Page 17 of Aaric
She’s obviously stunned, too.Her eyes are huge, her mouth open, and no sound is coming out of her.
I rush to continue, “That being said, I want you to know that I will never tell you what you can and can’t do.You are a grown adult, free to make your own decisions in life.If you want guidance, I’ll be happy to help, but if you want to cut your hair off, I’ll get you an appointment with a stylist in town tomorrow.If you want to get a tattoo, I’ll drive you to the shop and hold your hand.If you want to go sky diving, I’ll…wait on the ground because I’m not jumping out of any planes.”I tack on that last part, laughing.It’s true, but I think this speech needed a bit of levity.
She doesn’t so much as blink for a long time.Still staring at me while I resume brushing through her hair.
“Would you like a braid down the back, honey?”I ask softly.
She gives me a slow nod.There are tears in her eyes, and she discreetly reaches up to wipe them away.Hopefully, I’ve touched something in her that endears me to her.
I quickly braid the gorgeous blond locks down her back and secure the end with a hair tie.“There.How’d I do?”
She smiles.“Perfect.”
“Let’s get some food in you.Andrew made some stew earlier and brought a pot of it over.It’s been cooking all day.”
Her stomach grumbles.“It smells heavenly.I noticed it before I went to sleep.”
I round to face her and take both her hands to help her get to her feet.I’ve noticed she’s struggling.She’s in a weakened state, and I’m sure she’s totally off balance.I can’t imagine what it must feel like to carry a human inside your body.So weird.
Holding one of her hands, I lead her to the kitchen and pull a chair out for her.I bring the pot to the table and open the lid.
Hannah closes her eyes, inhales deeply, and moans.“That smells divine.And do I also smell fresh bread?”
“Yep.”I return to the counter to grab the cutting board.
She leans over the pot, and then her attention shifts to me.“That’s a lot of food.”
I shrug.“My brothers and I take turns cooking for the entire family most nights.We only know how to go big.You and I will have leftovers tomorrow.”
“And for the next month,” she jokes.
“Ha.Have you seen me eat?”I ladle some into a bowl and set it in front of her.Then I cut a thick slice of bread and pass her the butter.
“I think I’ve died and gone to heaven.Do you suppose it’s possible that I never actually survived the walk to your property, and I’m dead in the woods somewhere?”
I cringe.“Fuck, I hope not.If you’re dead, so am I.And I’m not ready to go yet.I’m not letting you go, either.”
Her expression immediately drops.The light in her eyes dims as she lowers her chin.
“Hannah…”
“I’m confident God will not let me survive childbirth.”
I flinch.“Why would you say that, honey?”
She shrugs.“Because I don’t deserve goodness.”
“That’s total bullshit, Hannah.”My words are harsh, but I try to keep my tone somewhat softened.“I’m going to erase that nonsense from your head if it takes me forty years.You’re a kind and good person.You deserve the best in life.”
She inhales deeply and looks away, facing the front of the cabin.Suddenly, she gasps.“Holy cow.What are all those boxes?”
I chuckle.It’s funny she didn’t notice them when we first entered the room.“I told you I ordered a few things I thought you might need.”
She jerks her gaze to me.“Aaric!You can’t be serious.How could I possibly need anything, let alone all of that?”
“You’re about to have a baby, sunshine.Where do you think it’s going to sleep?Do you know how much a baby needs?”
She had picked up her spoon, but she drops it, and it clanks against the table.Her eyes are wide again.She’s so stunned she doesn’t even move.
