Read Online Sanctuary (New Reality Series, Book One) by Jessica Jarman - Free Book Online Page B

not looking up. He looked at Ethan in panic.
    “Grace,” Ethan said sharply. “You need to tell us what’s wrong? Sweetheart, we can’t help if we don’t know what’s going on.”
    “I…I’m alone.” She lifted her face and her tear-streaked face was white as a sheet. “They’re all gone. I just…I don’t know what to do.”
    Her body shook, racked with sobs. Ethan cursed and lifted her into his arms. Cradling her against his chest, he murmured softly to her.
    Noah, feeling helpless, stood and walked to the next room. Opening the door, he saw the large bed, but no linens. He turned and took the steps two at a time up to the loft. There he found an armoire filled with sheets and blankets. Grabbing some, he hurried back downstairs and made quick work of making the bed. Just as he finished, Ethan strode in. Grace had quieted, her face buried in his neck. He laid her in the center of the mattress and stretched out beside her. He met Noah’s eyes and held his hand out. Noah clasped it and lay down on Grace’s other side. He looked down at her face. Her eyes were closed, her dark lashes resting against her pale cheeks.
    “Ethan? Noah?” she mumbled.
    “Shhh.” Noah tucked her hair behind her ear. “We’re right here, baby.”
    Ethan draped his arm around her and Noah, then kissed Grace’s temple. After a few minutes, her breathing slowed and her muscles relaxed as sleep claimed her.
    The men slowly got off the bed, careful not to wake her. Noah pulled a lightweight quilt over her body and followed Ethan from the room, easing the door shut behind them.
    He joined Ethan, who’d walked out onto the porch and now stood staring off into the distance. He slipped an arm around the other man’s waist.
    “What in the hell happened in there?” Ethan asked, shaking his head.
    “I think everything is hitting her. Think about it. When has she had the chance to grieve properly? She was sick, then taking care of her family, then focused on surviving on her own and getting here.”
    “Makes sense,” Ethan admitted. “And she’s exhausted on top of it. Probably best to let her sleep a while.”
    “All right then. You get the fire going, and I’ll find something for dinner.”
    Noah leaned back on the sofa, staring at the flames dancing in the fireplace. They’d already eaten and cleaned up. Now, Ethan was out setting traps. Noah hadn’t joined him since neither thought it was a good idea for Grace to wake to an empty cabin.
    He glanced at his watch. There was maybe another two hour of daylight left, and he was ready for bed.
    “Where’s Ethan?”
    At the sound of Grace’s voice, he jumped to his feet. “He’s setting some traps, hoping for some fresh meat.”
    “Oh,” she said dully.
    He walked to the cupboard and pulled out a bowl then went to the stove. Lifting the lid of the pot, he ladled stew into the dish and brought it to the table.
    “Sit and eat something.” He retrieved a spoon. “Come on. Sit down.”
    She moved to the chair he held out and lowered herself onto it. “I’m not really hungry. I’m sorry.”
    “You need to eat. Even just a couple bites,” he insisted.
    She frowned at him, but scooped some bits onto her spoon and took a bite. She grimaced as she swallowed. Setting the utensil down with a clank, she shook her head. “I can’t.”
    Noah covered her hand with his. “Gracie—”
    She pulled away and, pushing the chair back, stood. “I’m just really tired.”
    He watched as she went back into the bedroom and shut the door. Ethan found him still sitting there when he returned.
    “Hey.” Ethan came behind him and started massaging the knots in his shoulders. “You okay?”
    “Yeah.” Noah closed his eyes and leaned into Ethan’s touch.
    “Grace?”
    “She woke and managed to force down one bite before going back to bed.”
    “Damn,” Ethan swore. “Well, I don’t think it’s anything to worry about right now. Like you said, it’s all hitting her, so maybe a