Page 25 of Defended By Bam
“That leads to the water. But it’s not a good place to swim. Lots of fishhooks and critters out there.”
“What kind of critters?” she asked with her mouth hanging open as she waited for an answer.
“Snakes, gators, hell sometimes wild hogs are around. Don’t go down that trail without me, okay?” I’d been caught off guardmyself by a few of those animals and there’s no way she’d outrun any of them. Wild hogs were especially aggressive, and faster than you’d think.
“Is it safe to be out here?” Brooklyn asked.
“You’re safe with me.”
Her eyes met mine again. Her chest rose with a deep breath before she cleared her throat. “Well, if you’re not around, is it safe for us to be out here? She’s full of energy and being cooped up too long will have her making us both crazy.”
“You can, but stay in the yard for sure. Have you ever shot a gun?”
She shook her head like I’d asked if she killed anyone. “No way. I only ever held one when Marshall left them laying around so I could put it up where she couldn’t reach.”
Taking another swig of beer and turning the steaks over I said, “Well, tomorrow after we get some stuff taken care of, I’m gonna teach you. Can’t live out in the woods without being able to protect yourself.”
She looked out in the yard as Sadie twirled around. “Maybe if I’d known how, I wouldn’t be here now.”
“You shouldn’t beat yourself up. Hell, I don’t stress over going to jail and I did that shit to myself. You didn’t ask for that man to be a piece of shit.”
“You’ve been to jail?”
“A few times. Hopefully I won’t be back, but…” Turning, I was worried to see if her expression changed. Instead of fear or disgust, she looked hurt.
“How could someone so sweet end up in a place like that?”
“Where were you when I had my sentencing?” I laughed.
“Did you hurt anyone?”
“I haven’t been arrested for hurting anyone.” That was true. But I wasn’t sure I wanted to tell this woman that there'd been plenty of men I’d hurt. All deserved it, though.
“I shouldn’t have asked that. It was so rude. Don’t listen to me,” she said as she shook her head and looked away.
“Hey, I get it. You don’t know me and here you are, drinking beer on the porch with me. I’d be curious, too.”
“You’re a stranger but you don’t seem like one.”
Turning around again, I locked eyes with her. “Well, I’m glad.”
“Do you make a habit of housing runaway women?”
My brows shot up. “No, you’re the first.” I pointed my tongs out toward Sadie. “And she’s the first kid I’ve spent more than two hours with my whole life. At least that I can remember.”
Her mouth dropped open and she smacked the arm of the chair. “You lie! You’re so good with her.”
“Did you just call me a liar?” I mocked offense.
She giggled again. It was a sweet sound. “I’m just saying. You seem like a natural. I wondered if you had kids.”
“Nope. Up until last year I was a bit of a loose cannon when it came to life and business. But I was always careful about that because of it.”
“Good to know you practice safe sex,” she said before she covered her mouth with her hand. “Oh my God, I need to stop drinking. Please ignore me.” Her hand then covered her face.
“Hey, nothing to be ashamed of. It’s not like I don’t know you’ve had sex or not.”
She sucked her teeth, but laughed. “I guess so. And obviously not as careful as you.”
