Total pages in book: 141
Estimated words: 141428 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 707(@200wpm)___ 566(@250wpm)___ 471(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 141428 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 707(@200wpm)___ 566(@250wpm)___ 471(@300wpm)
“That fucking bitch.” He started pacing up and down and imaging all the ways he wanted to harm her.
How dare she bully any child, let alone a child in her care who was grieving her mother!
And because she was rebuffed by another child? She was a predator. She didn’t just deserve jail. That seemed too good for her.
“So I never had friends or a boyfriend in high school. So there was no need for a curfew, and even if I did, Derick wouldn’t have bothered with any rules. Heck, it’s unlikely he would have noticed. Rohan might have, but he was busy too.”
And she was on her own.
No rules because it seemed like no one cared enough about her to give her any. He didn’t count Rohan, he was a child too.
“Well, you’ll have them now,” he told her as he tucked her in tight around her lower body. “Because I want to keep you safe and healthy. Understand?”
“Because you care about me?”
“Yeah, baby. Because I care about you.”
“Why?”
“Why what?”
“Why do you care about me?” she asked, staring up at him.
It was obvious she was utterly exhausted and he wanted her to sleep, to relax and heal.
“I think the question is why wouldn’t someone care about you? You’re so easy to care about. You’re funny and sweet and a bit naughty.”
“I’m not naughty.”
“No? Salt in my coffee?” he reminded her.
“Oh. You deserved that. You were being very bossy.”
He leaned in, sitting on the side of the bed. “Because I was worried about you.”
Devi studied him for a long moment. “You were worried about me.”
“Yes, baby. And that meant that I got upset when I learned you’d been attacked. And I said things that I maybe shouldn’t have. Or I should have worded them differently. But that won’t be happening again, since you’re going to have rules to keep you safe.” He lightly ran his fingers through her hair. It desperately needed to be washed and combed. He’d see to that tomorrow.
For now, he just wanted her to sleep. It was late. He’d tried to stay away for the night, but in the end he couldn’t do it.
Her eyes were closed and her breathing was growing deeper. Damn, he’d forgotten how good he was at this caregiving thing.
“If I’m not hideous, then how come I’m not allowed to look at myself in the mirror?” she suddenly asked.
Hayes shot his gaze down to her face. Fuck. “Because I don’t want you to be upset.”
She took in a deep breath.
“Where did the nightgown come from?” he asked, trying to distract her.
She glanced down at the lacy nightgown.
It was white, which really didn’t seem a good idea given her clumsiness. And it had long sleeves and he’d noticed that it went to the tops of her feet when she was standing.
It was old-fashioned and not anything he’d imagined her wearing.
“Silla bought it for me. I love it.” There was a defensive note in her voice. But also one of . . . wonder?
As though she couldn’t quite believe that Silla would buy her something. Why would she think that?
“You love it because she bought it for you?” he clarified.
“Yes, it was so kind of her. She bought it because she knew that all my stuff was in the trailer and the police are still processing it. And that the hospital gown might be scratchy and uncomfortable. She even pre-washed it to soften it up. It’s the most thoughtful thing anyone has ever done for me.”
He eyed her for a second. “The most thoughtful thing, huh?”
She was killing him. She really was.
That couldn’t be the most thoughtful thing that someone had ever done for her.
“You’re not used to people doing nice things for you, huh, baby?”
“Oh no, that’s not true. People do nice things for me all the time. Mac always gives me extra shifts if I need them and he drives me home if it’s too late for the bus. He even offered to let me live with him when Rohan went to jail. Sandy always makes me food if I’m hungry, even if I’ve already eaten or it’s at the start of my shift. If I’m tired, Silla will take over some of my section for me and when we have time off together, we’ll often go out for an ice cream or she’ll come to pottery with me. When I was younger and couldn’t afford pottery lessons, Michelle used to let me clean her studio in lieu of payment. She’s helped out so much with this exhibition.”
“I want to kill everyone who was ever mean to you. Seriously. I want a list of names.”
She smiled up at him.
He was cute when he got riled up.
Oops, there she went thinking he was cute again. He’d probably be insulted if she told him that.
A list of names. He was hilarious.