~ Nick and Noah aren’t answering my texts or calls. What the hell is going on there? I don’t feel right about this.
I looked up at the guys. “Did you answer him yet?”
They both shook their heads.
“This isn’t right though. He should know,” Nick said.
I couldn’t stop the tears that pooled in my eyes. “Nick, if you tell him, I won’t hear the end of it. I already feel suffocated with all the security on me as it is. I can’t handle more. Nick, please.”
Claudia reached across the bed and took Nick’s phone from his hand. “I’ll tell him Anna was tired and so we’re back at the hotel resting. It’s not a lie.”
“It’s not the truth,” Nick pointed out.
“But it’s for the best,” I said. “He’ll be no good if he has to worry about me all the time. He needs to focus too. Just like the rest of you.”
“You know he’ll find out one day,” Nick said, “and when he does, there’ll be hell to pay.”
“And I’ll pay it,” I said. “It’s my problem, Nick.”
Suddenly the hotel room door swung open and Jake stood in the doorway, flanked by Eli and Mark.
“Jake!” I said as I sat up straight and tried to keep the evidence of my dizziness from reaching my face.
Nick and Noah stood to greet him, but he pushed past them and came right to me. “Are you okay? What happened to you?” Then he turned to Nick and Noah. “Why haven’t you answered your phones?”
Before either could answer, I said, “Jake, I’m perfectly fine. Look at me. I’m just tired and not feeling that great.” I clutched my stomach as evidence.
He touched the facecloth in my hands and then gave it to Claudia. “Get her a cold one,” he ordered. Claudia did as she was told and went off to the washroom, pulling Nick with her.
“Lay down with me,” I said as I rested my head back down on the pillow and patted the bed next to me. He didn’t lie down, but instead sat next to me, leaning over me protectively.
“I missed you,” I said, kissing his fingers softly, and hoping the diversion would be enough.
He nodded, clearly not yet in the mood to forgive me for putting him through hell.
“Jake, don’t be mad. I’m perfectly safe.”
Our eyes locked and he took a deep breath. “I hate being away from you. I felt sick all afternoon.”
I forced a laugh, but couldn’t help but keep the irony from my voice. “Me too.”
Jake looked back at the others standing near the door. “I’ll take it from here, guys. Thanks for taking care of her.”
Noah nodded and when Nick didn’t answer, Noah said, “No problem, man. Anytime.”
I sent a thought to Claudia: Please tell Nick I owe him one. She winked and they left, leaving me in the arms of my protector as I contemplated a strategy to prove my independence to him.
Acknowledgments
First and foremost—thanks to God for my continual passion, perseverance and patience. I am not naïve—I know I would not be writing this paragraph without Him.
Thank you, Austin, for being you—the inspiration behind this novel. You defined success for me when you read Branded from start to finish in just three days.
Thank you, Judy, Annette and Krista for being my guinea pigs and reading this in its first draft, offering helpful advice and much-needed encouragement.
Thank you to my dear mother who consistently took my kids off my hands so I could have a few hours to write. Your gift is Helping, and you are my hero.
Thank you to my supportive husband and children who instinctively knew that when I was cranky, a couple of hours in my Writing Room would fix the problem.
Thank you to my amazing, supportive friends who shared in my excitement as I wrote each novel, reviewed the cover designs, and prepared for launch. It’s been so much fun having you on the ride with me.
Last, but certainly not least, I would like to say a big thanks to you, the reader, for taking the time to read this novel. I hope you enjoyed it at least half as much as I enjoyed writing it.
K.L. Hawker lives with her husband, three children and faithful Golden Retriever in Halifax, Nova Scotia. When she’s not writing, she enjoys photography, playing the piano, and travelling the globe with her family.
Join K.L. Hawker on Facebook and follow along on her adventures:
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www.klhawker.com
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