Page 37 of Holding His Hostage
“We’re not far from civilization, believe it or not. The address of the cabin is in my wallet.”
She picked it up from the console and opened the billfold, doing her best to ignore the outline of what was clearly a condom. She did an internet search on his phone and found he was right, there was a rental car company less than ten miles from here. She placed the call, wondering against her better judgment when he would end up using that condom, and with whom. “They can be at the cabin in an hour.”
He nodded, turning off the main road and onto a more narrow one that followed a stream, its water rushing past snow-covered ground and snow-laden trees. The camper rounded a wide turn, a log cabin with a wraparound porch coming into view.
Jo unbuckled her seat belt. “This is beautiful.”
“It is.” She turned to him, his stare heavy and pointed. He wasn’t talking about the cabin, he was talking about her. Her face grew hot. How was she going to stay clear of him once the children were no longer traveling with them? One single look, and she was melting into the ground.
He moved to get out, breaking their connection. “Come on, Buckley, I’ll show you around.”
19
Joanne pulled a set of plaid flannel sheets out of the linen closet. Sloan said Wiseman’s cabin was now an Airbnb and well-stocked and ready for guests. “Fiona should be okay sleeping here with April. But if she wakes up during the night, I usually just let her climb in bed with me. Don’t judge.” She tossed the fitted sheet over the bed, and Evelyn grabbed the opposite corner, pulling it around the mattress.
“I wouldn’t dream of it, dear.” Evelyn winked.
“She’s been having nightmares lately.”
“I imagine so. You’ve all been through a great deal. I’m sorry for your loss.”
“Thank you. We were separated, but it’s still hard.” The anxiety Jo had been carrying deep in the muscles of her shoulders and back eased a bit. “Thank you for doing this. The kids really need some downtime, just to sit around and watch TV, maybe make some cookies, even if it’s just for a few days.”
“It seems like you could use some of that, too.”
Jo blew out air. “As soon as I’m able. I’m sorry about your trip.”
“There’ll be other trips.” She waved her hand. “Sloan filled me in a bit. Hopefully you can find what you need more easily without the children tagging along.”
“I’m not used to being without them.” Jo sat on the edge of the bed. “Even after David and I split up, he’d only take them for the day. They spent every single night under my roof with me.”
Evelyn sat beside her. “Every night?”
“Except for the occasional sleepover at a friend’s house for April.” She hung her head. “Stupid to get upset about it.”
Evelyn’s arm came around her shoulders. “Oh, it’s not stupid at all. I remember when Sloan was little, I refused to let his father put him in his crib at bedtime. I wanted him next to me. That boy slept in a bassinet until he couldn’t fit in it anymore.” She stroked Jo’s hair. “I’ll bet you’re a wonderful mother.”
How many times had this woman acted as a mother to her? Jo’s own mom had died when Jo was four. She had only a handful of memories of her, and none of them distinct. But Evelyn had been different, forever offering up her sound advice and comfortable shoulder whenever Jo had needed it. “April hates me. Lucas misses his father, and I have no idea what to do with that.”
“And Fiona?”
“She loves me, but give her time.”
Evelyn chuckled. “That sounds about par for the course. Just keep your chin up and know, the one thing they’ll remember most is love.”
Jo sat upright and wiped her nose. “Thanks, Ev. I really appreciate the pep talk.”
“Cut yourself some slack. I imagine it can’t be easy to be around my son, either.”
Jo bit her lip, needing to talk honestly with this woman, yet unsure if she should. “Did Sloan tell you I asked him to marry me before he went in the Navy?”
“He did.”
“He wouldn’t do it. I didn’t understand why, and I was so hurt and angry.”
“He was devastated when you two broke up. And when he found out you’d married David… well, let’s just say it wasn’t pretty. He’s never been quite the same, you know. He’s different when you’re around. I was watching him talking with you in the RV, and I think it was the first time I’ve seen him truly happy in a very long time.”
“We were fighting.”
