Page 89 of The Redemption of Remy St. Claire

Physical pain brought her out of her distressed musings of the past. Shutting off the water, she hung her head. Chances were she’d never be able to resolve this because she faced a tangible reminder every day.

When she opened the shower stall, the cold air hit her skin and she sucked in a breath of pain.

Get a grip.

The real question was, why had she shared her experience with Rusty? No one knew. Her parents hadn’t even known, although she’d always wondered if her mother’d suspected. Deanne, however, had respected a grown daughter’s privacy. Sometimes she wondered if she would’ve healed faster by sharing her pain. Sharing her shame.

Would her husband treat her any differently? Did she want him to? They had a cordial relationship. They’d been getting closer. She’d been learning to trust him.

What on earth was I thinking?

I was raw.

Facing down a rapist today had depleted whatever reserves she’d built since her parents’ death.

She applied skin cream that soothed the pain. The lotion cooled her red, raw skin.Stupid.So stupid to let it get to her after all this time.

Her watch showed that almost an hour had passed since she’d ungraciously left her husband sitting on their bed.

Easing into her pajamas, she tried to decide whether she was hungry or nauseous.

Hungry.She’d skipped lunch, and breakfast was a long-distant memory. She needed sustenance, and greeting Mira and Calleigh was of the utmost importance. Oh, no, she hadn’t thought about them once since she’d come home. What kind of parent was she?

When she emerged from the bedroom, she spotted Olivia sitting on the floor with the girls, reading a book.

Bianca stood to greet her.

When the dog moved, the girls looked up, favoring her with wide smiles.

Without thought, she dropped to her knees and held open her arms. Two little girls and one big dog launched themselves toward her, almost knocking her over. It felt so good—to hold on tightly to something beloved.

Glancing up, she met Rusty’s gaze. She then ducked her head to prevent him from seeing the emotions pouring out of her.

Love.Love for these innocent babies, so trusting in her arms.

“How about a movie?”

Cheers erupted at Rusty’s suggestion.

Mira and Calleigh left Remy’s embrace, toddling over to him.

When Remy and Olivia stood, he held out his hands. “Olivia, you deserve a break. Remy, you need to eat.”

She barely had a chance to argue before he, the girls, and the dog left for the movie. Undoubtedly a Disney classic. Thank God for Disney.

“Subtle.” Olivia laughed. She reached for Remy’s hand and tugged her toward the kitchen. “I tried a new stir-fry recipe. The girls gobbled it up, but I think those two would eat anything. You guys have done a great job raising them—most kids are such picky eaters.” She must’ve caught Remy’s expression of distress as she hastened to clarify, “I mean your parents raised Calleigh…I mean Rusty and Mira…why don’t I dish up the food?”

Despite herself, she smiled. Olivia had a perpetually upbeat attitude, and that awed Remy. She salivated as the younger woman lifted the lids and heaped the food on plates. The aroma alone was to die for.

Olivia poured two glasses of milk and joined her at the table.

Remy was already several bites into her food before she paused. “This is amazing. How can I thank you? I mean, we’re paying you to watch the girls, but I’m pretty sure cooking isn’t in your job description.”

“Oh, I’m off the clock. Besides, I’m always trying out new recipes on unsuspecting victims.” She winked. “Hopefully I did okay.”

“More than okay.” Remy wanted to address the fact she wasn’t paying the young woman, but held her tongue. Rusty and Olivia had an arrangement, and she wasn’t meddling in that. Suddenly, a thought occurred. “What did you mean when you saidsubtle?”

Olivia shrugged but she glanced back toward the family room, maybe making sure they were alone. “Only that I think there’s something Rusty wants us to talk about but is too discreet to come out and say it.”

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