Total pages in book: 54
Estimated words: 51210 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 256(@200wpm)___ 205(@250wpm)___ 171(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 51210 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 256(@200wpm)___ 205(@250wpm)___ 171(@300wpm)
A triumphant smile spread across Saylor’s lips. “She’s okay. I mean now. Doctors rushed Janice into surgery, but she made it. She retired from the bank and moved away. I wonder sometimes if I should leave as well.”
“Do you want to do that?” he asked. His voice was even.
Saylor struggled to answer. The question had whirled around in her mind since the robbery. Would leaving change the memories in her head? Probably not. Would being in a new place scare her even more because she wouldn’t know anyone who could warn her like Janice had? The debate always resulted in the same decision.
She shook her head. “No. I love this town. It’s my home.”
“Then you don’t leave, and we help you deal with the trauma.”
“It’s not that easy. And we?”
“I plan on sticking around.”
“Why? Why are you even putting up with me?” Saylor couldn’t understand what was happening here. Why was he holding her and acting concerned?
“I think we need each other, little girl.”
A shiver of awareness ran through her. Saylor gathered her courage and asked, “Little girl? Why do you keep calling me that?”
“Because I believe you are a little girl, not in age but in life choice. And even more than that, I’m sure I’m your daddy.”
“Daddy?” she repeated automatically before whispering, “Like in those books? Daddies exist?”
“They do. Just as little girls are real. Have you ever explored your Little side?”
She shook her head. “No.”
“Then it’s time you did. I’ll help you work through the terror plaguing you, and we’ll explore the dynamic together,” Max told her.
“You’re not messing with me, are you?” Could she trust him? She so wanted someone in her life she could rely on.
“I will never lie to you, little girl. I promise.” He lifted a hand from her arm and drew an X across his heart before pinching his fingers together as if he were holding something and thrust it toward one of his eyes.
“Cross your heart and hope you’ll die, stick a needle in your eye,” she recited, understanding his actions completely.
“Can you promise me you’ll tell me the truth as well?” he asked.
Nodding, she repeated the signs herself. “I promise.”
“Good girl. Now it’s late and you need more sleep. Let’s go stretch out on Daddy’s bed. I won’t touch you until you are ready for that step. Tonight is about sleeping soundly without worry. I’ll be there to guard you from harm.”
A good night’s sleep sounded like a miracle. She hadn’t slept through the night since the robbery. “I don’t want to disturb your sleep.”
“You won’t. My body is trained to do without sleep for days if necessary. If I get a couple hours, I’m good to go. Come on. Up.”
He lifted her to her feet and stood before asking, “Have you eaten?”
“I usually grab something before bed, but I’m good,” she rushed to assure him.
“Do you like scrambled eggs?”
Her stomach growled in response.
“That answers that question. Come on. I’ll make us some food and then we’ll crash.” Max took Saylor’s hand and led her to the kitchen. He helped her up onto a stool at the island before whipping up an astronomical amount of eggs with cheese and meat. Every bite was delicious.
CHAPTER 5
“Are you sure I can stay here tonight?” Saylor asked, standing in the doorway to the main bedroom in her borrowed T-shirt.
“Of course, Saylor. I don’t think you’re ready to be alone.”
Immediately, she shook her head. When she hesitated to crawl into the guest room bed, Max asked, “Would you like to sleep in here with me?”
“Could I? I mean, you may not want me in here. I have bad dreams.”
“That’s even more reason for you to sleep in here. I can karate chop bad guys from here to Timbuktu.”
“You know karate?” she asked and yawned widely.
“No. Not karate. Sorry, I was trying to be funny.” Max had trained in several martial arts and self-defense methods. He didn’t mention those.
“It’s okay. I’m sure you’re good at other things.”
“Come in, little girl. Climb into bed before you fall over.” Pulling the covers back, he held them up slightly to shield her as she slid into bed. Max tucked the covers under her chin and wished he had a stuffie for her to hold on to. He’d get one to have at the house tomorrow.
She turned and snuggled into her pillow with a sigh of relief as he turned off the lights. Max left on his boxers instead of sleeping in the nude as he usually did. When he joined her in bed, he could feel the tension in her body.
“Good night, Saylor. You’re safe here.”
She nodded in the dark before asking, “Could you turn on a small light? Like in the bathroom? I don’t mind darkness when I’m doing something fascinating like scuba diving, but the shadows bother me at night.”