Page 73 of Love and Memories

“Can I what? Anything,” Travis said.

She pressed a hand to her growing belly. She’d come to love the baby growing inside of her, but now that happiness was tainted by the realization that her child’s father had used her body at his will for years.

What had prompted her to escape? Would she have made the same decision if she’d known about the pregnancy? If it was too early for anyone at the hospital to know, surely she hadn’t known either.

“Bella, I’ll do anything you ask. Just name it.”

Bella looked up at him. His warm brown eyes were soft but ready. The muscles in his neck were tense, but he was waiting for her to respond before acting.

A still, small voice told her his words were truth. Travis wasn’t like Gunner. Everything inside her said she could trust him more than she’d ever trusted anyone else.

Was that just wishful thinking, or was it the Lord guiding her in the right direction? She’d been holding out for a hero her whole life, but they’d all become villains.

“Can you take me to the ranch?” she asked.

Travis brushed her hair out of her face and cradled her cheek. “I don’t think you should work today. This is a lot to take in.”

“I know, but I need to stay busy.”

Travis nodded. “Okay. If that’s what you want.”

And just like that, Travis proved, once again, how he was different.

28

TRAVIS

Darkness had fallen by the time Travis parked in front of Anna’s house. He’d gone around and around the same stormy circles during the day while Bella worked quietly beside him. She hadn’t cried anymore, but that did little to calm the fire building inside him.

“Let me walk you in,” he said as he reached for the door.

Bella’s small hand touched his arm. “Will you stay for a little bit? I’d like to talk.”

She hadn’t said more than a handful of words to him all day. Instead of letting out a relieved whoop, he killed the engine and stepped out into the night.

She didn’t give him a chance to open the door for her the way she normally did. Instead, she led the way inside where she toed off her shoes and headed for the couch.

“Where’s Anna?” Travis asked as he followed Bella into the living room.

“Working late. She texted me earlier.” Bella leaned forward to scrub her hands over her face. “I’m so sorry about today.”

“You don’t have any reason to be sorry,” Travis assured.

“No, you have no idea. I’ve put everyone here in danger.”

She’d given him very little information at the store earlier, and he’d been left to simmer over those warnings all day. He took each word to heart and used it to build defenses–ways to keep Bella and her baby safe.

Travis turned toward her and reached for her hand. Things she’d said earlier about prison and control pinged around in his thoughts. How could anyone have hurt her? Only the darkest evil could have been capable of inciting this kind of fear in Bella. She was strong–stronger than any woman he’d ever met.

“I’m listening,” he said, making it clear that she was in charge of the conversation. She was behind the wheel, and she could share as much or as little as she wanted.

Bella took a deep breath and kept her head down as she spoke. “I told you my dad was abusive.”

Travis gently squeezed her hand. She’d mentioned it before, and he’d done a poor job of forgetting. “You did. Bella, I’m sorry that happened to you.”

She looked up at him with a tight grin. “It’s fine.”

“It’s anything but fine, Bella. No man should ever lay a hand on a woman like that.”

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