“Not so good. She’s struggling, but she did talk a little for the first time about what she went through. I’m hoping that’s a good sign. The psychologist in Decatur she talked to recommended one here, and I’m going to encourage her to make an appointment.”
“If there’s anything we can do, you only have to ask,” Grayson said.
“Thank you. I think having Livie home will help her. I really appreciate you letting her stay here while we were gone.”
Harlow smiled. “Your daughter is a delight. Anytime you need us to keep her, we’ll be happy to.”
“Is Kendall going to stay here?” Grayson said.
He shrugged. “I wish I knew. That’s what I want, but I don’t know where Kendall’s mind on that is right now. For now, I’m going to take my daughter and dog home. Is there anything going on I need to know about?”
“No.” Grayson squeezed his shoulder. “Take a few days off to spend with your family.”
He went to the living room and peeked into the fort’s opening. A laugh escaped. Ruby had a lace handkerchief on herhead and a silk rose under her paw. Einstein had a bow tie clipped to his collar.
“Daddy!” Livie squealed, jumping up and flying into his arms. “You’re home.”
“I sure am. What’s going on here?”
“Ruby and Einstein got married.”
“They did? That’s…uh, great.” He was sure the animals were thrilled to be wedded.
“Yes. Where’s Mommy?”
“At home waiting for you.”
“Oh, goody. Let’s go.”
He collected Livie and Ruby and took his family home.
Chapter 32
Kendall sat in a beach chair behind the apartment building, watching Cooper, Livie and Ruby play baseball. They’d taught Ruby to run after the balls Livie hit and bring them back to Cooper.
It was a picture-perfect spring day, the monster was dead and could never hurt her or Livie again, and there was a man in her life who obviously cared about her. She should feel happy. She didn’t feel anything. She was dead inside.
Why couldn’t she get past the numbness that had settled deep within her chest like a heavy stone? She closed her eyes, trying to ignore the sounds of her daughter’s laughter coming from the makeshift baseball field. She felt disconnected from it all, as if she were watching her life unfold from a distance.
You survived the nightmare, so just get over it.
A gentle touch on her shoulder made her jump, and she opened her eyes to see Cooper squatting next to her. “Are you okay?”
She forced a weak smile and nodded, not knowing how to explain this emptiness inside her. She was blessed. She really was. The sun was warm on her face, a beautiful man was looking at her with soft eyes, and her daughter was happy as she played chase with Ruby, laughter trailing behind her. Yet, she couldn’t find her happiness. What was wrong with her?
“Livie asked if we could have pizza for dinner. I thought it might be good for us to get out for a little while. Go have pizza and maybe ice cream after.”
“Sure. Sounds great.” Maybe if she pretended she was happy and having fun it would become real.
Turned out pretending to have fun for a few hours had taken her mind off all the dark thoughts crowding her head. She’d enjoyed herself, which had been a welcome surprise. Both Livie and Cooper had been entertaining with their jokes and teasing. She’d laughed several times, and that had been a gift.
Now, though, she was in bed with her daughter out cold next to her. She huffed an annoyed breath as sleep evaded her. Part of the reason was the nightmares she was having. If she didn’t sleep, she wouldn’t go back to that cabin in the woods.
Eventually, she did sleep. And the nightmare did come. She shot straight up, gasping for breath. She wasn’t in the cabin. The monster wasn’t choking her. Moonlight filtered through the edges of the blinds, casting eerie shadows on the wall. She eased out of bed, careful not to wake Livie.
Ruby lifted her head from where she was sleeping, and Kendall patted the mattress. “Why don’t you come up here next to Livie?” The dog didn’t hesitate to jump up and stretch out next to Livie. Leaving her daughter in the care of Ruby, Kendall quietly left the room.
At the door to Cooper’s bedroom, she paused. She should return to her own bed, but she didn’t want to. He made her feel safe, and she desperately needed that. Taking a deep breath, she opened the door. As soon as she stepped inside, she stopped. A lamp on the night table was on, and Cooper was leaning against the headboard, reading a book.