AllFreeNovel
Share Us
She flipped off the light, and the bathroom plunged into darkness again. If the witch couldn’t see her, she couldn’t hurt her brother.
Brother. It was a brother she was worried about. Who was he? Where was he? Did the witch have him under lock and key?
A soft rap on the door. “Jacqueline?” Cade asked.
Jacqueline. Jacqueline? Was that her name? Was she French? It could be her name, but she had a negative feeling surrounding that name.
She pivoted and pulled the door open. The light from the windows in the main area spilled into the laundry room, highlighting the irresistible cowboy. His green eyes were concerned for her.
“Jacqueline?” she asked. “Something with that name … it’s off.”
He swallowed, and she was fascinated by his neck and that Adam’s apple and … was there anything about him that wasn’t appealing?
“Jacey,” he tried again.
She studied him and, similar to when she’d prayed, she felt comfort and the rightness of the name. “That is correct.”
He nodded. “It fits you.” His gaze trailed over her. Did he like that she’d attempted to clean herself?
She was grateful for him, his protection, and that he’d discovered her name. She flung her arms around his neck and hugged him. “Thank you for rescuing me and gifting me with my name.”
Sadly, all she could claim was a first name and an injured brother she was concerned about, but she had her cowboy Cade and that improved the situation and her outlook.
“Sure.” He seemed a little uncomfortable with her hugging him. What had changed? He’d almost kissed her earlier.
The people who’d arrived? They knew her identity and their visit made him leery. She didn’t hear movement. Had they retreated?
“You smell like lavender and vanilla soap,” he said. “I love that smell.”
“The lovely scented hand soap doesn’t fit our tough cowboy.”
He eased back and smiled. “My mom has stock in Bath and Body Works.”
“Truly?” His mom? What about the rest of his family? What about hers? Her mind raced with questions as they conversed about soap.
“Nah. She loves it. I get hand soap and body wash and body splash for every occasion.”
No wonder he smelled tantalizing. He had a kind mother who gifted him scented soap. She didn’t believe she had a nice mother.
“Why are you all wet?” he asked.
She flushed, but shrugged. “I … smelled poorly.”
“You didn’t.”
“I looked horrific.”
“Not possible.”
She smiled. They stood there, staring at each other. The fact that he didn’t believe she’d stunk or looked awful made her heart swell. Then all the worries crashed into her. She needed answers and a multiplicity of help.
“Those men? Are they still here? Why did they come for me? Are they waiting out there? Is the awful witch aware of my location? My brother. He needs me.” She grabbed his arm. “Can you help me, Cade?”
He nodded very seriously. “Yes.”
“Thank you.” She wanted to hug him again but didn’t want him to stiffen and not respond to her embrace.
“Why don’t we go make some breakfast and talk this out?”
