Read Online One Millhaven Lane by Bliss Addison - Free Book Online Page B
Authors: Bliss Addison
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nodded.
"I can spare Sean-Michael, if you feel you need back-up."
"I can handle Bobby."
Nate showed Carter out and locked the door behind him. His thoughts focused on Bobby and the danger he presented to Asia. He hesitated a moment to collect himself, then walked upstairs.
On the landing, he announced his presence. "Don't shoot. It's me." He could hear Asia's giggle from where he stood, the sound brightening his heart.
In that moment, there was no psychotic brother wanting to kill the woman he loved and everything was well with the world. Then reality returned.
On a sigh, he entered the bedroom and found Asia in the same position as he'd left her. He decided now was as good a time as any to give her the bad news and attempted to keep his expression neutral. He couldn't fool Asia and watched her study him.
She narrowed her eyes. "You learned something," she said. "What is it?"
"It was Bobby's blood." He sat beside her.
She inhaled deeply and let out the breath, shaking her head. "I was hoping it wasn't him. The spot of blood could have been mine. It's possible a drop flew off the knife and into the dining room. It's funny how the intellect reacts. Our hearts tell us the truth, but our minds refuse to accept. God. It's still hard for me to believe. I don't know why. Growing up, Bobby was always doing something to hurt or upset me. Remember the time he poured honey in my hair while I was sleeping?" She shook her head again.
Nate stretched out beside her and wrapped her in his arms; thankful he was there to comfort her.
He didn't have siblings and could only imagine how difficult this was on her. There was no love lost between Asia and Bobby, but she would never intentionally harm him. Bobby had no remorse, scruples or limits. Nate saw long ago, as did most everyone in the Grove, that Bobby had no conscience.
"I won't let anything happen to you," he said. "I promise."
Against his chest, she bobbed her head, her tears soaking through his shirt and dampening his skin.
For hours, Nate held her, soothing her when her shoulders shook and rocking her when her cries turned to sobs.
Chapter Seven
Nate lay still, silently grousing that they were no closer to making an arrest than the day of the assault. Nothing of any importance had happened and if he didn't know better, he'd think Bobby had given up.
The past week of forced sitting had grated on Nate's nerves. He thought too much, worried even more, second-guessed himself, reacted like prey to every sound and pretended everything was kosher.
Feeling out of sorts, he shifted in bed, trying not to disturb Asia who slept soundly at his side.
She was growing stir crazy also. Like him, she thrived on purpose. Now, with her wounds partially healed, he had a difficult time encouraging her to sit and rest. Later that morning, he'd take her to ER for the doctor to check her wounds. Asia had wanted Nate to take her to her doctor in Boston, but Nate had already made the arrangement. The ER doc seemed only too happy to accommodate them.
They both looked forward to getting out of the house, even if it was to the hospital. The one good thing that came from waiting for Bobby to make his next move was that he and Asia grew as close as two people could. They'd spoken openly about their pasts, their misgivings and fears. His greatest dread had been living the remainder of his life without her. He'd taken her by surprise saying that, but what he couldn't determine was whether the admission shocked her or if she shared the sentiment.
He suspected it was the latter, and one day, when this Bobby business was done, he would ask.
"How long have you been awake?" Asia asked, spreading her arms wide and yawning.
"Not long. Sleep well?"
"Like a newborn. You?"
"The same." Truth was, he'd slept fitfully. He had only to close his eyes to envision Asia's mutilated body lying in a pool of blood, her expression frozen with the shape of fear she'd experienced in the seconds before her
"I can spare Sean-Michael, if you feel you need back-up."
"I can handle Bobby."
Nate showed Carter out and locked the door behind him. His thoughts focused on Bobby and the danger he presented to Asia. He hesitated a moment to collect himself, then walked upstairs.
On the landing, he announced his presence. "Don't shoot. It's me." He could hear Asia's giggle from where he stood, the sound brightening his heart.
In that moment, there was no psychotic brother wanting to kill the woman he loved and everything was well with the world. Then reality returned.
On a sigh, he entered the bedroom and found Asia in the same position as he'd left her. He decided now was as good a time as any to give her the bad news and attempted to keep his expression neutral. He couldn't fool Asia and watched her study him.
She narrowed her eyes. "You learned something," she said. "What is it?"
"It was Bobby's blood." He sat beside her.
She inhaled deeply and let out the breath, shaking her head. "I was hoping it wasn't him. The spot of blood could have been mine. It's possible a drop flew off the knife and into the dining room. It's funny how the intellect reacts. Our hearts tell us the truth, but our minds refuse to accept. God. It's still hard for me to believe. I don't know why. Growing up, Bobby was always doing something to hurt or upset me. Remember the time he poured honey in my hair while I was sleeping?" She shook her head again.
Nate stretched out beside her and wrapped her in his arms; thankful he was there to comfort her.
He didn't have siblings and could only imagine how difficult this was on her. There was no love lost between Asia and Bobby, but she would never intentionally harm him. Bobby had no remorse, scruples or limits. Nate saw long ago, as did most everyone in the Grove, that Bobby had no conscience.
"I won't let anything happen to you," he said. "I promise."
Against his chest, she bobbed her head, her tears soaking through his shirt and dampening his skin.
For hours, Nate held her, soothing her when her shoulders shook and rocking her when her cries turned to sobs.
Chapter Seven
Nate lay still, silently grousing that they were no closer to making an arrest than the day of the assault. Nothing of any importance had happened and if he didn't know better, he'd think Bobby had given up.
The past week of forced sitting had grated on Nate's nerves. He thought too much, worried even more, second-guessed himself, reacted like prey to every sound and pretended everything was kosher.
Feeling out of sorts, he shifted in bed, trying not to disturb Asia who slept soundly at his side.
She was growing stir crazy also. Like him, she thrived on purpose. Now, with her wounds partially healed, he had a difficult time encouraging her to sit and rest. Later that morning, he'd take her to ER for the doctor to check her wounds. Asia had wanted Nate to take her to her doctor in Boston, but Nate had already made the arrangement. The ER doc seemed only too happy to accommodate them.
They both looked forward to getting out of the house, even if it was to the hospital. The one good thing that came from waiting for Bobby to make his next move was that he and Asia grew as close as two people could. They'd spoken openly about their pasts, their misgivings and fears. His greatest dread had been living the remainder of his life without her. He'd taken her by surprise saying that, but what he couldn't determine was whether the admission shocked her or if she shared the sentiment.
He suspected it was the latter, and one day, when this Bobby business was done, he would ask.
"How long have you been awake?" Asia asked, spreading her arms wide and yawning.
"Not long. Sleep well?"
"Like a newborn. You?"
"The same." Truth was, he'd slept fitfully. He had only to close his eyes to envision Asia's mutilated body lying in a pool of blood, her expression frozen with the shape of fear she'd experienced in the seconds before her
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