Knock,knock,knock
Natalie stirred and rubbed her eyes.She lay in the king-sized bed at the rental.Bray slept peacefully between them, and Brick’s light snores told her he was getting some much-needed rest.They’d left the hospital just before lunch, picked up takeout on the way home, after they ate, they decided they’d all benefit from a nap.
She peered at the clock on the nightstand behind Brick’s shoulder.It was almost 5:00p.m.Well, bedtime was screwed.There was no way Bray would be ready for bed at his usual early hour now, but at least they’d all slept.
Knock,knock
Natalie stiffened.That’s what’d woken her up.Someone at the door.She lifted the covers and slid out, then quietly made her way downstairs to the front door.Apprehension made her movements soundless, her heart in her throat.She hadn’t wanted to wake Brick, but now she wished she had.
She went to the window and peeked through the blinds.Zain stood at the door with a large brown paper bag in his hand.She exhaled and unlocked the door.The bright sunshine hit her eyes, which were still sensitive from sleep.“Hey,” she said.
Zain winced.“Shit.Did I wake you?”
“No, it’s fine.We need to wake Bray anyway.What’s up?”
He passed her the bag.“My fiancée, Dana, had me grab some food she ordered from one of the local shops.If you were in Seattle, all the ladies would bring you meals themselves, so this is second best.”
“Oh my gosh,” she cried, as she accepted the bag with her good hand.The aroma of chicken and garlic wafted to her nostrils.“Please tell her thank you.You have no idea how helpful this is.I had nothing planned for dinner.”
He winked.“S’all good.Dana has you covered.Taschen and I are flying home,” he said, jerking his thumb to the vehicle waiting in the driveway.
Taschen smiled and waved.
“You guys take care and give that little dude—”
“Dain!”Bray wedged himself between the doorframe and her leg.“Hi,” he said, a little more calmy.
Zain knelt.“Hey, buddy.I’m flying back to Seattle tonight, but I wanted to say bye.We had fun yesterday.”He lifted his hand, which Bray high-fived with exuberance.Then he reached for Zain to pick him up.
He scooped up Bray and gave him a hug, patting him on his back.“I’ll see you soon, champ.”
Bray wiggled down and ran back in the house.
Zain gave another wave and left.
Natalie closed the door just as Brick came downstairs.His arm was in a sling and his hair was disheveled.Though his eyes were slightly red from sleep, he appeared more rested.His color was back, along with his grin.“Whaddya got there?”
“Dinner.”She smiled, waving the bag.“Courtesy of Dana.And ohmigod, it smells amazing.”She made her way to the kitchen while Bray played in the living room with a set of toy cars Ellie had bought him.
She placed the bag on the kitchen table and pulled out the food.In a few minutes, they had plates piled with veggies, some kind of cheesy Tuscan chicken, and potatoes.
They ate around the table, then watched a show with Bray before giving him a bath and putting him to bed a little later than usual.Natalie came downstairs once Bray was asleep to find Brick on the couch.
“How are you feeling?”he asked, as she sat next to him on the sofa.
He extended his uninjured arm, allowing her to slide against his side.
“Okay.Tired.I’m just very nervous for my meeting with Wiebe tomorrow.”She tried to fight the smallness of her voice, but the effort was futile.She simply didn’t have the energy to hide her emotions.
She could walk into the police department tomorrow and not walk out.Would they detain her?Could they?Perhaps there wasn’t enough evidence against her yet—but maybe enough to prevent her from moving to Seattle.Suddenly, she wanted more than anything to leave Detroit.Even if it meant leaving her sister behind.
Everything about this city reminded her of Keetan and the years she’d stayed with him under duress.She wanted to move forward.To leave her past here and start fresh with Brick and Bray.
“Taschen called Backcountry’s lawyers.If the meeting with Wiebe goes south, we’ll give them a call.”
She nodded despite the growing lump in her chest.
“It’s going to be fine,” he said reassuringly.“I know it.”
