Broken Dreams(218)

“Mr. Henry, I pulled out a sweet potato for you out of Ms. Addie’s garden.”

“Wow! That’s brilliant. Thank you. Is it all right if I share with the others?”

“Yes, of course!” Julianna skipped away from us. Henry stood up, and he saw that I was blown away.

He smiled at me. “She’s a doll,” he said.

“You’re going to be an amazing father someday.” I touched his cheek and smiled.



***



“How are you feeling?” Nick asked Claire as he sat down next to her on the couch in Addie’s living room. She was settling down after eating a decent meal for a change.

“I’m fine. I’m just really tired, physically and mentally.” Nick pulled Claire into him and hugged her. Claire pulled away. “Can you play me a song?” Nick looked across the room and saw his guitar propped up against the wall near the door.

“Of course. Anything for you.” He went over, picked up his guitar, and sat down on the edge of the threadbare couch. He nervously ran through a few chords, tuning it. He had already drawn a crowd. All the kids were peeking out of the kitchen doorway. Nick was clueless. When he began playing, he went into that zone…the same zone Claire saw him in when she first heard him playing.

The song, Run by Matt Nathanson, poured out of him full of passion as he delivered the piece of music with such finesse. Again, she was drawn to him like a moth to a flame.

When Nick finished the song, there was an eruption of applause from the crowd that had gathered just outside the kitchen doorway.



***



“I had no idea he could play like that,” Henry said in my ear.

“Yeah, he’s a natural. He had a lot of lessons when he was young, but then he grew bored and decided to continue on his own.” I felt like I was bragging about my own child. Singing and playing guitar was one thing that Nick had always done well. Henry smiled at me.

Nick stood up and bowed. “Thank you, thank you. I’ll be here all night, taking requests.” Everyone laughed.

We all sat around in the candlelit room, while Nick continued to play into the night. It was one of those very few moments where we could forget about everything that was happening outside that front door and enjoy a blissful moment.





Chapter 38





S





everal weeks went by. We had attempted to leave, but Addie insisted that we stay a little longer. She was concerned about our welfare. It was nice to have someone who wanted to watch over us, instead of wanting to kill us. Also, I think she enjoyed our company.

It was growing more difficult to perform draws in the packed house without being noticed. There was always someone wandering somewhere. We used to do it in the truck, but it was difficult getting out there alone without a tag-a-long or prying eyes.

It was the crack of dawn, and I felt Henry running his icy fingers up and down my arm, which made me shiver.

“Hey, love,” he whispered in my ear. I cracked open my eyes, and there he was, his nose touching mine while we snuggled on the floor. I smiled at him, even though his breath smelled like booze. It wasn’t the first time that I noticed his boozy morning breath, and I was quite certain that it wouldn’t be the last. “You want to go watch the sunrise with me?”

“Yeah.” We quietly got up and snuck out the front door with blanket in tow, trying not to disturb Thomas and Shay, who were sleeping in the living room as well.

After the first few weeks had gone by, we knew that Claire was definitely pregnant, and Addie wanted her to be as comfortable as possible. She gave her all the extra pillows that she could find.

Henry and I trudged out to the barn through the lightly frosted grass. We climbed up the rickety ladder and opened the upper doors to watch the sun do its thing. We snuggled up close together, with the blanket wrapped around both of us, enjoying the view of the sun beginning to peek through the trees. I felt him staring at me.

“What?” I said without looking at him.

“I’m admiring your beauty.”

I laughed. “Oh, Henry. Maybe you should be admiring the beauty of the sunrise. There may be a day when we won’t get to see it.”

He stroked my tangled locks. “And there may be a day when I don’t get to admire your lovely face.” Damn him and that rasp. He pulled me closer. “I’m thinking we should take off in the next day or so.”

I had to admit I was enjoying the home life dynamic. Even though it was cramped and we were sleeping on the floor, it felt so good. Also, I was glad to avoid Gunther.

“I want to make a run for supplies and gas today.” Then he added, “Plus, we need a bag.” He sounded like he was ashamed to ask.