Page 5 of Emily's Essence

She shook her head. “I’m not hungry.”

“You’ll eat anyway. You look like you could blow away with a stiff wind.”

That was true. She’d never been this skinny before in her life, but running away from home and walking for miles could do that to a person. She unwrapped the sandwich and took a bite. She didn’t taste anything, but she knew she needed the nutrients.

“Here, drink this,” Hawk said and handed her a can of pop. “It will help.”

“Okay.” She drank half the can and was surprised when the buzz from sugar instantly started giving her a little energy to finish the burger.

Hawk studied her and nodded. “I’m going to have Doc look at you.”

She shook her head. “No, really. I’m fine.”

“We’ll look anyway.” He took the empty can from her. “Go brush your teeth first.”

She moved off the mattress, aware of each male’s scrutiny. When she came out of the bathroom, everyone was gone except Hawk, Brick, and Doc.

Hawk motioned her over. “Let Doc look at you.”

She shook her head and crossed her arms over her chest. “I’m fine. I promise.”

Hawk sighed, looked at Doc, and nodded. The man stood, picked up a bag, and walked out.

“Thank you,” she said.

“You’ve been through enough tonight. I figured we didn’t need to add to it,” Hawk said. “Why don’t you hop into bed?”

She nodded and gingerly lay down on her side to face the guys and pulled the blanket up to her chin.

The men settled back, drinking beer and talking softly or watching a show. Brick had pulled out the sofa bed and was laying back on it while Hawk sat next to her on the king-size mattress. She had no idea why she felt so positive that he’d watch over her. Maybe she had to tell herself that because he was all she had. Her eyelids lowered, and she slept peacefully for the first time in forever.

Chapter Three

“Is she finally asleep?” Brick asked.

Hawk looked down at her and nodded. “Yeah.” It’s what she needed the most. He’d had to hold himself back from questioning her. He wanted the answers to his questions but knew she was at the end of her rope.

“What are we going to do with her?”

“Hell if I know.”

“We can’t let her go on her own,” Brick said.

Hawk nodded. “I’ll think of something.”

“I’m going to crash.”

“Night,” Hawk said. He sat there after the two were asleep and finished his beer. He brushed his teeth and turned off the lights. He pulled his cut, shirt, boots, and socks off before laying down next to her. He stayed on top of the blanket, so she didn’t freak out when she woke up.

He was just about asleep when an idea came to him. Emily couldn’t stay on the road with them. Women couldn’t handle going for days, not bathing, sometimes sleeping out in the open, and constant movement.

He and his men had seen every part of the United States except Alaska and Hawaii. They were all getting older and appreciated a nice bed to sleep in, a roof over their heads, and food whenever they wanted. There was one place he thought he and his men would be happy settling down. He would just have to talk to his friend and see. At the moment, he needed sleep.

When he opened his eyes, the sun shone in the window, and he had a sweet woman plastered to his side. How in the hell had she gotten this close to him without him knowing? It was disconcerting. Everyone who knew him knew not to touch him when he was sleeping, or they were liable to get killed.

He rolled out of bed and took his clothes and bag into the bathroom to shower and get dressed. When he came out, Brick was sitting up, but Emily was still sleeping.

He dumped his bag on the floor. “I’m going to make a call. I’ll be right back.”

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