Slade picked himself off the floor glancing at the nurse who looked to be in shock. Walking over, he touched her shoulder. “You okay?”
Her eyes focused, looking around. Then, she looked up at him. “You’re not a normal doctor are you?”
His golden eyes glowed with a smile. “No,” he chuckled, and then frowned, rolling his sore shoulder. “No, I’m not.”
She nodded, and seemed to shake off the drama that had unfolded, resuming her professional air. “Well that doesn’t matter. We still need to get the baby’s picture and prints.” Looking at Pam, then Duncan, she nodded. “You both can come.”
Pam held Duncan back until everyone had cleared the room. “Why didn’t you tell me?”
“Because, I didn’t want to upset you,” Duncan replied without hesitation. “You were safe.”
“I know I was safe, and I appreciate you didn’t want to upset me, but please don’t keep something like that from me again.” Pam frowned. “I needed to be prepared, and I definitely wasn’t. And he used to keep things from me. I don’t like it.”
“I’m sorry.” Duncan frowned. “I was just trying to protect you.”
“I know, but I have to hit this head on, and I need to see what’s in front of me.” Pam touched his face. “I can’t be blindsided like I just was. Please understand that.”
“I will always protect you, but I won’t keep anything from you again.” Duncan rubbed her cheek with his thumb. “I swear it.”
“Thank you,” Pam replied, glancing at the door Kenny had left through. Her body shook from the inside out at seeing Kenny again, but she had held it together. She saw one thing that she had never seen before, and it gave her hope; it gave her courage. Kenny Lawrence was afraid of something; she had seen it in his eyes, and that something was the man standing so protectively in front of her.
“Are you okay?” Duncan watched her closely.
Looking away from the door, she nodded. “Yeah, I’m okay.”
Pam lifted the baby to Duncan and watched him take the baby in his arms, love and protectiveness shining in his eyes as he looked at him. Knowing that if anything happened to her, Daniel would be taken care of and loved made her heart soar.
*****
Adam jumped up on the porch slamming into the old house. Walking into the kitchen, he looked around. Hearing voices out on the back porch, he headed that way.
“Hey, Jill.” Adam nodded toward her. “Can I talk to Tessa for a minute?”
“Sure.” Jill glanced at Tessa leaving the box of Christmas decorations she was going through.
“What the hell are you doing?” Adam waited until Jill was back in the house before he spoke.
“I’m getting the Christmas stuff out,” Tessa replied without turning around, digging with her good hand through a box. She knew exactly what he was talking about, but talking about it with him wasn’t something she wanted to do.
Adam grabbed the box throwing it to the side. “That’s not what I’m talking about, and you know it.” He grabbed her turning her around, being careful of her bandaged hand. Dark circles shadowed her eyes. “Jesus, sis.”
“Stay out of this, Adam.” Tessa jerked away from him.
“No, I’m not going to stay out of it.” Adam kicked a box out of his way so he could sit down on an old bench. “I stayed out of it with the Sheriff, but I’m not going to stay out of it this time.”
“Why is my personal life so important to you?” Tessa threw up her uninjured hand in frustration.
Adam frowned. “Because you’re my sister, and I can’t stand to sit by and watch you make the biggest mistake of your life.”
“It’s not a mistake,” Tessa replied, her tone angry because she honestly didn’t know if she was making a mistake or not. She was torn with what to do. Her head said one thing while her heart said another. “I know what I’m doing.” She totally lied and hoped her voice didn’t give her away.
Adam stared at her for a long moment. “You’re afraid.” His eyes widened realizing the truth. “You’re afraid that Jared is going to do the same thing that bastard did to you.”
“Otis is dead, Adam.” Tessa frowned. Damn her brother for knowing her so well, for being able to see right through her.
“Is he?” Adam cocked his eyebrow looking much older than his age. “Not in your mind he isn’t. Jared isn’t Otis, Tessa. You’re afraid. Admit it.”
She just shook her head at him, turning back to the box she was working in. “I’m busy, Adam.”
“You’re afraid and running.” Adam stood. “Admit it.”
“Okay, dammit. I’m afraid. You happy?” Tessa turned so fast, her head spun. “Just a picture tore my heart out. I don’t know what I would do if I found them…together. So yeah, I’m afraid….scared to death that I won’t be able to get over it this time.”
“Jared isn’t Otis, Tessa.” Adam reached out grabbing her hand. “Do you think I’d be here on his side if I even had a hint that he would treat you that way?”
“No, but…”