“I’ll do my best.”
I wiped tears from my cheeks as Reese took the phone back and stepped out into the hallway to continue his conversation with my brother.
Crickett wrapped her arms around my shoulders. “I am so happy for you, Katherine.”
“He never gave up on me, even after all this time.”
“That’s true love.” She squeezed me tighter. “I am going to miss having you around here.”
Crying harder, I leaned into her embrace. “I don’t want to leave. I love it here.”
Pulling away, she looked down at me, smiling. “You will always have a home here, but if Reese thinks it best for you to be back home with him, you need to go. You’ll like it. He has a pretty nice house.”
“Anything is better than where I was,” I admitted.
“Well, I guess that is true. I’ll help you get packed up.”
Crickett gave me one of her pink duffle bags for all of the clothes she was giving me and the new ones she had bought. I tried to go to the store with her, but it was a little too overwhelming for me. She made it her mission to get me everything I needed. It was so strange wearing a bra or putting on panties, but I was adjusting to all of it as well as I could.
“Don’t hesitate to call me if you need anything at all.” Crickett put a piece of paper with her number on it into the back before zipping it up.
“Can I call you just to say hi?”
Gripping my hand in hers, she quickly kissed my cheek. “I would absolutely love that.”
Chapter 10
Katherine
“Home sweet home,” Reese led me in to his house, setting out bags down in the front room.
It was the first time that we were actually alone together since he rescued me. Even though it has only been days since, it felt like a lifetime.
“You home is lovely,” I muttered, taking in all of the artwork on the walls and simple furniture strewn about.
“It’s not much, but it’s comfortable.” He shrugged, starting to show me around. “Your room is right through there.” He pointed down the hall. “Please make yourself comfortable. Your bathroom is right across the hallway. If you need anything, just let me know. I’m going to get cleaned up. Why don’t you take your things and get settled? I’ll make us some breakfast in a bit.”
“I get my own room and bathroom?” I gaped at him as a smile took over while excitement and bewilderment coursed through me.
“Yep. It’s all yours.” He leaned down, kissing me on the forehead. “I’ll be right upstairs if you need me.”
“Thanks.”
“For what?”
“Everything.”
* * *
I hurledmyself onto the plush bed as my freshly washed locks soaked the pillow beneath me.
Is this really happening?
I was so scared that the last few days had all been some wonderful dream and I was going to be waking up any moment back in that basement. It was terrifying to even close my eyes just in case it was all too good to be true.
Staring up at the sealing, I let myself just enjoy the moment. The sweet simple moment of spending the first minutes in my very own room. A real room. There was a queen-sized bed with sheets and a plushy comforter, a giant dresser just waiting for all of my new clothes, a mirror, a rug, wood flooring, light blue paint on the walls, a ceiling fan, a real light—everything I could have ever dreamed of in my wildest fantasies. And it was mine. All mine.
I was like a little giggling girl, completely free in my space just taking it all in.