Page 8 of Hide My Heart
“I can’t deal with their lecturing, and the entire town will look down on us.”
“Isn’t Christianity all about forgiveness?”
No words come from my tight throat.My dad’s all about hellfire and brimstone preaching. He’d call me a whore.
“You okay, Amber?”
Not really, but I’ll have to think of another plan.“Can you find me a babysitter? Preferably someone who doesn’t speak English. Someone who doesn’t know me.”
Nate crosses one of his legs on the bed and points to Beck. “I know it’s none of my business, but who’s the little guy’s father?”
“No one you want to know.” I shiver with chills deep in my bones.
“He doesn’t know about Beck?”
“He knows I was pregnant. He wanted Beck dead. It’s best he doesn’t know.”
Nate’s brows darken and his body tenses. “I’ll help you.”
“You truly will?” The weight of the last few days slough off my shoulders. Three words,I’ll help you, and suddenly I’m not so alone in the world.
Nate scratches his beard and shrugs. “I’m still your friend, aren’t I?”
“Of course, you are. Maybe I can exchange babysitting for housecleaning or cooking.” Sadly, it’s the only thing I can do—that and make cappuccino. But no one in Divine drinks fancy frappes or lattes.
“I’ll think of something,” Nate murmurs. “Don’t worry.”
Beck finishes nursing and detaches from the nipple. I flip him over my shoulder on top of the towel, rubbing and patting his back. My arms and legs ache with exhaustion, and the pit of my stomach feels like lead. Rocking my baby has me yearning for the bed, the pillow, sleep, and oblivion.
I’m safe tonight. Nate will see to that. He’ll never betray me. He’s my friend. It’s great to have a friend.
A strong, warm hand rubs the back of my shoulder. “I’ll go with your plan, but we have to let my mother and girlfriend know. I can’t lie to them.”
“You sure they won’t talk?”
“I’ll tell them it’s important. I’m sure they’ll keep their mouths shut.”
Whoever this girlfriend is, she’s not going to like Beck. As for his mother, she’s central switchboard on the sinner’s side of town while my mother burns up the ears of the saints, gossiping via prayer requests.
“No, it’s too dangerous.” My heart seizes, and a spear of adrenaline jolts through my veins. “If word gets to Hunter.”
“Hunter? You mean Beck’s dad. Is he from around here?”
“He has a cabin in the woods north of here, close to the Canadian border. He picked me up hitchhiking, so he knows I’m from around here.”
“And he’s dangerous?”
I gulp and nod. “Maybe this isn’t a good idea. Maybe I should leave Beck somewhere else. Let me stay tonight and I’ll leave in the morning. Find another way. I don’t want to cause you any problems.”
“You’re no trouble.” He squeezes my shoulder and turns toward the door. “Room’s on the house. As far as the night clerk is concerned, no one checked in. See you in the morning.”
The morning? He’s coming back? But what for?
He’s gone before I have a chance to ask.
FIVE
Nate
