Page 49 of Mountain Refuge

Gertie came over to the table with a plate of bacon and eggs for Belle and a bowl of oatmeal for Lucas. I took the oatmeal out of grabbing range while I got up to get a spoon.

“You’re welcome, sweetie. It’s nice to know, even after all this time, I can still be surprised by some things.” She gave me a knowing look.

I met it with a grin of my own. My daughter certainly was unique.

Belle was mostly through her breakfast, and I had more oatmeal on me than in Lucas’s belly, when Corbin came stomping into the cabin. He was so tall that any doorway was a hazard for his head.

Belle’s breakfast was abandoned. Maybe I shouldn’t be so concerned about her attaching herself unhealthily to Brooke,given how attached she already was to Corbin. The two had a special bond. I couldn’t find fault in that. Especially when the relationship was so beneficial for both parties. Gertie had told me in confidence that she’d never seen Corbin so happy as he was around Belle.

When it came down to it, I knew Corbin was big enough and strong enough to protect Belle from anything. I viewed him as her bodyguard. I didn’t have to worry so much about her when she was with him.

Maybe I was actually transferring my concerns about getting overly attached to Brooke myself onto Belle. That woman was like a drug, and I was just pining for my next fix. How could I protect my children if I was constantly wanting to be with her?

Shit. I stopped that thought. I was doing it again, creating excuses as to why not instead of concentrating on why I should. I needed to remember that she had choices too. She was a grown woman who was intelligent enough to make her own sound decisions. If she chose to be with me, understanding the risks involved, I needed to respect that.

I also needed to respect her decision if she chosenotto be with me.

Lucas slapped his hand down in the oatmeal bowl, knocking it out of my hand. “Dragons!” I let out in place of a curse.

I looked up at the ceiling, asking the Lord for patience as oatmeal dripped down my shirt to my leg and onto the floor.

Gertie quickly came over with a towel. Lucas burst into laughter. Corbin walked in carrying Belle over his shoulder like she was a sack of potatoes. It was chaos, but it was familiar. Corbin met my eyes, and we both started laughing too. We were making such a ruckus that we didn’t hear the motor outside until it was nearly here.

Everyone quieted down except for Lucas. Gertie quicklytook control of the baby. Corbin put Belle down, grabbing his shotgun from above the refrigerator where small hands couldn’t reach it. I didn’t like that there were guns in the house, but Corbin went through where each one was with me and I approved of their locations. We also had a talk with Belle about gun safety.

Corbin cocked the gun before heading for his front door. I ushered Belle behind me with Gertie and Lucas. My heart was pounding so hard, it likely resembled a drum line. I needed to calm down to keep my wits about me, but I could feel the start of a panic attack coming on. How could we have been found? What had we done wrong? Who had found us? What would happen next? If it was the police, I had a chance to plead my case, but I’d likely never see my children again. If it was Gunther… Well, I still would never see my children again.

I planted myself in front of my family, knowing I would do everything possible to keep them safe. Including Gertie.

Corbin took a glance out the window and immediately his shoulders sagged. He lowered the muzzle of the gun before turning to me. “It’s for you, lover boy.”

At those words, my panic ceased. No one had found us. My children were still safe.

I came forward just as Corbin opened the door for Brooke. She came in, a smile coming across her face when she saw me.

My heart started pounding hard again, but for an entirely different reason this time.

And then I realized she wasn’t smiling at me because she was happy to see me. No, her smile was full of humor. She tried to cover her mouth with her hand, but it was too late. I’d seen it.

That’s when I recalled the oatmeal. I looked down at myself and cringed. Oatmeal covered my shirt from my left nipple down to my stomach and onto my pant leg. I was barefoot,despite the cold flooring. It wouldn’t surprise me if I had some on my face or in my hair too.

I looked back up and squared my shoulders. “Well, I’d like to see you try to feed a ten-month-old who’s teething.”

She held up her hands and took a step back. “That’s okay. I’ll leave it to the professionals.”

Belle came running out of the kitchen. “Brooke! You’re back!”

Brooke nodded. “Yeah, I came to talk to your dad.” When she saw Belle’s face start to fall, she quickly added, “And maybe play some games with you later?”

Belle immediately agreed and then ran off to her room to get dressed for the day. Brooke was wearing a heavy turtleneck sweater and leggings. I assumed the leggings were lined given the briskness of the morning. On her feet were work boots. They didn’t go with her outfit per se, but the boots totally went with her personality.

Corbin nudged her shoulder. “Why don’t you and I head outside to get some work done while lover boy gets himself presentable?”

My cheeks flushed and I scratched my nose with my middle finger. Corbin just smiled. Brooke followed him out the door after a lingering look back at me.

I turned. Gertie was behind me with Lucas still in her arms. He was rifling through her hair as if searching for buried treasure. “I’m happy for you.”

“You don’t think it’s risky and foolish, given my situation?”

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