Page 33 of Delicate Escape

My tongue stuck to the roof of my mouth, but I managed to get my vocal cords to work. “It’s really okay. It’s like camping.”

Shep’s mouth looked like it was trying to smile but couldn’t quite get there. “I guess that’s one way to look at it.” His hands moved as he took off his ballcap and flipped it around so I could finally see those beautiful amber eyes. “You think you’re ready for me to go inside and have a look at the bathroom?”

The moment he spoke, I lost the awe I felt at seeing those gorgeous eyes. Because panic was setting in. Memories pounded against the carefully constructed walls in my mind. The aftermath of letting someone into my home before. The voice that echoed in my head.“You ruin everything.”

Shep’s jaw clenched, and then he forced it to release. “Okay, no inside today. There’s plenty I can do out here. I’ll dig around the waterline and see if I can figure out what we’re dealing with. We’ll just take it one step at a time. You’re in charge.”

A burn lit behind my eyes, fiercer this time, and I couldn’t stop the tears from welling. “Why are you putting up with me?” I asked, my voice little more than a hoarse whisper.

Shep’s eyes locked with mine. “Because everything about you screams that you’ve been fighting alone for too damn long, Thorn. You need someone to help carry the weight for a little while. I might not be able to fix everything, but I can help carry the load.”

12

SHEP

I wanted to break something.No, I wanted to break someone. And that someone was whoever had put this level of fear in Thea. Only it wasn’t just fear. It was terror.

She blinked up at me, trying desperately to clear away the tears. “Alone is the only place that’s safe.”

Her words scored me, leaving scars in their wake. “Alone isn’t a place. It’s a state of being. And no one can stay that way forever. Every person on this planet needs others. Needs to share their burdens with someone.”

I felt a pull from somewhere deep. A demand thatIbe that someone.

Thea stared at me for a long moment, her deep brown eyes searching. That was the thing about Thea. She watched in a way others didn’t. Withstood the quiet to give herself time to truly see. I’d seen her do it countless times at the bakery, taking time with an older woman who came in each day because she was lonely without anyfamily around. Crouching in front of the bakery case with a little kid, helping her decide between all the amazing cupcakes.

But now, she was taking that time with me. Her intelligent gaze burrowing deep, silently assessing before she gave me anything. And when she finallydidspeak, I wasn’t surprised the words packed a punch.

“Do you share your burdens, Shepard?” Her voice wasn’t loud or soft, but it hit hard just the same.

I usually hated anyone using my full name. Too long. Too formal. Too many connotations of guiding sheep in the olden days.

But Thea saying it? It was like a stroke to the senses. Her tongue wrapped around each syllable like it was a precious thing.

My throat worked as I swallowed. “I’ve got a family that rivals a football team, who helps me whenever I need it.”

A hint of amusement danced in Thea’s eyes. “And how often do you let them do that?”

I snapped my mouth closed. I couldn’t remember the last time one of my siblings had helped me with something instead of the other way around. It wasn’t that they were selfish and didn’t offer; it was that I didn’t let them help. Or, more often, I didn’t let them know I needed help.

Her perfectly plump lips twitched. “That’s what I thought.”

“Trust me,” I said, “they are all up in my business. Nosy as all hell.”

Thea’s face softened, and I felt a little more of her anxiety melt away. “I’m glad you have that.”

An ache took root in my chest because I knew Thea didn’t. At least, not as far as I could see. “You have siblings?”

I wanted to kick myself because she stiffened the moment the question was out of my mouth.

“No siblings.”

I nodded, wanting to know more but knowing she’d just retreat if I pressed. “They’re a blessing and a curse.”

Her smile was back. “I bet.”

I opened my mouth to ask something more innocuous, just because I liked hearing the sound of her voice, when I heard a beep.

Thea pulled something from her pocket, silencing the sound. I realized it was an old-school digital watch. I hadn’t seen one in decades.

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