I pulled Lizzy into my side a little tighter. I was trying so hard to refer to her by her real name, especially when other people were around. Although she would always be Rabbit in private and in my head, the name now felt very intimate to me and I wanted to keep it just between us as much as possible.
We were sitting around the table, introductions having been made and coffee poured. When Rabbit had first seen Adam get out of the car, she had backed away in instant panic. I had pulled her close, whispering comforting words into her ear as I felt her shake. Even I did a double take when I saw him. Easily seven inches taller than my six foot three inches, he towered above me and I was sure he looked like a giant to Rabbit. His shoulders were huge and powerful and his stride was confident and sure as he came towards us. But when he spoke and extended his hand to Lizzy and I, his voice was gentle and his demeanor one of kindness. He shook my hand first and then tentatively offered his hand to Lizzy. “I don’t bite, Lizzy. You can ask my wife. She’ll vouch for me.” He smiled kindly at her and then winked. “I don’t suggest you listen to my kids though, they exaggerate. Really, those are just little love nips on their feet.” I felt Lizzy relax and watched as his huge hand engulfed her tiny one in a brief shake. She smiled shyly up at him and asked how many children he had and their ages. The next thing I knew she was beside him, walking ahead of me into the house, his wallet out showing pictures of his five children and telling her amusing stories. I looked over at Trevor, who shrugged. “Charmer,” he mouthed. Cecilia shook her head, smiling, obviously used to Adam’s ways.
“Where’s Frank?” Lizzy asked quietly from her chair beside me at the table.
“He’s coming in a separate car with Daniel,” Cecilia smiled. “This one was not … large enough … for everyone.”
Adam laughed. “You are being too polite, Cecilia.” He turned to Lizzy. “My legs took up the entire back seat sitting sideways. Happens a lot.”
We all chuckled. Trevor looked over to the counter and stood up. “Are those pies? Real homemade pies?”
I groaned. I knew I should have hidden them. “Back off. They’re mine,” I growled.
Rabbit sighed and shook her head, laying a hand on my arm “Yes, Trevor, and you can have some once they cool down. Joshua is only too pleased to share with his guests, aren’t you?”
I opened my mouth to disagree but thought better of it when I saw the look on Rabbit’s face. “Yeah, absolutely,” I said grudgingly.
“Awesome. Do you have ice cream? Gotta have ice cream with pie,” Trevor enthused, not at all put off by my tone.
I shook my head. “Nope. Guess you won’t want any then.”
Trevor laughed and reached for his phone. “Frank had to hang around and wait for Daniel. I’ll get him to pick up some.”
Damn it, apparently I was sharing, no matter what.
Rabbit leaned forward and kissed my cheek warmly. “I already hid one, Joshua. And, I’ll make you more.”
I beamed down at her and squeezed her gently at the waist.
Adam chuckled from across the table. Then he addressed Lizzy. “I was hoping I could speak with you privately, Lizzy, about your … situation. Trevor has filled me in somewhat, but I have other personal questions I would like to ask you, if that’s all right with you. I’m sure you have questions for me. Then maybe I can advise you on your options.”
Rabbit nodded. “I want Joshua to stay, please.”
Adam nodded, not seemingly surprised by her request. “Whatever you want, Lizzy.”
It surprised me when Rabbit spoke up again. “I don’t mind if Trevor and Cecilia are here either. They know most of the story. And, without their help I wouldn’t be here now.”
Again, Adam nodded.
Trevor and Cecilia stood up. “We’ll go take Bear for a walk. When we come back, we’ll just be here if you want us, okay?”
I was grateful knowing they were trying to make Rabbit feel safe and give her some privacy.
I nodded at them, smiling in quiet gratitude. “Bear will love the walk. We’ll see when you get back, Cecilia.”
Adam sat back, looking at Rabbit with both sadness and admiration in his expression. For the past hour and a half he had asked questions, listened to her answers, made notes, looked at the photos, her journal and, finally, the torn blouse and the bag of pills. Trevor and Cecilia had returned and joined us about thirty minutes ago and sat quietly sipping coffee, hearing for the first time about Lizzy’s flight into the storm and what happened after she returned to Brian.
“You’re incredibly strong, Lizzy. You’ve survived so much. I’d like to take you through your options and how to move forward. Legally. You have a tremendous amount of evidence here. We can have charges filed against Brian immediately, have a restraining order issued, as well as begin divorce proceedings.”
We all looked at Lizzy, who was very quiet beside me. I was shocked when she shook her head.
“No charges, Adam.”
I gaped at her. “Rabbit!” came out loudly before I could stop my reaction.
“No.”