Page 43 of Finding Love

She listened to his phone call and wondered why he was home so early. Then she looked at her watch and realized it was past six. Somehow, she had lost track of time.

They spent over an hour waiting for the police to show up and another hour talking to them and working with a sketch artist.

Brook stood under the hot spray in the shower and once again cried. Only this time, the tears weren’t for her. They were for the thirty-two-year-old mother of two who hadn’t been as lucky as she had. The woman—the police hadn’t given them her name—was currently in stable condition after a quick surgery to repair her fractured eye socket and broken nose.

She’d been found sexually assaulted and beaten, mere feet from where Brook had encountered the man. Had he attacked the other woman first or had the attack been in retaliation of the humiliation Brook had handed him?

When Ryder’s strong arms wrapped around her, she jumped for just a split second before relaxing back into his chest.

“Hey,” he said softly. “Are you okay?”

She nodded, not trusting her voice.

“I am,” she finally said as she rested her head back against his shoulder.

He turned her around, and she wrapped her arms around his naked body.

“Brook, you know…” he started. But she jerked back.

“Don’t you dare say that there was nothing I could have done.” She eyed him. For a moment, he appeared as if he was going to argue, but then he nodded. “I should have thought. If I had called the police sooner…”

“It probably wouldn’t have changed much. Maybe they’d catch the guy sooner? Their best estimate is he attacked the other woman before hunting you down or moments after you left. Even if it was the latter, the police couldn’t have gotten there soon enough to stop the attack. Now, thanks to your detailed description, they have a better chance at catching this guy. The other woman is still unconscious.” Ryder sighed and rested his head on top of hers. “I’m so sorry this happened.” She felt him take another deep breath. “My god, I should have…”

“What?” She leaned back and looked up into his eyes. “Not let me out of your sight?” She shook her head. “I guess neither of us should be beating ourselves up. I shouldn’t have lost my shit and should have called the police sooner. I credit being in shock for my momentary stupidity.” She tried to smile but then just ended up resting her head against his shoulder again.

They stood under the hot spray for a few moments. She’d wanted a shower to wash off the memories of the man’s hand on her. The rank smell of him that was stuck in her nostrils.

“Tell me you have some chocolate or a tub of ice cream in the house.”

She felt him relax. “I’m sure there’s something.”

She leaned back and looked up into his face. “Thank you. For… being here.”

The small crease between his eyebrows was back, and she could tell he was holding in his thoughts.

“Why don’t you dry off and pull on those cute fuzzy pajamas you brought along. You can rent us a movie if you want?” He brushed his fingertips down her cheek. Then he placed a soft kiss on her forehead. “I’ll go hunt us up some comfort food.”

This time, her smile was genuine. “Sounds wonderful.”

By the time Ryder came back upstairs with a tray full of sweets, she and Willy were tucked into the bed, scrolling through the list of movies available.

Ryder set the tray down and looked at the pair of them. “I’m only going to allow this once,” he said with a chuckle as he motioned towards Willy.

The dog looked at Ryder and then laid his head on Brook’s lap and sighed. Ryder laughed.

“Once,” he repeated. Willy groaned in response, causing her to laugh along. “Did you find something for us to watch?” he asked, sitting down, and pulling the tray up between them on the bed.

She shifted Willy so that he wouldn’t be in the way.

“I think so. It’s between Maleficent or The Avengers.”

“Your choice.” He shifted until his arm was wrapped around her shoulders.

“I haven’t seen Maleficent yet. I’ve watched The Avengers like a dozen times.” She hit the button on the remote and the movie started as she picked up the bowl of chocolate chip ice cream that he’d made for her.

They snacked on junk food and watched what her cousin Nick would have deemed a kid’s movie. When they were done snacking, he set the tray down and pulled her into his arms, settling Willy on her other side.

When the movie ended, she could tell Ryder was fast asleep and still holding her tight against his chest. She lowered the volume on the television and started another movie, knowing full well she wouldn’t be able to fall asleep for hours yet. Thankfully, the movie relaxed her, and eventually she fell fast asleep.