Page 39 of In Hiding

There was a question in his words, but she wouldn’t answer. He had to have the courage to ask it outright. Even then, she couldn’t guarantee she’d answer honestly. If William’s reaction to her accident was raw, it was nothing compared to what he’d witnessed as a child.

“Without a father, he feels like he needs to be the man of the house.”

Jake shook his head. “There’s more to it. What did he mean when he told me you almost died before? He said your body couldn’t take the fall, not after what he did. What did he mean Sarah? Not after what he did?”

Her son’s words sent a shiver down her spine and conveyed a depth of damage to his psyche she hadn’t fully realized. At ten, he’d undergone counselling when he was released from the hospital, but she’d never been privy to what went on behind that door. Though she believed them to be close, he’d hadn’t confided in her either. It was like they’d both shoved history into a dark corner, hoping that if they never talked about what happened it would just go away.

It was obvious he suffered, now more than ever. Watching her be attacked had stayed with him all these years, but at least now he would get the help he needed.

“I’m sorry,” Jake interrupted. “Forget I asked. It’s none of my business, it’s just, I think your son is hurting and doesn’t know how to handle it. It’s clear he loves you and doesn’t want to see you hurt. It’s good to see he’s getting some help. Kate has been here a couple of times and he seems to look forward to her visits.”

Sarah blinked, becoming aware of the tears blurring her vision. Turning away, she wiped at them. “Thank you.”

“Can I get you anything? I can make you something to eat, if you like.”

What was left of her stomach grumbled in answer. Swallowing the thickness in her throat, she shook off the sadness and attempted a smile. It was pitiful. She didn’t need to see Jake’s reaction to know that. “Some soup, if you would?”

“You need more. A sandwich?”

The thought of bread made her long for the doughy goodness she could no longer digest. “A cup of soup would be perfect. You just need to boil the kettle.”

He smiled and nodded, reaching over to pat her hand. “I can do you one better. There’s left over soup in the fridge. It won’t take long to reheat.”

“You cooked?”

He chuckled as he walked through the wooden archway into the kitchen. From where she sat, she could only catch a glimpse of gray clouds through the kitchen windows.

“Does it surprise you?”

Well, yes. “I know it wasn’t William.”

He laughed louder and she heard the fridge open and close. “You might be surprised at my talents,” he called.

“So, you’re saying it’s good I kept you around?”

His head appeared in the archway and a cheeky smile split his face, easing the tension in the air. “Exactly.”

She listened to the sound of him lighting the stove and the scrape of metal on metal as a pot was slid into place. Relaxing back into the over-sized armchair, Sarah closed her eyes and willed the ache in her leg to go away. Though the surgery was two weeks ago, some stitches remained. The young wound itched like mad, but it was the throb deep in her thigh muscles that unsettled her most.

“You like vegetables, right?”

He sounded right by her side and when she opened an eye, that was exactly where she found him. “I do. Thank you for feeding them to a teenage boy.”

His deep, hearty laugh wormed its way into her chest. “He protested, I assure you. You’re not about to fall asleep on me, are you?”

“I am very tired.”

“Which is why you need to eat, Sarah. To keep up your strength and heal faster.”

He was right. “Would you bring me some paracetamol and a glass of water?”

“Are you in pain?”

She nodded, hearing the call of sleep. “A little.” It was a lie, but she didn’t want to admit the truth.

He knelt beside her chair, his face close, his eyes pleading with her. “Sarah, please. Tell me the truth. I can’t help you if you won’t let me.”

Her breath caught in her throat at the sound of his voice, but she remembered how easily her ex could trick her into forgiveness when it suited him. Was Jake capable of the same deceit? Could he manipulate her the way Ryan had?

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