Page 29 of Saving Grace
“No, I didn’t. I guess I should before I head over there. But I think he’s going to Kelsey’s.”
Declan chuckles knowingly. “Alright. I need to get back to the barn to at least put those others on the hotwalker. You sure you’re good?”
I nod. “Promise.”
“You’re welcome to come hang out at the barn or head over to the house if you’d rather. Kristen and the pup are there.”
“I know, Dec.” But I won’t be taking him up on his offer. I’ve already missed so much time with Kaia, even if she won’t remember these days. If I have the opportunity to spend time with her, I’ll choose her. Always.
Declan lets himself out as I locate my phone to call Gavin. He picks up on the third ring.
When his grumbly voice comes on the line, I start talking. “Hey, sorry about not getting back to you sooner. It’s been a crazy day.”
“No worries. Just wanted to tell you that Leila probably won’t be up for much.”
My stomach churns as I immediately consider all the things that could’ve gone wrong today. “She okay? Is she hurt? Kaia?” I ramble on, but Gavin cuts me off before I can ask more.
“She had a small panic attack earlier, and it set her on edge. The adrenaline crash hit hard, so she’s napping.”
“Kaia?” I ask, already grabbing my keys and making my way out the door.
“Playing with her toes right now.”
“On my way.”
Chapter 14
Leila
“Knock, knock.”
The soft padding of feet approaches my bed. I continue to face the wall, my navy weighted blanket pulled to my chin. It feels like there’s a cinder block pressing against my chest and a post-panic-attack headache pulses against my temples.
My bed dips before Drew’s fingers gently massage my scalp. “Hey, sunshine. How ya feeling?”
I keep quiet, knowing he doesn’t want the answer I’d give. He’s witnessed enough of my post-panic episodes to know how closed-off I get.
In Drew fashion, he doesn’t let my silence faze him, just keeps talking like I’m not ignoring his presence. “Your brother said he’d take Kaia for a stroll while we get you into a warm shower and decompress.”
I sink deeper into the mattress, not wanting to face him. What he must think of me as a mother, passing our kid off to her uncle because I can’t handle my own mental health.
Drew’s hand tightens in my hair as he pulls lightly. It isn’t painful, just enough to regain my focus.
“Come on, sunshine. Up you go,” he says as he peels my blanket from my grip. He gingerly rolls me to face him, and the worry in his blue eyes hits deep. He shouldn’t need to worry about me like this.
His hands grasp mine and tug until I’m on my feet. With an arm around my waist, he leads me to the bathroom where steam already billows from the shower, a lavender shower scent spreading the relaxing aroma though the room. Drew lets go of me long enough to test the water, and I immediately lean against the sink.
When he turns back to me, I do my best to force a smile. “It’s a great idea, but I’m not steady enough to stand in the shower right now. Maybe later.” I turn to start making my way to bed when Drew’s corded muscles wrap around my waist.
“Standing under running water always helps you recharge. This one clearly hit harder than you let on to your brother, and Ishouldtake you over my knee for lying to him about it. As it is”—he turns me to face him before brushing back the section of hair that slipped free during my burrowing session—“you need this. So, you can either get in on your own, or I can step in with you.”
My cheeks heat at the image of past showers. Of his hands gliding over every inch of my skin. The press of his body to mine.
Drew’s hand squeezes my neck, the pressure grounding me, keeping me from slipping too deep into the past. I try to brush off the emotions that surge with the memories, but the joke falls flat. “Are you sure you don’t just want to see me naked?”
Instead of shying away, Drew raises an eyebrow as his lips quirk up in a smirk. “I’m always up for admiring your beauty, sunshine, but you’re deflecting.”
I snort. “Hilarious. You can’t honestly tell me you want to see this two-month postpartum body in all it’s stretched, fatty, unsexy glory.”
