Page 71 of Broken
Jack held out the cup and, this time, Ethan accepted it from her. After a few sips, he handed it back. “Fank you.”
Her sweet smile might not assuage his young nephew, but it was sure as hell helping him.
“Feel better?” she asked.
“Uh-huh,” he replied.
Within minutes, Ethan had fallen back to sleep. Jacqueline was staring out the window at the city lights below.
He’d said enough—too much really. “I’m gonna grab a little shut-eye.”
She offered a nod before returning her gaze out the window.
Prescott closed his eyes, but sleep wouldn’t come. Too many thoughts occupied his headspace.
Prescott wasn’t a man of words. He was a man of action.
As the miles flew by, he needed to let this small child beside him know that he would be there for him, day in and day out.
Being a parent—a father—wasn’t something he thought about. Going forward, it would become a priority. He’d step up like his dad had. Fortunately for him, he had a damn good role model.
* * *
Jacqueline
At seven in the morning,the plane touched down. Despite the tense situation, Jacqueline was happy to be back in the DC region.
Prescott had Ethan in his arms, her computer bag slung over his shoulder, and her large rolling suitcase in hand, leaving her with the smaller one, along with her carry-on and handbag.
They looked like a family back from vacation. Only they weren’t a family and this was no vacation. She had a job to do and a deadline of yesterday by which to do it.
“I need to rent a car,” she said.
“I got you,” he replied.
They proceeded to short-term parking and he pulled to a stop in front of a black SUV.
After opening the doors to air out the vehicle, Prescott set Ethan down. “Do. Not. Move.”
Jacqueline eyed the small child. “Ethan, will you hold my hand?”
When he slipped his small one into hers, she melted. He was so sweet, so trusting of her. “How ‘bout we load you into your car seat? Can you help me with that?”
“Okay,” he replied.
She guided him to the back door, he climbed in, and then clamored into his seat. She buckled him in while he stared at her. Once finished, she smiled at him. “We’ll have to make sure your Uncle Prescott buys you some of that delicious water I drink, don’t you think?”
“It’s yummy,” Ethan replied.
“It is yummy,” she agreed.
After loading everything into the back, Prescott got behind the wheel as Jacqueline buckled herself into the passenger seat.
“Can I see my mommy?” Ethan asked.
“Not yet, buddy,” Prescott replied, as he backed out of the spot. “I have to check with her doctor, first.”
Jacqueline’s heart squeezed.
