Ann found herself propped up in the middle of the large bed with several soft pillows behind her back and head. Dirk hovered near as if she was going to disappear into thin air. He maintained the excuse that the damage to her hands had sent them back to square one as he inspected the thick bandages covering both.
Mrs. Arp and Dr. Lanier gave knowing glances at each other and discretely left them alone after a thorough examination. Ann had been given strict orders to stay in bed until she was completely healed for the health of the baby. Despite the bruises, aches, and pains, she crossed her arms over her stomach and smiled. He loved her and they were going to be a family. This was so much more than she had ever imagined, and all because she let her mind stay open to the future.
“What are you smiling about, minx?” Dirk caught the brief reflection of emotion crossing her face with relief.
“I am happy beyond belief.” She reveled in contentment and wonderment.
“Are you feeling okay?” He prodded her again.
“I am fine, love. I’ve never been better.” She reassured him.
“Good. We have one more visitor today. I hope it is not too much for you to bear.” He caressed her cheek with the back of his hand where it was mottled with a purplish black bruise. His anger flared anew.
“As long as you are with me, I can face anything. Who is it?”
Tiger jumped on the bed between them, meowing his protest.
“Sheriff Johnson.” He watched her flinch. “No matter what, Blaze, you are mine. Remember that. I love you and I take care of my own.”
“I am so ashamed.” She hoped he meant those words. “I am so ashamed. I bargained myself for a brass tub. I would been forced to submit to… him,” She spat out her disgust. “For what? An object. A material object that is not worth anything. I know it was my mama’s brass tub, but what was I thinking?”
“You were thinking that you would not lose. If Roberts had been any manner of a decent man, you would not have been put in that position. If the people of this town had been any sort of decent folk, they would not have propelled you to desperation. Roberts built his entire life taking advantage of the less fortunate. Indirectly, the citizens aided him with their unreasonable fear of Banks. You were not his first and would not have been the last. He was a sick man.” Dirk then told her about the horrors he had found when he searched Robert’s home: the sinister dungeon, the keepsake box of souvenirs from many victims, and a log of all the people past and present who owned some type of compensation for a loan.
“What if he had succeeded? What then?” She uttered her fears aloud for the first time. “I was ignorant.”
“Just like you told me, you are a survivor. You were doing what you thought you had to do to hold on to a memory. He took advantage of you, but he’ll never do it again.”
Her husband reassured her.
It was time for her to ask the question. She had to know the answer. “Did you know about the terms of the contract? Does it make you think less of me? Does it make you hate me? Does it make me an unworthy guttersnipe as he claimed?”
His stormy blue eyes were decidedly calm. “I knew. Why do you think we were married in such haste? I could not bear the thought of that scum so much as even touching the hem of your dress.”
“So you paid my loan in full?” She whispered softly.
“Ten times the amount and I would have paid a hundred more.” He confessed. “He was never supposed to bother you again. I warned him what would happen if he did, and I keep my word. Fortunately I have the signed contract in writing. Sheriff Johnson won’t be able to press charges against me, but I do suspect he will make our lives a bit difficult.”
Her mouth dropped open. “Ten times the amount?”
An easy smile broke across his face. “A mere pittance for you, my love.”