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“No need to be sorry. Is Colin in your bag?”
It sounded like he was changing the subject, but she knew that he was trying to help her.
“Yes.”
“I’m going to put you down and get him. It’s all right. I’m not going far. You can watch me.”
He sat her on the bed, and she watched as he grabbed Colin and her pacifier.
“This pacifier looks a bit worse for wear, baby.”
It did. But she didn’t care. She squeezed Colin tight as she lay down. Then she parted her lips as he put the pacifier between her lips.
He crouched, brushing the hair back off her face. “I just need to check on Cammie. Then I’ll be back. I want you to stay right here. Can you do that for Daddy?”
She nodded.
Leaning forward, he kissed her forehead. “That’s my good girl.”
51
Faith tried to pull the numbness around her again after Reuben left. But it had disappeared.
Panic threatened to take her in its grip. There was a weight on her chest that she couldn’t seem to shake.
I can’t breathe.
Where was Reuben?
Why wasn’t he with her?
She needed to breathe.
“Little Blossom?”
She sat up as Reuben walked toward her, a worried look on his face. He sat facing her, placing his hand on her chest.
“Oh, baby, you’re shaking. Breathe. For me. In. And out. In. Hold, one, two. Now out.”
Her breathing grew easier as he talked to her. He drew her onto his lap, rocking her from side to side.
“You’re okay. Daddy is here. I’m so sorry I didn’t get to you sooner tonight. Before he hurt you.”
She took a deep breath, then let it out slowly. God, it was scary feeling like she couldn’t breathe.
“You did, though. You stopped him from hurting me. I’m so glad you came for me, Daddy.”
“Always,” he murmured. “Remember my promise? I’ll always come for you.”
She let that settle around her like a warm blanket. A cup of cocoa in front of an open fire.
It was a feeling of home.
“Come to bed. Please.”
“Of course, baby.” He got them both into bed, drawing her against him so her back was to his chest and her bottom was cupped by his thighs.
She reached over to grab her pacifier and slid it back into her mouth.
