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And when he heard footsteps behind him, he knew it was his brothers following him back into his house.
His family. His world.
CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR
Bella turned off the security video of Jacob and his dad that she and Phoebe had been watching, since Bella had access to his security system. "Holy crap," Bella said. "That was amazing."
Phoebe was stunned by what she'd seen. What she'd heard. This man had sold Jacob's sister? Now she had a glimpse into what Jacob had endured as a child. She'd known it must have been bad to have created the response in Jacob, but…wow…
Her heart broke for him…and for what it meant for them.
The back door opened, and Jacob walked in, followed by two men she didn't know, plus Lucas.
"Jacob!" Bella raced down the hall and flung herself into Jacob's arms. "I'm so proud of you."
Jacob hugged his sister, but his attention was on Phoebe. He kept walking, walking straight toward Phoebe.
She could see the need on his face, and she knew now wasn't the time to tell him that there could be no future with them. Tomorrow would be time enough. Tonight, Jacob needed her, and she wanted to be there for him.
So, she held up her arms and swept him up in a hug when he reached her. He locked his arms around her waist and lifted her off the ground, crushing her against his chest, burying his face in her hair. He held her that way for a long moment, until his family consumed them with hugs and cheers.
Jacob laughed. "Annie's asleep. Keep it down." He waved them all to the kitchen, keeping his arm around Phoebe.
As they walked away, Phoebe heard her daughter's sleepy voice calling to her from the bathroom. "You guys do your thing," she said. "I need to do Mom stuff."
Jacob frowned. "I'll help with Annie."
"No." She touched his arm. "Go with your family. We'll be here when they leave."
He smiled and nodded. "All right." He kissed her quickly, then released her.
Phoebe paused to watch his family surround him with support and love. There was triumph, but there was also a depth of weariness and pain, making her realize that every one of them had a similar past, and they all had gone through that moment with Jacob, experiencing it from their own places of trauma.
And yet, they were in that kitchen, laughing, supporting each other, always there together as a family. Loving each other. She had a sudden desire to walk over there, introduce herself and meet these other members of the Hart family. To feel their love directed at her.
"Mama!"
Sudden tears filled Phoebe's eyes, and she turned away, slipping into the bathroom. Annie was propped up on her elbows, frowning sleepily at the door, while Cupcake thumped his tail happily. "Why am I in the bathroom?"
"Because Jacob was watching a loud movie and I thought the bathroom was quieter." Yep, she was going to lie to her daughter. Any good mom knew that strategic lies were the stuff of masterful parenting techniques.
Annie held up her arms. "Bed, mama."
"You got it, honey." Phoebe picked up her daughter, then used one hand to open the door. Cupcake ran out into the kitchen to greet the guests, while Phoebe slipped into Jacob's bedroom with Annie. She tucked her daughter into the big bed, retrieved the fuzzy blankets and stuffed animals from the bathroom, then snuggled her daughter, who needed her or Cupcake in order to fall asleep.
Annie fell asleep quickly, but Phoebe didn't. She kept replaying the scene from outside. The sociopathic depravity of Jacob's dad. He'd sold Jacob's sister. All the guns that the Harts had pointed at his head. Jacob's face when he'd turned to walk away: triumph, empowerment, and a peace she'd never seen in him before.
How had Jacob become so full of love and nurturing when that was his past? It showed the strength of his character, the power of his soul, the healing effect of finding his family.
He was such a good man. It was no wonder he could connect with animals with a tough past, with Annie, and even with her. He understood those shadows, but he also knew how to find peace and goodness in himself despite those tentacles.
She didn't want to leave, she realized.
She wanted to stay with him. In this house. In this life. With him, his horses, and his family. Annie would thrive. She would thrive. And she suspected Jacob would thrive.
But the little girl in her arms didn't give her that choice.
As soon as Annie's biological father was found, they had to leave…and quickly, before it became impossible for Phoebe to do what was right.
