now. You’ve got plenty of it. Donna loves having you as an office manager. She talks about it all the time at the hospital.” I laughed lightly as I remembered Donna going on and on the other day about what a lifesaver Brooke has been. She told a story about how she couldn’t find a bill that needed to be paid, only to find out that Brooke had already mailed it.
“I like it there. It’s the first place I’ve felt safe, and had real friends.” She nodded as she sipped her coffee. We sat there in quiet conversation until we’d both finished our drinks.
It was getting dark out, and the wind was starting to pick up. “You ready to head back? It’s looking like it might snow.”
“Snow? Already?” Isn’t it kinda early?” She watched out the window like a small child would.
“It’s a little early, but I remember getting snow early in years past.” I stood and reached for her empty cup to toss it out.
“The days all ran together in that house. I tried to not think about what day it was. It just made time go slower,” she muttered as she stood and slipped her coat back on.
“I’m sorry.” I cringed. I didn’t know what else to say.
“It’s ok.” She followed me as we weaved through the tables and back to the door. I pushed it open, and she stepped outside and turned slightly to wait for me. After tossing the cups into the can by the door, I joined her on the sidewalk. “Thanks for this.” She smiled softly.
“It was nothing.” I lifted my arms slightly.
“It was everything to me. This is the first time a man has been nice to me that I won’t be punished for. Warren was a jealous man. If anyone was nice to me, especially a man, he accused me of cheating. I’ve never been able to experience what we just did.” She wrapped her arms around her middle and shivered.
“Come here.” I motioned her closer. “Is this ok?” I gently placed my arm around her back and pulled her closer. She went stiff but I waited. “Tell me if this isn’t ok.” I looked her right in the eyes and waited.
“You’re warm,” she murmured as her body slowly relaxed against my side.
“That was the idea. You’ve been shivering since we stepped outside.” I started to move us down the sidewalk.
“Thanks, Blake.” She leaned her head against my shoulder and sighed. I didn’t say anything, just continued to walk although every part of me wanted to say something. I wanted to give her this. Her perfect evening; something she said she’d never had.
We walked in silence back to the house, and when we got to the steps, I stopped. This wasn’t a date, at least for her it wasn’t. Going inside wouldn’t do anything but make it awkward. “Thanks for coming tonight. I enjoyed it.” I released her and waited.
“Me too.” She smiled.
“Maybe next time we can get something to eat.” I stepped back, giving her space.
“I’d like that.” She moved up the steps.
“Goodnight, Brooke.” I waited.
“Night, Blake.” She opened the door and disappeared inside. I stood there just staring at the house for several minutes. I wondered what she was doing. Was she talking to the other girls? Was she spending time with Ava? Was she thinking about me, and the friendship I’d proposed? I wasn’t paying attention to my surroundings as I turned to walk back to the hospital or I would have been more prepared.
“Stay away from my wife.” It was a deep, menacing voice. I turned just in time to come face to face with a fist heading straight for my right cheek. I stumbled back and blinked several times as I stared at him. He wasn’t a big guy. We’d met the first time he’d brought Brooke into the ER. “She’s mine, I know it and she knows it. You keep your fucking hands off her!” He turned and stormed away as I pulled my phone from my pocket to dial my brother. Warren wasn’t supposed to be within a hundred feet of Brooke, and the front lawn of the house was definitely within a hundred feet.
Chapter 12
Blake
As I made my way back to the hospital, snow flurries began to fall. My face was throbbing, and I could feel my eye swelling shut. ‘Great. I’m on call tonight for the ER. How can one perform surgery if one can’t see?’ When I reached the ambulance bay, I pulled my cell from my coat pocket.
“S’up?” Cal ‘s voice sounded from the other end of the line.
“I need to file a report.” I sighed. “I was assaulted tonight.”
“What?” Cal suddenly got serious. “When? How?”
“I’m
