Page 9 of Hold Me Until Morning

Finding this bunny? It wasn’t close to being frivolous or inconsequential the way that jerk had implied. I passed it to her. “Here you go, sweetheart.”

She hugged it tight, swinging her shoulders back and forth as she pinched up her face in the most adorable way. Right then, her dark blonde hair appeared almost brown since it was still damp from the bath I’d given her just before I’d gone on the rescue mission.

The riot of curls springing back to life.

“Thank you, Mommy,” she said in her little drawl. Holding the bunny out in front of her, she bounced it around. “We got a new house, Princess Verona! I think it’s going to be our favorite, favorite because we got a yard and a swing set and even a sandbox!”

Madison turned her blue gaze on me. Her eyes were the same color as mine, though hers still shined with awe and innocence. I would give it my all to keep it that way.

“Is it your favorite, too, Mommy? I like it that we got here and now we get to live with Lolly, and we even get to go see Grandpa’s horsies, and I don’t think you need to be sad here one little bit.”

Regret squeezed my chest. I hated that my daughter had seen me in that state. Crying and afraid. But I wasn’t going to be that person for a second longer. So instead, I let love invade. The devotion that pumped eternally.

I reached out and brushed my fingers down her plump cheek. “I do think I’m going to like it here. Very much.”

“Oh, I bet you’re gonna like it here.” Pure suggestion filled Lolly’s voice, even though there was a wedge of worry beneath it.

Pulling my daughter onto my lap, I sent a playful scowl at Lolly. “Keep it up, and you’re going to find yourself in that fancy nursing home in Santa Barbara my dad keeps suggesting.”

She waved the idea off with a scoff. “You both wouldn’t know what to do without me.”

Everything softened, all teasing gone. “Thank you for this, Lolly. I truly don’t know what I would do without you.”

I’d finally found the courage to leave Madison’s father three months ago. I’d run from Austin, Texas to Boston, Massachusetts, unsure of where to go or where to turn, but just wanting to put as much time and space between us and Pruitt as I could.

During that time, I’d lived terrified. Terrified of who he was and what he might do. But I’d come to the resolution living that way was no life, and I’d prayed the threat I’d made him when I’d packed up and left would be enough.

So I’d returned here.

To my home.

To my family.

Lolly didn’t know the real reason why I’d left him. I had to keep it that way. At least until I knew exactly what I was going to do.

I’d chosen a place near my childhood home in Langmire, Colorado, though I’d decided to settle in Hendrickson, closer to where I’d gotten my dream job.

My hometown was about an hour from here. That was where my father owned the largest stud ranch in the west, and his Thoroughbred stallions were known to have produced some of the fastest racehorses in the country, though the ranch produced at least a dozen different breeds.

His wealth verged on the obscene.

He’d wanted me to come back to his home and work for him, but I’d known I had to be able to stand on my own. Have my own experiences and chase after my own goals.

Give my daughter the type of life I hoped for her.

Lolly had been living in a wing of his home, and she’d offered to move in with me until I got on my feet.

Help me care for Madison until I found a good preschool program for her.

I looked back at my grandmother. “You knew how much I needed you.”

Softness played across her aged features. “Of course, I knew. You and I have always belonged together. Besides, it’s time to get out from under your father’s roof. My son is constantly flitting around, thinking I’m incapable of taking care of myself, and if I’m not careful, he really is going to send me off to that nursing home. He already has a room reserved and paid for.”

My smile was soft. “He just wants what’s best for you, but you aren’t ready.”

“That’s right, I’m not. I still have a little purpose here. The dream team is back together.”

Emotion thickened my throat and stung at the backs of my eyes.

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