Page 15 of Defended By Bam
She nodded as my door opened.
“Someone is up,” I said as I climbed out, not taking his hand this time. Knowing we were at his house and alone, it seemed more intimate, and I wasn’t sure how I felt about that. Itshouldseem inappropriate, but that certainly wasn’t how I’d describe what happened to me every time he touched me.
Sadie unbuckled herself and scooted to the end of the seat, so I helped her out. She took my hand and we stood by the truck while he reached inside and grabbed my one bag and his. He also grabbed the grocery bag with snacks he took from Allie’s house.
After he shut the door to the truck, he started walking, so we followed him inside. The yard was mostly dirt with a few patches of grass, and besides a detached garage, there weren’t any other structures around. No neighbors in sight.
“Watch your step,” he said as we walked inside.
A light came on and I stood, keeping Sadie close. Looking around, I was surprised to see a tidy home. I kept our house neat, but no thanks to Marshall. Thinking about how he’d fare without me there to be his maid, I had to fight a laugh.
Bama must have noticed because he asked, “Something funny?”
“Just thinking about something. Is there a bathroom she can use?”
He walked a few steps, waving us behind him and he turned the light on. “Right in here. And here’s your bag in case you need to freshen up, or whatever.”
“Go on in sweet girl and don’t forget to wash your hands.”
When she shut the door, I turned around. “She needs to get back to sleep soon. Should we take the couch?”
Bama’s face scrunched up. “No, you two will be right there,” he said, pointing over my shoulder. The hallway light gave a glimpse into a bedroom.
“I can’t take your room. This is your house. She and I can have a little campout. If we can get a couple of blankets–”
“I’m not letting you and your kid share my tiny ass couch. You’ll stay in there. That bed can fit you both. I have a place to sleep.”
His dark eyes were serious and I decided it was pointless to argue with him.
The bathroom door opened and Sadie rubbed her eyes as she came out. “All done, Mommy. Can I have some water?”
“No, you know the rule. First thing in the morning but not at nighttime. Let’s go right in here,” I said as I guided her to the bedroom.
I didn’t turn the light on since there was enough light to see where I was walking. After pulling the thin blanket down, I helped her take her shoes off before she climbed into the bed.
“Mommy’s going to potty and talk to our new friend for a few, but I’ll be in here soon, okay?”
“Okay, Mommy. But will you leave the door open?”
I brushed her hair from her face, sighing in relief. “Yep. Now close your eyes and try to go back to sleep. Love you.”
“Love you, Mommy.”
Standing up, I smiled down at her. It was so odd to feel so at peace in the midst of everything, but for the first time in a long time, I wasn’t worried that she wouldn’t get a good night’s sleep.
Honoring my word, I left the door open and went down the hall to use the bathroom. I’d been holding it a long time but didn’t want to ask to go at the hotel.
When I was done, I found the living room empty but heard something around the corner. Following the sound, I found Bama putting drinks in the fridge.
“You hungry? Thirsty?” he asked, holding out a soda.
“Got anything stronger than that in here?”
He opened the freezer and pulled out a mason jar, as well as a bottle. “You want to take the edge off or breathe fire?”
“Is that moonshine?” I asked, looking at the mason jar.
He held it up. “Yep. Buddy back in Georgia hooks me up. You want some? Apple pie flavored.”
