Page 46 of The Biker Needs A Nanny

I hear voices shouting in the distance, like they’re trying to see where I went off to, but I can’t yell back. Not with Eric’s hand gripped over my mouth. I try to open it wide enough to bite him, but his hold is too tight.

“Isn’t that sweet? Those little girls and that man are looking for you.”

“Grace? Where are you?” The voices grow closer.

“I’ll be watching.” He pushes me forward, and I stumble to the ground. By the time I look up, he’s gone.

My heart pounds a mile a minute, and I know I must be a disheveled mess.

I will myself to stand and try my best to straighten my hair and calm myself.

“There you are.” Lucky comes around the row of trees, holding both girls’ hands. “Did you not hear us calling your name?”

“Sorry, I slipped and—”

When Lucky gets closer, he takes in my scratched arms and the panic that must still be evident on my face.

“Are you okay?” His radar seems to go off, and he scans the surrounding trees.

I tuck a stray piece of hair behind my ear. “Yes, I just fell.”

“Then why are your hands shaking?”

“I guess I’m cold. You guys find a tree?”

“Yes.” Poppy runs forward and takes my hand. “We found the best one, didn’t we, Ella?”

“We sure did,” she agrees, taking my other hand. They lead me down the rows, Lucky right behind us, until we reach a big, fat tree that seems to stand out amongst all the slender ones nearby.

“Oh, it’s perfect. Great job.”

They beam proudly, and I return their bright smiles with one of my own. But I notice Lucky’s eyes tracing over the scratcheson my arms. I wish I’d worn a long sleeve shirt or brought a jacket so I could hide them from sight. I shiver again, thinking about where I was just moments ago.

Lucky shrugs out of his plaid jacket and holds it up for me. “Here.”

I slip my arms in without complaint. “Thank you.”

After the tree is bundled and safely in the bed of Lucky’s pickup, we drive toward home.

I can’t help but watch the side-view mirror for any headlights that take the same turns we do. Thankfully, I don’t see any. I can only pray Eric doesn’t already know where I’m living. I’ve got to make a move and soon, but the thought that I have to leave this beautiful little family floods me with sadness.

When we get home, I try desperately to shake off the fear and enjoy decorating the tree with the girls. They are so excited; it’s hard not to be swept away in the joy of the moment.

Glancing over at Lucky, I see he takes no pleasure in this activity, and he desperately tries to avoid any of the more sentimental ornaments, sticking mostly with the colored balls and glittering snowflakes.

I don’t press him, and he doesn’t bring up my scratches.

Soon, he finds an excuse to abandon the tree to the three of us. “Who wants hot chocolate?”

He spends the rest of the night in the kitchen, but I’m grateful for the space. The last thing I want is for him to find out the truth. I know I should probably tell him about my crazy ex. It isn’t fair that I could bring danger straight to his door. If something happened to his girls or to his home, the guilt would crush me.

I drag in a breath. Lucky installed that security system, and I’m not even sure Eric knows where I’m staying. I have tobelieve that even if he did, he wouldn’t be stupid enough to try something. Not when he’s seen Lucky with me.

CHAPTER FOURTEEN

Grace—

Saturday morning, Lucky is waiting in the kitchen when I come down. He stands, leaning against the counter, a mug in his hand.

---