Page 34 of Ruined
“I know, baby.” Wrapping my arm around Molly, I pulled her close. “Tell you what…as soon as she feels better we’ll invite her over for dinner and then you two can draw up a storm.”
Her blue eyes brightened so much they could probably light up the night sky. “Promise?”
The moment I said it, I knew I was getting myself into serious shit. I was already having a hard time getting this woman out of my mind; now, I was planting her in my daughter’s mind too. The warning bells were loud, still I opened my mouth and the word ‘promise’ came out.
After a kiss, a hug and another kiss, I pushed to my feet. As I made my way back to the truck, I hoped Zoe was still there. I was about to push open the front door when Kenzie hollering my name halted me. Looking over my shoulder, I saw her hurrying toward me.
“Is Zoe all right?”
Scrubbing a hand over my neck, I answered honestly, “I don’t know.”
“Eli, there’s something—” Kenzie pursed her lips together while shutting her eyes. A sigh blew over her lips when she opened them again. “Take care of her, please?”
I wanted to ask her what she really wanted to tell me, but the need to get to Zoe was so much stronger than my need to know. With a quick nod, I pushed through the door and hurried down the steps. I felt my shoulders relax the moment I saw her sitting in the cab of my truck. Her head was bent like she was looking at something in her lap, I prayed that it wasn’t that damned phone again.
The instant I reached the driver side, I had to take a second to catch my breath before I hopped in. “You ready?” Again, I spoke with a calmness I did not feel. My heart was bouncing wildly in my chest while every breath I took filled my lungs with her. She was close, all I wanted to do was reach over and touch her.
I couldn’t do that though.
The truck rumbled to life as I turned the key in the ignition, I stole a quick glance at the woman beside me before I backed out of the driveway. She was looking out her window, her teeth worrying her lower lip. Again, all I wanted to do was take her hand and reassure her that everything would be fine, even if I couldn’t be certain that it would be.
Gripping the steering wheel tighter, I concentrated on the road ahead. We drove in silence, the kind of silence that stretched to make way for questions I was certain I had no hope of getting answers to.
We turned onto the dirt road and I almost sighed with relief when Zoe’s soft voice reached my ears. “Thank you.”
I was afraid to look at her, afraid that the instant I did I’d stop the truck, take her face in my hands and beg her to tell me what I can do to take the fear out of her eyes. That was why I kept my focus straight ahead. “Don’t mention it. As sheriff, it’s my duty to make sure everyone in my town is safe.” Biting my tongue, I cursed the word-vomit that I spewed out.
“Right... duty.” Her mumbled words were soft, I got the impression that they weren’t meant for my ears.
I threw the truck in park and this time there was no hesitation, I reached across and gripped Zoe’s wrist. “That came out wrong…” I felt a frown form while my eyes roamed over her confused face. “I’m not here out of duty. You looked…”scared“—troubled, and I wanted to help.”
It was hard to miss the question burning in her eyes. However, I was grateful that she didn’t voice it because I couldn’t tell her why. Hell, I still needed to figure that out for myself.
Regarding me for a moment, she sucked her lower lip into her mouth, then she nodded tentatively as she pulled her arm free and climbed out of the truck. Switching off the ignition, I hurried after her.
I watched her retrieve a key from a butterfly that was mounted on the wall, she stuck it in the keyhole and then paused. “Uh…thanks again.” Zoe looked everywhere except at me.
Out of their own accord, my lips lifted into a grin. “Oh no, sunshine, I ain’t leavin’.” I jerked my head toward the door. “You gonna open that or are we camping on the porch tonight?”
“You’re staying? Why?” She sounded incredulous.
Taking a step forward, I shoved my hands in my pockets to keep from reaching for her. “Something spooked you back there, and as much as I would like to know what, I don’t think you’re gonna tell me.” Another step took me close enough to see her work down a swallow. “So…I’m staying until Brett and Kenzie get home. Okay?”
I’d expected her to tell me to piss off, imagine my surprise when relief washed over her face. For the first time since she’d stormed out of my brother’s house, a smile tugged at her lips. Man, it almost stopped my heart. With a pensive look, she studied me for a moment before she turned to unlock the door. “You’d better come in then.”
