Page 23 of Under Fire

“A new phone?” Delilah asked when the call ended.

“It’s encrypted and safer for us to use to communicate.”

“I see.” Delilah twisted in her seat to face Cade and Sasha. “I have something to tell you.” She detailed her journey from obesity to a healthy woman, and the abuse she suffered at the hands of those who should have been her strongest supporters.

By the time Delilah finished, Sasha’s hands were clenched into fists, her eyes alight with fury. “They should have encouraged you to care for your health and searched for a solution, not berate you and contribute to the problem.”

“Congratulations on your accomplishment, Delilah,” Cade said. “You have amazing willpower to change your life so drastically.”

Matt glanced at the woman by his side and saw tears glimmering in her eyes. He entwined their fingers.

“Thanks.”

The rest of the drive to Harmony passed with more pleasant topics. At the three-hour mark, Matt drove into the Harmony city limits. Delilah’s hand tightened around Matt’s. Silently, Matt vowed to protect Delilah from her family and anyone else who meant her harm.

CHAPTER NINE

An invisible band tightened around Delilah’s chest the closer Matt drove to downtown Harmony. She wasn’t a hurting teenager anymore.

Her lips curved. Instead, she was a grown woman with the terrified teenager lurking deep inside. She could endure snide remarks and contempt when she was alone, but she didn’t want Matt and the Ramseys to witness what she’d dealt with all those years.

By the time they parked in front of The Lennox Hotel, Delilah was trembling.

“Delilah.”

Matt’s callused hands cupped her face and turned Delilah his direction. “Look at me.”

When she complied, she noticed Cade and Sasha were walking toward the hotel entrance. “I’m sorry,” she murmured. “I didn’t think I would fall apart like this.”

“What you feel is understandable. The woman who once weighed 300 plus pounds and changed her life and body to weigh a healthy 120 soaking wet is the strongest woman I’ve ever met. You can face your family and this town, Delilah. You’ve managed to revolutionize your life, a feat most people can’t accomplish. Hold your head high, celebrate your strength, and know I will always have your back.”

The invisible band around her chest loosened and Delilah could breathe again. Matt was right. She could do this. Facing her family and this town couldn’t be as difficult as losing almost 200 pounds.

She closed the remaining distance between them and kissed the handsome medic. “Thanks.”

He smiled. “My pleasure. How do you feel?”

Puzzled at the abrupt change in subject, Delilah said, “I’m fine. The headache is nearly gone. Why?”

His gaze grew more intense. “Excellent. That means tonight I can deliver on my promise.”

The promised kiss. “Oh, yeah. You’re definitely going to fulfill that promise.” Delilah pressed her forehead against his. “I want that kiss, Matt Rainer.”

A chuckle. “I’ll try not to disappoint you.”

“You couldn’t.”

“You’re killing me, sweetheart. We need to store our gear in the hotel room before we head to the hospital, and all I want to do is hold you and kiss you senseless.”

“I wouldn’t argue against that plan.”

After a laugh and a quick kiss, Matt circled the SUV to open her door. “Let’s go before my control slips.”

They met Cade and Sasha in the hotel lobby. Once Matt had the suite key cards, he and Cade escorted Delilah and Sasha to the room on the sixth floor, then returned to the SUV for their bags.

“Are you okay?” Sasha asked.

Delilah turned from the French doors. “I am. No matter what is said, I’ll be fine.” She wouldn’t allow anything different. She’d fought hard for control over her life. No one could wrest that from her unless she gave them control.

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