Page 24 of The Unknown Colton
Once her dad released her, she walked over to the window and closed the blinds.
“Too bright?” Sasha asked.
Lakin nodded. The truth was she wanted to shield her parents from that watchful gaze. She wanted to protect them. So she couldn’t tell them about Jasper Whitlaw and that photograph. She knew they would seek him out and try to get answers for her like they’d tried all those years ago. For some reason, she didn’t want them anywhere near Whitlaw or her long-ago past.
After they adopted her, the Coltons had given her such a wonderful, perfect childhood. Even though she was an adult now, they were still here for her, helping her make her dreams come true. If she hadn’t reached out to her father during that auction for the Shelby hotel, she would have lost her opportunity for the business she always wanted. But, despite what Troy believed, the money wasn’t as important as the fact that her dad believed in her.
He and her mother always had.
“I don’t know if I tell you enough how much I love you two,” Lakin said.
Her mom smiled. “You definitely tell us enough, but I love hearing it.” She hugged Lakin again. “And I hope you know how much we love you.”
“I have never doubted your love,” she assured them.
“Uh-oh,” her dad murmured.
“What?” her mom asked with a glance at him.
“I feel like there is a story behind that statement,” he said. “Trouble with Troy? I know he’s been gone a long time…”
“He’s back,” Lakin said.
Her dad arched an eyebrow. “And you’re here without him?”
She nodded. “I need some space,” she admitted.
“Uh-oh,” her father said again.
Tears rushed to her eyes, but she blinked them away. She didn’t want to start crying because she was afraid she might not stop. “Can we talk about that later?” she asked.
She had to figure out first if she could just be happy that Troy was okay and not worry about how he hadn’t called anyone when he got hurt or how uncertain he was about the future. She wanted to be understanding, but she’d been patient so long with him. She wasn’t sure she had any patience left.
“Of course,” her mom said. Then she turned toward her husband and gave him a pointed look. “We’re not going to pry, are we, Will?”
He sighed. “No, we’re not.”
Lakin smiled in appreciation; she knew how hard it was for him to not step in and help her. Ever since they brought her home, her father and brothers had been the white knights trying to slay her dragons. Mom had always been the one encouraging her to slay her own dragons and having the faith in her that she had the strength to do that.
But now her mom’s face flushed a bit and she murmured, “We were actually going to call you about moving back home for a while.”
Lakin groaned. “Eli told you?”
“About that girl’s body being found,” her dad said with a nod. “Yes. And I know you probably think we’re being overly cautious, but you shouldn’t be alone in your cabin. It’s too far from the other guest cottages.”
It didn’t sound to Lakin like they knew about the break-in the day before. That was good. It was also the least of the things she was keeping from them right now. But she didn’t want to worry them any more than they already were.
“And you said you want some space from Troy, so you really will be alone out there,” her dad added.
“Troy spent last night on the couch,” she admitted,
Her mom smiled. “Of course he would be worried, too, and want to protect you. He loves you so much.”
Lakin sighed. “I’m not so sure about that anymore.” Did he really love her, or was he just used to protecting her and everyone else in his family? He probably believed that he’d been protecting them when he didn’t call after his fall.
“What happened?” her dad asked, his long body stiffening with outrage. Like he intended to go defend her honor.
Tears sprang to her eyes again, blurring her vision for a moment. He was her father no matter what JasperWhitlaw claimed he was; he hadn’t been there for her like Will Colton had always been.
