Page 31 of Prairie Nights

Paul was arrested that night and Whitney got the call that he was brought into custody. Through police questioning, they found out Paul had acquired the apartment two doors down from Whitney through a sublet and had been there since August of last year. He had been tracking her every move and when the police arrested him, they discovered hundreds of pictures of her taken as well as a notebook recording her movements. He had been stalking her and although they were not 100% sure of his intent, they found tape, rope, and tranquilizers in a duffle bag in his closet, which pointed to a potential abduction or worse. Whitney was instantly sick to her stomach.

Knowing he was now behind bars, Whitney was ready to go home. Her new home with Hayden.

Whitney walked into their house carrying her box of items from her Toronto apartment, and Hayden carried in their luggage. He tossed his keys on the island and put down the suitcases. Whitney put down the box and sighed.

“Come here.” Hayden gestured, tapping his chest.

Whitney walked into his strong arms, so warm and comforting. She sighed again, feeling the weight of the emotion from the past week lifting off her shoulders. A chapter had been closed in Toronto and now a new chapter was officially opening. A feeling of love and gratitude swept over her, and she looked up at Hayden, meeting his concerned eyes.

“Thank you.” she said. “I don’t think I could have dealt with everything if I didn’t have you there with me, holding me up. I love you so much.”

Hayden offered her a tired smile and leaned down to tenderly brush his lips to hers. He was undoubtedly exhausted and the realization of what she had put him through over the past few days sat heavy on her heart. The events of the past week, and her past in general, was a lot to deal with. Knowing that this incredible man who she was in a new relationship with would literally drop his life to come to her rescue when she needed him, was overwhelming. Was this all too much for him? Would he wake up one day and say, I can’t do this anymore?That it’s all too much. Part of her had faith that he would never do that to her, but part of her felt insecure and questioned if he could handle it. Would he one day walk away? The thought of not having him in her life made her emotions overflow and a cry inadvertently escaped her throat.

Startled, Hayden looked down at her, searching her face. “Are you okay?” He asked, brows furrowed with concern.

“Yes, just overwhelmed.” she replied. “Can I ask you something?”

“Yes, of course, anything.”

“I know I bring a lot of baggage with me, and I know this entire situation is far more than most can handle. Although you’ve been amazing through everything, I need to ask, aren’t you scared?”

He looked into her eyes, searching for the meaning behind the question. “Yes,” he confessed, “but not for the reason, you may think. I’m not scared of your past, any scars you carry because of your past, or helping you process through the events of this past week. Do I wish it never happened to you? Yes, of course. I wish you didn’t have to go through what you went through.”

“Then what scares you?” she asked, needing desperately to know.

“I’m scared of losing you,” he answered, his voice rough around the edges. “Knowing Paul had intent to abduct and physically harm you, or worse. That’s what scares me.” Whitney searched his eyes, seeing the fear within their depths. “Whitney, if something ever happened to you, if someone ever hurt you, I ….” he trailed off.

“I know Hayden.” she finished, wrapping her arms around his neck and silencing him with a kiss.

In that moment, nothing more needed to be said. Hayden was accepting her past baggage and there was nothing he wouldn’t do to keep her safe.

* * *

“You’re the best!” Ever exclaimed as Whitney passed her a plate with a cinnamon bun from the Eazy.

Whitney smiled, holding her own plate as she settled into their leather couch opposite from Ever. “How is the bed rest thing going?” Whitney asked, licking cream cheese icing off her fingertip.

Ever rolled her eyes and gave her an exasperated look. “It’s exhausting. But anything to keep these two cooking.” she said, rubbing her growing belly.

Whitney smiled, taking a bite of her cinnamon bun.

“So, I heard you had quite the impromptu trip to Toronto.” Ever mentioned. “Are you going to tell me about it?”

Whitney put down her plate on the coffee table and looked up at her friend’s curious eyes. “Where do I begin?”

Despite being so close to Ever, Whitney had never shared details of her past marriage with her. It was not that she didn’t trust Ever, but regaling her past was something uncomfortable to discuss and honestly something she didn’t want to relive, even if it was part of her story.

“Start from the beginning.” Ever replied.

Whitney sighed and spent the next hour opening up to her friend. As she did, she could slowly feel a weight lift off her shoulders. She shared about how she met Paul, their brief courtship, quick marriage, and the hardest part, the abuse. Sharing with Ever and seeing her reactions and wide-eyed compassion comforted Whitney, and she knew she was doing the right thing by telling her. Perhaps this was part of the healing process.

Concluding with the events of this past week, contemplative silence fell on the pair, Whitney knowing there was nothing more to tell and Ever rendered speechless.

“So, Paul is in jail now?” Ever asked. Whitney nodded. Ever let out a breath she seemed to have been holding and reached out to take Whitney’s hand. “Now that I know everything, I think I have a better understanding of you, to be honest.”

“How so?” Whitney asked, her eyebrow raised in question.

“I always felt like you never gave any of the guys you dated a chance,” she explained. “You would regale me with all your tales of dating, but no one was ever quite good enough. You always found fault in them before they got too close to you.”

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