“That’s quite the story.”She plucked a cucumber from her plate and put it in her mouth.Her gaze drifted to the clock on the wall.
“Not much longer.”He gave her a reassuring smile.Before they’d eaten, he’d texted Ghost with an updated photo of Bray as well as a shot of Keetan.He’d also given him the address of Natalie’s apartment, where the kidnapping had happened.He’d explained the situation to his friend and emphasized that finding the little boy was top priority.
Natalie nodded, her eyes downcast.
“Why don’t we look around?”He stood, picking up his plate.
She rose to her feet.“Sure.I’m done.”
He gathered her dish before she could take it to the kitchen.After placing both plates in the sink, he moved around the island to meet her.The wooden floors stretched to a large sliding door that led outside.On the big lawn was a playset and a swing.Red outdoor furniture brightened the back porch.Rather than stay outside, they made their way back to the hallway to get settled.He scooped up their bags, which sat by the stairs, and ascended the steps.
He’d run out of small talk, so he silently led the way to the main bedroom at the end of the hall.The bright-white linens with pink and gold accents gave off a feminine vibe.He set her bag down near the bed.“Why don’t you take this room?It has an en suite bathroom.And the kids’ room is right next door.”
She sat on the bed and gazed around the tidy space.Her long wavy hair hung almost to her ribs.The food must have done her some good because her shoulders didn’t sink forward as much and some color had returned to her face.Despite the turmoil she was going through, she was still beautiful enough to make his heart ache.
She frowned.“Where are you going to sleep?”
The third bedroom was an office slash workout room, which meant he wasn’t going to get a comfy bed.Not that it mattered.“I’ll take the couch.”
“Oh, gosh.That’ll be so uncomfortable.”
He folded his arms across his chest so he wouldn’t do anything stupid like sit next to her and hold her.“I’ve slept in far worse conditions.I’ll be fine.Why don’t you rest your eyes for a few minutes?”
She stared up at him, forlorn.“How much longer until your friends get here?”Her pouty lips turned down a bit at the corners, and he was reminded all over again of how hard he’d fallen for her in Fargo.
“Within the hour.”
She blew a breath through tight lips.“Okay.I don’t think I can sleep, but maybe I’ll shower then put my feet up.”
“Good call.I’m going to place a grocery order and wait for the guys.”He went to the door and pulled it partway closed then paused.“Holler if you need anything.”
She nodded and swept her feet onto the bed before curling up on her side.
He closed the door and made his way downstairs.
He’d never been one to make promises, nor had he ever broken one.So he sure as hell hoped he could stay true to his word and bring their son home.She’d never be the same if he didn’t, and hell, neither would he.
CHAPTER 9
Natalie woke witha start.She bolted upright, memories hitting her like bullets from an assault rifle.
Bray.
Everything came rushing back.A moan leaked from her mouth as she planted her feet on the smooth hardwood floor and placed her palm against her pounding chest.
It was real.Each horrific moment in the last eighteen hours had been real.She sucked in a breath and her gaze landed on the clock on the nightstand.She’d slept for half an hour, though it felt like far more time had passed.Too much time.
She made her way to the en suite bathroom.A pretty soaker tub sat to her right, and a glassed-in shower was positioned next to it.Indecision took hold.The selfish part of her wanted to get clean.The motherly instinct part condemned her for even thinking about anything other than how to get their son back.
Their son.
God, how she’d failed.But she couldn’t think about that now.
She sniffed her hair and wrinkled her nose.Okay, so fear had a distinct scent, and she probably smelled as if she’d crawled out of a dumpster full of it.
Brick had said the guys would arrive in an hour, so that gave her a good thirty minutes to clean herself up.Besides, searching for Bray could take all night.A nice hot shower might infuse life back into her.
She closed the door, stripped down, and turned on the water full blast.Stepping beneath the spray, she tipped back her head.Heat billowed around her, and for a split second she was transported out of her hellish reality—and taken back to three years ago in Fargo.
