Page 81 of Never Quiet

“Even if it was three weeks or three months, you wouldn’t be ready so we’re going to rip off the band-aid and get it over with.” She put her hand on Amanda’s shoulder. “I know a lot is happening. A lot more is going to happen. A year from now, you should be somewhat settled into a new life. The pieces will slowly stitch together. Two years from now, you’ll feel whole again. There will be some cracks, some scars, but overall, you’ll feel right in your skin again.”

“Thanks.”

“One day at a time.”

She pressed a kiss to Amanda’s forehead and walked to Nate’s office. As the door opened, she saw several people clustered around a laptop. Dakota looked tense.

Amanda didn’t want to know.

Returning to her bedroom, she worked a couple of hours and had every drawer and shelf sorted.

She condensed her personal belongings that she was leaving behind on one side of the closet. There was a large duffel, a suitcase, and a box that would go with her.

Changing into her bathing suit, she stared at the space her family remade for her. A place where she read, studied, played with her sister, chatted with Davis, stalked Erick’s Facebook profile, and lived the life of a teenage girl who was smarter than most but still a girl.

Dropping her coverup over her head, she grabbed her towel and left the room, closing the door gently behind her.

So as not to disturb the quiet memories inside.

* * *

Smiling from the center of the pool with Heather in her arms as Roark and Ashok appeared on the back patio, Amanda asked, “Do you like to swim?”

The smaller man tilted his head. “Swim?”

She nodded. “The water is great. You should come in with us. I’ll introduce you to everyone. We’ll have a pool at the new house, too.”

They toed off their shoes and sat on the edge of the pool. She walked over with her sister. “This is Heather. She’s four.” Setting Heather on the edge of the pool beside Ashok, she said and signed, “This is Roark. This is Ash. Friends who are going to work with me.” To the men, she said, “She’s a little shy speaking at first.”

Heather signed and Amanda interpreted, “She said she very much likes your face, Ash.” Chuckling, she added, “She didn’t know it was possible for someone so young to have such white hair, Roark.” The big man laughed. “Yes, they can be your friends, too. You should talk though.”

Standing, Heather put her hand on Ash’s shoulder. “Hi.”

“Hello.”

“I’m Heather. I’m four.”

“I’m Ash. I don’t…know how old I am.”

Her sister nodded seriously. “We should have a birthday party and you can make up a number. That’s what Grandma does and we laugh and laugh.”

She touched her lashes. “Yours are longer. Like my doll.” Leaning against him, she sighed. “You’ll be with my sister?” He nodded. “Amanda doesn’t sleep late. That’s the only thing I don’t like. I like everything else. You will, too.” She kissed his cheek and it seemed to shock him.

Then she walked around his body, leaned her wet bathing suit butt against his upper arm, and talked to Roark. “I’m Heather.”

“I’m Roark.”

“Your eyes are like mine. Golden brown. That’s what Mommy calls mine. Can I touch your hair?” He leaned over and she stroked her hand over it. “So pretty, like a unicorn.” He sat up and she giggled. “Maybe you’re really a unicorn! Wouldn’t that be neat?”

“It would.”

Zoe appeared beside Amanda with a smile. “Just leaning on him like everyone is okay with that.”

Laughing, Amanda replied, “It’s like she can barely hold her weight up. So tired all the time. Either being held, leaning in exhaustion, or outright sleeping. Pretty sure she’s lazy, Mom.”

She introduced the men to her mother and Zoe said, “I like the look of you. You’re very calm but strong. The three of you are a good match, I think. Davis was so right to suggest you.”

Roark’s eyes widened. “It was Davis?” Amanda nodded. “My god, we practically tortured him during training.”

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