Page 28 of The Way Back Home
“You’ve already done—are doing—so much for me. Why?”
That was an excellent question.
He inclined his head. “Maybe I’m not doing it just for you.”
Teagan stared into his eyes, and it was like she was looking right into his soul. What did she see? The truth? He wasn’t sure what that was anymore. Regardless, he had a compelling need to take care of her, even if it was only temporary.
She nodded. “Fair enough. I guess it’s the least I can do.”
“That’s the spirit,” he said wryly, but inside, some of the tension in his chest eased.
After paying for their meal, Noah jogged out to the truck and grabbed their bags, then walked Teagan across the lot to the two-story motel. Teagan’s steps were slow as she hobbled beside him, validating the choice to spend the night. She needed to elevate that foot and get more ice on that shoulder. Perhaps he could even talk her into taking something stronger than ibuprofen.
Noah procured a room while Teagan hung back inthe shadows—something he was beginning to realize was as natural for her as breathing.
When his request for two beds was met with a raised brow, he told the clerk in a loud whisper, “She’s got RBD—REM sleep behavior disorder. Kicks the crap out of me in the middle of the night.”
Behind him, Teagan snorted.
“RBD? Seriously?” she asked minutes later as he opened the door to the room.
He grinned.
The room was as he’d expected. Simple, clean but shabby, and utilitarian. Two beds, as requested, with a table between them. A small desk, a dresser, and an older TV rounded out the basic furnishings.
He chuckled. “Mind if I take the bed closest to the door?”
“Afraid I’ll skip out on you?”
“Well, there is some precedent.”
Teagan sat down on the other bed, the relief of getting off her feet evident on her face. “This is different. You gave me a choice. I said I’d go with you, and I meant it.”
“Okay.” He grabbed the plastic ice bucket and bag from the dresser. “I’ll be right back. I’m going to get you ice for that shoulder.”
Teagan yawned. “I can get it.”
“Teagan,” he said on an exasperated exhale, “are you going to resist every time I try to help you?”
“Probably.” She yawned again, then grabbed her toothbrush and hobbled into the bathroom.
Well, at least she was honest.
When Noah returned with the ice, he was relieved to find Teagan still there. The TV was on at a low volume, and she was sound asleep. Gently and with care, he wrapped a towel around the bag of ice and used one of the pillows from his bed to prop it behind her shoulder.
“Thanks,” she murmured sleepily.
“You’re welcome,” he whispered back. Then, on impulse, he brushed her hair away from her face and added, “You’re safe. I won’t let anything happen to you. I promise.”
She hummed softly, her lips curled slightly at the edges, and she went right back to sleep.
CHAPTER FOURTEEN
NOAH
A door slammed somewhere down the hall, followed by the hum of rolling luggage on threadbare carpet and muffled voices. Noah blinked awake, disoriented for a second—until he remembered where he was. And who he was with.
He turned his head. Teagan’s bed was rumpled and … empty.
