Page 15 of Protected By Duval
Noelle felt a little light headed.
When was the last time she’d eaten something?
“Noelle?”
Her heart pounded against her ribs.
“Yeah,” she spoke softly, almost to herself, “I need to sit down.”
“Okay. Come with me.”
For a moment she wasn’t sure that she could walk, but when she felt his hand on her lower back as she moved with him.
The moment they stepped inside the barn she felt some kind of relief.
Maybe it was the shade on her face or the earthy smell of the barn, she felt pleasant.
Air filled her lungs and when he showed her to the bench, she sat down, grateful for the respite.
“You look better.”
She smiled and tipped her head back, lifting her face into the air. “Thanks, I feel better.”
He gestured to the space beside her. “Do you mind if I sit down beside you?”
“No,” she shook her head and heard the creak of wood as he settled beside her. “I’m sorry this happened here.”
He shifted on the bench and she heard the sound of a horse nearby.
“I’m sorry, too.” He sighed. “My mom and dad bought this property when they married and added this part of the property from a neighbor when the family moved on.”
“Hmm…” she took in another breath. “I’m sorry your mother had to see it.”
“To say she was shaken…”
“It’s an understatement. I get it.”
There was a moment when McCrae went completely still beside her.
She didn’t know how she knew… but she knew.
She… felt it.
“You have,” he hesitated to finish his question.
Even though she knew what he meant to ask, she didn’t interject.
She needed time to come up with an answer that wouldn’t end up with her crying.
Again.
“You have experience with things like this?”
“Not me,” she drew in a breath through her nose, “my daughter.”
She smiled at the thought of her daughter. Always so precious to her.
“Ciela saw her father killed in front of her.”
