Fate (Steel Brothers Saga #13) - Helen Hardt Page 0,61
with this woman—a long and prosperous life.
I wouldn’t tell her yet. I’d only scare her away. No one fell in love in a week. No one except me, apparently. No way could she possibly love me yet, but she would. I knew in my heart and soul that she would.
She’d given me her virginity. To her, that was huge. She was definitely feeling something profound. She’d talked about fate and destiny, but she hadn’t mentioned love. That was okay. Love would grow. Just like the blossoms in my mother’s greenhouse, our love would grow and live during all seasons.
I should wake her and take her back to the main house, but I didn’t want to leave this heavenly place we’d created tonight.
An hour later, I left the guesthouse. I scribbled a quick note to tell Daphne I’d be back soon just in case she woke up and found me gone.
Then I walked to the main house.
Time to talk to my father.
I found him in his study, as usual. I knocked on the open door. “Dad?”
“Yeah?”
“I need to talk to you.”
“It’s late.”
“I know, but it’s important.”
“Come in, then,” he said gruffly.
I entered and sat down in one of the chairs opposite his desk. I was here to ask for a favor. A big favor. He’d act like it was a big pain in his ass, say “I told you so,” but in the end, he’d come through for me.
My father had warned me about Wendy early on, when I first brought her home. At the time, I didn’t listen. My father had become so harsh to my mother over the years that I no longer valued his opinion.
That one will be your undoing, son. Mark my words.
He’d been right about Wendy, though, and now I wished I’d heeded his warning.
One thing was certain. Wendy would not be my undoing. I’d take care of it any way I had to. I needed to be free of her, not just for my own sake but for hers as well.
And for the sake of the beautiful, innocent woman lying asleep in the guesthouse.
“Did you come in here to stare at the wall?” my father asked.
I drew in a breath. “No. I need help, Dad. It’s about Wendy.”
I braced myself for the yelling. The “I told you so.” The “I have better things to do than clean up your messes.” The harsh criticism of my decisions.
To my surprise, all he said was, “It’s about time.”
He listened, he made plans, and for the first time since I was a kid, I believed in my father again.
Then I walked back to the guesthouse.
I jerked upward at the shrill screech.
Daphne sat on the edge of the bed trembling, her arms wrapped around her body.
“Baby?” I said tentatively.
“No!” she screamed again, this time standing.
I blinked to adjust my eyes to the darkness. “Daphne, what’s wrong?”
“Get away from me! Help! Help!” She raced toward the door of the bedroom.
I scrambled out of bed quickly, grabbed her, and pulled her into my arms. She struggled against me, but I held her firmly. “Shh. It’s okay. You’re here with me. No one is hurting you. Shh.”
She continued to struggle for a few seconds more and then melted into me. “Brad? What happened?”
I kissed the top of her head. “You were screaming, telling me to get away from you.”
“No, no. I wasn’t.”
“You were.”
“I mean…I wasn’t telling you to get away.”
“What was going on?”
“I’m so sorry you had to see that. It’s a nightmare. I have them sometimes.”
“Come on.” I led her back to the bed. “Tell me.”
“I can’t.”
“Daphne, you can tell me anything.”
“That’s not what I mean. I actually can’t. I never remember the nightmares.”
“You don’t remember who was trying to harm you?”
She shook her head. “Never. I don’t have them as much anymore. I guess I should have warned you, but I didn’t know we’d sleep together.”
“You fell asleep, and I didn’t want to wake you. You looked so serene and peaceful.”
“It’s not your fault. I should have—”
“Baby, it’s not anyone’s fault.”
She nodded. “I’m a little embarrassed.”
“Don’t be.” I kissed her forehead. It was moist with sweat. “I won’t let anyone hurt you. Ever. I promise with everything in me.”
Chapter Forty-Three
Daphne
“Daph, where have you been? I’ve been worried sick!” Patty grabbed me in a hug after Brad dropped me off the next day.
“I meant to call, but time got away from me. I went to Brad’s ranch for the weekend. I should have left a note. I’m sorry.”