Page 34 of Fractured Hope
Max jotted down notes in a little notepad as Seb went over everything he remembered. I had to mention Bodhi and some of his situation and past so Max knew what we were likely dealing with.
“I’ll need to talk to Bodhi. He’ll know more than you guys and will be able to provide crucial information that could help us track this Derek person down before things escalate any further.”
I really didn’t want to involve Bodhi, but I guess I had no choice.
17
BODHI
I couldn’t rememberthe last time I’d slept in.
After Atticus had left, I’d snuggled into the sheets smelling like sex, sandalwood, and something uniquely him, and I’d fallen asleep happy. I woke up at about nine o’clock and thought about what I could do to pass the time. I wanted to spoil Atticus, so I got ready to do some baking. I missed being able to create something sweet and delicious.
I wandered into the kitchen, then checked through the cupboards to see what he had so I could bake. All the classic ingredients were available, so I decided to make my favorite chocolate chip cookies. I enjoyed baking because I found it soothing. Making these cookies was second nature. Once I found all the right equipment, I turned on some music and relaxed into the familiar process.
I’d just set the first tray in the oven when the front door banged open, making me jump. “Someone’s in a hurry,” I called out. “I decided to bake.” I turned to find Atticus, Seb, and a strange man in the living room. They were all staring at me.Atticus looked terrified. Seb was completely serious without his usual smile. “I hope you like....”
Well, this wasn’t good.
“What’s going on?” I asked, cautiously taking a shuffling step toward Atticus but scared to move fully into the room. I flicked my gaze to the man with them. He looked like he could be old enough to be their dad. He had closely cropped brown hair flecked with gray and a few extra age lines on his face, especially around his eyes. He was tall and solidly built, even if he was a little soft around the middle. Authority radiated from him as he stood soldier straight. Unease settled over me.
“Atticus?” My voice shook. “What’s going on?”
“Bodhi.” He strode over to me and wrapped me in a tight hug, nearly crushing me. “This is Max.” He gestured at the older man and guided me toward the living room. “Now, please don’t freak out. Max here was our pa’s best friend and also happens to be the local sheriff.”
I froze in place, ice filling my veins.What the fuck was the sheriff doing here!?
“W-w-what?” I tried to get air into my lungs. “Why?” I glanced at Atticus imploringly.
Did Derek find me?
Did he twist things to force me to go back?
Is the sheriff here to take me away?
It was all too much.
“No, no! I can’t.” I backed out of Atticus’s arms and into the kitchen.
“Bodhi wait!”
“No, no, no, no.” I turned and moved as fast as I could to the back door that was off the kitchen.
“Let me explain!”
I rushed outside and onto the deck. I ran, very awkwardly, down the steps and around the side of the house.
How can this be happening?Nausea overwhelmed me.
“Bodhi, please stop!”
Bracing my good hand on the side of the house, I stumbled to a standstill, and I leaned over and lost the measly contents of my stomach. I jumped when a solid hand landed on my back but was too weak to turn as another wave of nausea took hold. I heaved but only bile came out.
“I’ve got you.” Atticus rubbed my back and moved my hair off my face. “Don’t worry. We’ll keep you safe. Max is family. He’ll believe you. It won’t be the same as last time, I promise.”
I was in shock. I was exhausted, weak, and trembling, and I didn’t know what to do. I turned into Atticus’s arms and held on to him like a lifeline. Trusting him, I let him slowly guide me back to the house and onto the deck. He let me sit on my favorite Adirondack chair.
“Seb, can you grab me some water and tell Max to give us a sec?” he called over my shoulder.
