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“But you didn’t.” I keep my voice soft but firm. “And you’re not going to.”
She lets out a shaky breath. “You don’t know that.”
“Yes, I do.” I rise from my chair and tug her up into my arms, holding her close. She buries her face against my chest, her shoulders shaking. I tighten my embrace, rubbing circles across her back. “I know you, Cedara. Maybe not for long, but my gut tells me that I know the important stuff. And I know you’re not going to let this beat you.”
She pulls back far enough to look up at me, her eyes glistening. “How can you be so sure?”
“Because you’re not alone in this.” I brush a curl away from her damp cheek. “I’m right here with you. And you know what? I think it’s time we got out of this apartment for a while.”
Her eyes widen with a flash of panic. “Out there? With people? Barrett, I can’t—”
“Yes, you can.” I frame her face in my hands. “You need to see that you’re in control here. That wolf isn’t who you are. She’s just a part of you…a good part. Don’t let this situation convince you of anything else.”
She swallows hard but gives a tiny nod.
“That’s my girl. Now go get ready. I’m taking you down to the market for some new clothes.”
Cedara hesitates, worrying at her lower lip. But after a moment, she slips out of my arms and heads for the bedroom. I let out a slow breath once she’s gone. I have to stay strong for her, have to convince her that she’s got this under control. The truth is, the thought of her losing control again terrifies me, too. But I know she needs to face this head-on before she’ll ever believe in herself again.
By the time she emerges, I’m waiting by the door, keys in hand.
“You ready?” I ask.
Her face is pale but set in determination. “Ready.”
I loop an arm around her shoulders and pull her close against my side. She melts into me with a tremulous sigh.
“It’s going to be okay,” I murmur against her hair. “I’ve got you, beautiful. Always.”
By the time we reach the small cluster of stores that serve as Steel Lakes’ shopping district, Cedara has relaxed against me. She’s looking around in awe, taking in the sights of the small, tidy town. Pride surges in me. It’s not a bustling metropolis and certainly no Fifth Avenue, but we’ve done well for ourselves here.
I push open the door to one of the small boutiques that line Steel Lakes’ main street, the little bell above jingling cheerily. Cedara hesitates for a beat before I give her a reassuring smile and guide her inside with a hand at the small of her back.
“Barrett! Good to see you.” A tall, willowy woman emerges from the back room, her warm chestnut eyes crinkling at the corners as she grins at me. “Who’s your friend?” She sweeps a wave of strawberry blond hair over her shoulder, eyeing Cedara curiously.
“Raura, this is Cedara. She just joined us here in Steel Lakes.” I turn to Cedara, whose gaze is fixed uncertainly on the other woman. “Cedara, this is Raura Pierce. She runs this little shop…along with the market we have here at the weekends.”
“It’s so nice to meet you!” Raura closes the distance between them in two long strides and envelops Cedara in an enthusiastic hug.
Cedara freezes for a moment, her eyes going wide, but then something in her seems to melt. She returns the embrace, a smile tugging at the corners of her lips.
“You too,” she murmurs as they part. “I love your shop.”
“Well, thank you!” Raura beams at her. “Please, make yourself at home. Let me know if you need anything. Or better yet, let me help you pick something out. I can pretend to be your personal shopper.” She gives Cedara an exaggerated wink.
As the two women fall into easy conversation, I step back and simply watch them, unable to smother a grin of my own. Cedara is already so much more at ease than when we first arrived, her shoulders losing their rigid line as she laughs at something Raura says. This is more like it – this is the woman I’ve only glimpsed fleeting traces of until now.
“You’re going to need some things,” I interject once they’ve established a rapport. “Clothes, essentials. Whatever you need, Raura can help you out.”
Cedara’s eyes find mine, a silent question in them. I give her a small smile of reassurance.
“Don’t worry about a thing. Raura will put it all on my account.”
“Oh, I couldn’t possibly—”
“Please.” I take a step closer and drop my voice. “Let me do this for you. You deserve it.”
She searches my face for a long moment before giving the tiniest of nods. Spinning back to Raura, her shoulders are set in determination.
