but didn’t let go. It only took me a second before I decided to reach down and scoop her into my arms. She leaned out to unlock the door then turned to burrow herself back into my warmth. This was why I put up with Sanders and Alex. Because there was nothing out there that could ever come close to feeling as good as the way it felt to hold Dani in my arms. To feel her heart beating only inches away from mine. And to really know that this stunning angel wasn’t simply a figment of my imagination, but that she was here and was meant for me.
Just as I had many times before, I walked us into her room and slid off our boots and jackets. We crawled into the bed that was a backdrop for some of my best memories and I cuddled her into my body as she cried herself to sleep. You couldn’t pay me enough to ever trade this moment. The sinking feeling deep in the pit of my stomach told me I needed to get the other part of my life under control or I could lose every moment like this with Dani.
Now I was stuck between wanting to spend every free second with this woman, to wanting to find every possible way to keep Dani safe. Even if that meant keeping distance between us. I knew I had no choice—I would always protect her. But never once did I imagine it would be my past that I’d have to protect her from.
Chapter Nine
16 Weeks
It had been three weeks since Gabby’s plane departed from Serenity Cove and that long since the last time I saw Corey. The first week after she was gone, I tried to get back on track with my every day routines. Bailey accepted me back into her life without hesitation and I was beyond thankful for that. She still didn’t know about the secret brewing away in my belly. That was okay with me though, I was all about avoiding the inevitable. Besides, even though the thought was terrifying—I knew Corey needed to be the first to know.
Luckily for me and my slowly growing bump, it was early April and bigger clothes were still acceptable. Bailey didn’t seem to suspect anything and the few times I saw my Grandma, she subtly remarked at my winter weight gain. She didn’t think I was pregnant, just fat. Joy. I couldn’t really complain either way. For the first time in my life, I was enjoying my Grandma’s company. Her visits to the Inn were more frequent and some days after work I’d stop by the house, just because. At least, that’s what I told myself.
The truth was that I would’ve done just about anything to not be alone. Not that I ever really minded being one-on-one with my little bean, but it made me miss the other person involved in my little family. After Gabby left and Corey was here for me, I thought everything was going to be different. Now, I was lucky when he responded to a casual text message. He dodged my calls, hardly replied and the few times I stopped by the bar he was completely gone. He wasn’t in the kitchen, not in his apartment and to top it off - his Jeep was gone. Sanders always tried to ease my anxiety, but it only worked for a couple minutes.
Something sat in the pit of my stomach and told me this was bigger than Sanders let on. Maybe it was the way his jaw tightened when I walked in. Or the way his eyes instantly darted to Alex, who then looked to me. They were hiding something and, if I was alone, I became obsessed with discovering what that something was.
Bailey never questioned what was going on between Corey and I. Honestly, she didn’t have to. Bailey knew enough by my attitude. The way I jumped anytime my phone vibrated. How I became almost clingy if I had no plans that night and if I came in wearing a sweater four sizes too big—she knew the night before had been a bad one. It also didn’t take her too long before she stopped using the words, someone is here for you. I’m sure the way my face went from excitement to absolute disappointment when I discovered it was just a
Just as I had many times before, I walked us into her room and slid off our boots and jackets. We crawled into the bed that was a backdrop for some of my best memories and I cuddled her into my body as she cried herself to sleep. You couldn’t pay me enough to ever trade this moment. The sinking feeling deep in the pit of my stomach told me I needed to get the other part of my life under control or I could lose every moment like this with Dani.
Now I was stuck between wanting to spend every free second with this woman, to wanting to find every possible way to keep Dani safe. Even if that meant keeping distance between us. I knew I had no choice—I would always protect her. But never once did I imagine it would be my past that I’d have to protect her from.
Chapter Nine
16 Weeks
It had been three weeks since Gabby’s plane departed from Serenity Cove and that long since the last time I saw Corey. The first week after she was gone, I tried to get back on track with my every day routines. Bailey accepted me back into her life without hesitation and I was beyond thankful for that. She still didn’t know about the secret brewing away in my belly. That was okay with me though, I was all about avoiding the inevitable. Besides, even though the thought was terrifying—I knew Corey needed to be the first to know.
Luckily for me and my slowly growing bump, it was early April and bigger clothes were still acceptable. Bailey didn’t seem to suspect anything and the few times I saw my Grandma, she subtly remarked at my winter weight gain. She didn’t think I was pregnant, just fat. Joy. I couldn’t really complain either way. For the first time in my life, I was enjoying my Grandma’s company. Her visits to the Inn were more frequent and some days after work I’d stop by the house, just because. At least, that’s what I told myself.
The truth was that I would’ve done just about anything to not be alone. Not that I ever really minded being one-on-one with my little bean, but it made me miss the other person involved in my little family. After Gabby left and Corey was here for me, I thought everything was going to be different. Now, I was lucky when he responded to a casual text message. He dodged my calls, hardly replied and the few times I stopped by the bar he was completely gone. He wasn’t in the kitchen, not in his apartment and to top it off - his Jeep was gone. Sanders always tried to ease my anxiety, but it only worked for a couple minutes.
Something sat in the pit of my stomach and told me this was bigger than Sanders let on. Maybe it was the way his jaw tightened when I walked in. Or the way his eyes instantly darted to Alex, who then looked to me. They were hiding something and, if I was alone, I became obsessed with discovering what that something was.
Bailey never questioned what was going on between Corey and I. Honestly, she didn’t have to. Bailey knew enough by my attitude. The way I jumped anytime my phone vibrated. How I became almost clingy if I had no plans that night and if I came in wearing a sweater four sizes too big—she knew the night before had been a bad one. It also didn’t take her too long before she stopped using the words, someone is here for you. I’m sure the way my face went from excitement to absolute disappointment when I discovered it was just a
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