Page 41 of Ultimate Freedom

“You mean about Teddy signaling him?”

“No, I got that part. How did he recognize Orville?”

“My understanding is that Glen caught sight of him behind the wheel. Both the men knew that seeing Teddy meant a potential problem. It wasn’t until they managed to stop Orville that Teddy told them Charlie had been locked in the trunk. Seems the bastard grabbed him outside the store while he’d been shoveling. Charlie struggled, so the prick hit him.”

“See… that’s what I don’t get. How did Teddy happen to be there just then.”

“According to the copy of Teddy’s statement that they sent over, he was heading toward the store to give his buddy a hand and he saw the car pull up. A man rushed out, leaving his driver’s door open and approached Charlie. When Charlie tried to get away, Orville grabbed him and had to hit the kid to make him stop struggling. When Teddy saw Orville stash him in the trunk, he snuck into the front seat, slipped over into the back and hid, thinking he could get help somewhere along the road.”

“Which he did. Smart.”

“Yep. Clive’s done a good job with his kid.”

Demi grinned. “I think his mother might have had something to do with that.” She laughed at Dawson’s cagey expression.

Catching on to her teasing, Dawson nodded. “Maybe a little bit. Okay just messing with you. Stop glaring like you’re gonna thrash me. Maude’s a great mom.”

Suddenly, the front door opened, and Demi felt her pulse ramp up. When she swiveled in the door’s direction, she saw Harold and Lefty approaching, both wearing big grins. “We just heard that Whit is coming home, and he saved Charlie and Teddy.”

Dawson stood up to greet them, waving at the empty chairs at their table. “Yep. Its good news all around.”

Again, the door opened, and Demi’s stomach tightened. This time it was Norrie who held the door for Lexie. Amid greetings, they made their way over to where the group sat. Pulling up chairs at the table across from them, they too removed their outer clothes. “Whit’s coming home?” Norrie questioned while searching Demi’s eyes, and grinned. “It’s a big day.”

“Just shut it.” Demi knew when she was being teased and gave as good as she got. Norrie laughed. “Can’t help myself. I’m happy for you, you know that… right?”

“Yeah, I know.” Demi slouched against the wall, making herself small, feeling like she was on some sort of display.

Before she could take a bite out of her sandwich, the door opened again and this time Charlie and Teddy bolted through, followed by Glen. Teddy got swept up by his brood, and Charlie slowly made his way to her. When she stood and opened her arms, he walked right in, laid his head on her chest, and leaned his weight against her.

Holding him close, she kept watching until she finally saw the man she’d been waiting for all her life. His tall body stepped into the restaurant, his eyes searching until they found hers.

Their gazes held forever, his filled with hot needy emotions, and hers answering. When he winked just for her, shethought her knees would give out. “Hey, darling.” His voice went straight through to her innermost places, and if Charlie hadn’t had his arms around her, she might have melted into a puddle.

When Charlie spoke, it took long seconds until she could look away from such heat and turn her attention elsewhere.

So, this is what it’s like to be the special woman in a unique man’s world.

Chapter Twenty-five

Once Whit finally closed the door to their bedroom and saw Demi waiting for him, all his uncertainties reappeared. He stood at the door and just stared. In the light from the small bedside lamp, she was beautiful. With her red hair amassed around her shoulders and the flowing white nightgown, she looked like an angel to him.

“What? Is something wrong?” She didn’t move.

“Nope. I just missed you. Seeing you here in front of me, I’m tongue-tied… like a kid with his first crush.”

Demi giggled. “I can’t imagine you being nervous of anything.”

“Trust me, baby. I’ve never been this jumpy with anyone before. But because no one else ever mattered as much to me as you do.”

“I matter?”

“More than anyone or anything. Demi, I love you, woman. Have for a long time. And I’ve been kicking myself for holding back from sharing how I feel.”

“Why did you?”

“I could never really tell if you felt as strong about me… until recently.”

“You couldn’t tell? Christ, I must be a better actress than I thought. I’ve been crazy over you since you left for the fire and didn’t come home. Every day I went through such agony, and it became clearer and clearer that I wanted you so badly, I felt like the world had faded to gray. I love you too, Whit. With everything inside me.”

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