Page 6 of Daddy's Christmas Rescue
Blake
I padded back down the hall after an hour of doing paperwork, running a hand through my hair. Biscuit had always been a sucker for company, but it surprised me to see him curled right up next to Holly, the pair of them half-buried in my jacket, like they’d been together forever. She was still in her clothes. Still had that ribbon clenched tight in her hand. She looked small, and so goddamned tired.
She had her thumb in her mouth, as if that was the only comfort she had.
And she was lying on the damn floor. Covered with my coat and a dog, but the floor was still hard and probably too cold.
I leaned on the doorframe for a second, just watching them. Her cheek was pressed against Biscuit’s fur. His tail thumped once, but he didn’t move. It was like they both knew that moving might break whatever peace she’d managed to find.
I should’ve just picked her up and tucked her into bed. But I couldn’t. She hadn’t even tried the bathroom. I could still see the fear on her. The way her hands were still clenched even in sleep,the way she curled into herself, like she needed to hide even when she was safe. She deserved better. She deserved soft, even if I didn’t know how to do that right.
I sighed and went to the bathroom. Ran the water, checking the temperature twice, then added the bath stuff I’d won in some gift basket, but never even opened and then forgotten about. I didn’t know if she’d want bubbles, but I did it anyway. It smelled like honey and something sweet. Not the kind of thing you expected in a house like mine.
I checked the towels. Picked out the softest one I owned and set it on the edge of the tub. Then I thought about clothes. She’d need something, but I didn’t keep women’s clothes around. I had some old flannels that were clean and warm and would be the size of a dress on her.
When the water was ready, I went back to the guest room. Holly was still on the floor. I crouched beside her, careful not to crowd her, and waited until her eyes fluttered open. She looked up at me, all big and brown and confused.
“Hey, Holly,” I said, keeping my voice low. “You fell asleep.”
She blinked. “Sorry.” She tried to push herself up, but she was slow, like her body didn’t quite want to listen.
“Don’t be sorry.” I reached out but stopped just short of touching her. “I ran you a bath. Thought maybe you’d want to get warm for real. You don’t have to, but…” I shrugged, feeling stupid for not knowing the right words. “It’s there if you want it.”
Her fingers twisted in the ribbon. She hesitated, then nodded. “Thank you.”
God, her voice was soft. Like a secret.
Biscuit didn’t want to let her go, but when I clicked my tongue, he fell back a step, watching her with that dog look that meant he’d be waiting when she was ready. I offered her my hand, palm up. She stared at it for a long second, but then she took it. Her skin was cold. Not freezing, just…not warm enough.
I helped her up. She swayed, so I steadied her with a hand at her elbow. She didn’t flinch. That felt like progress. I walked her into the bathroom, ridiculously happy when she didn't pull away. She was so small she barely made a sound on the wood, but I could feel the weight of her hand in mine. It made something in my chest go tight. I wanted to just scoop her up and carry her, but I knew that would probably freak her out.
The bathroom was warm from the steam. Bubbles frothed on top of the water. It smelled like honey, and I felt stupid for worrying that she'd think it was too girly. She just stared.
I let go of her hand and pointed at the tub. “Take as long as you want. You can lock the door. There’s a clean towel there, and I left a toothbrush and soap.”
I didn’t crowd her. Just stepped out of the way, keeping my hands to myself like I was handling something fragile. Which, honestly, I was.
She hovered by the door for a second, looking at me like she was waiting for me to yell or change my mind.
“You’re okay, Holly. Go ahead.” I tried to make my voice softer. “You need anything, just call out.”
She nodded and ducked inside, still clutching the ribbon. I closed the door behind her and ran a hand through my hair, feeling about a hundred years old. What the hell was I doing? I'd given up wanting anything after Amanda, and I knew better than to go there again.
I went back to the kitchen and poured myself a second beer, but didn’t drink it. Biscuit was still pacing the hall, ears perked, tail wagging every time he thought he heard her. I got down on one knee and scratched his head, opening the back door. He would manage without a walk tonight, just a turn in the back yard.
“You like her, huh?” He thumped his tail against my leg. “Yeah. Me too.” He was quick as if he agreed Holly shouldn’t beleft alone for long, so I locked the door again when he was back in and quickly got his dinner ready.
Going to my room, I dug through drawers until I found the softest flannel shirt I owned and a pair of sweatpants with drawstrings. They’d be huge on her, but at least they were clean and warm.
When I came back, the bathroom door was still closed. I could hear the faint slosh of water, but nothing else. She was probably still in the tub. I just set the clothes on the floor outside the door and knocked, not loud. “Left you something to wear. Shout if you need anything.”
No answer, but that was fine. I figured she’d come out when she was ready.
Fifteen minutes went by. I checked my phone. Nothing. I checked the hallway. Still quiet. I tried to focus on the emails, but my thoughts kept drifting back to her, curled up on the rug with Biscuit, or shivering in the truck, or now, maybe, with her knees hugged to her chest in my bathtub.
I’d never wanted to fix something so bad.
When I finally heard the bathroom door open, I got up and went to the closed bedroom door. “Everything okay?”
