“Both men wanted me to tell you that they were sorry.”
Cherry smiled. “I already know they were. Their dad put the belt to them and possibly worse. They were punished when they were younger. They don’t need to be punished anymore.”
Elijah left her side and walked back to his office. He grabbed the file containing all of her information. “Here, that is everything I have on you.”
She took the file from his fingers.
“I won’t go hunting anymore. I promise you. I need a drink.” He left the room, going through to his office again to pour himself a generous shot of whiskey.
Cherry followed behind him. He watched as she knelt before the fire on the floor. Sipping at his whiskey he admired her curves in the skirt she wore. Her full ass was on display, tempting him to touch and play with.
She put each piece of paper into the fire, watching them burn.
“Why were you determined to burn this?” he asked.
“This file is only focused on the past. I’m so sick and tired of living it. I don’t want to think about the past anymore. Wouldn’t you want to destroy everything that reminded you of those final moments with your wife?” She glanced back at him.
“Yes.”
“I’m not just a number or a bunch of papers with facts on. This doesn’t tell you anything about me.”
“It told me you were a survivor.”
“Everyone is a survivor, Elijah. Some people just have to fight a little harder than others. I’ve had to fight a lot, but I don’t have to keep fighting for what I want.”
She placed the folder into the fire, poking away at the ashes. This was her past gone up in smoke.
Elijah was happy to be part of the burning of her past. He was going to concentrate on her future with him and, he hoped, a baby.
Chapter Nine
Three weeks after moving into Elijah’s room and Cherry couldn’t believe the change in her life. She’d gone from being a struggling student making her way in life by cleaning houses, to living in luxury. Elijah spared no expense to his daughter’s care. They’d become a family who shared a great deal together.
She cooked meals with Mindy, and they always sat together. In the mornings Elijah came with her to drive her to school. Since she’d been living in his home, she’d also convinced him to allow Mindy to have friends over. It had really brought the girl out of her shell. She was far happier with life than Cherry remembered in the short time she’d known her.
“It’s Friday night, Mindy. You demand me home,” Elijah said, glaring at his daughter.
Cherry stared at her study book not really paying any attention as Mindy argued with Elijah.
“I know, but this is really important. It’s my first ever sleepover. Please don’t spoil this for me.”
“Spoil it for you?”
“Yes. We can do family night next week, or tomorrow. Don’t you want to have some time alone with Cherry?”
Elijah glanced over at her.
Holding her hands up, Cherry shook her head. “I’m so not getting involved with this. It’s between you and her.”
“You can go,” Elijah said, without arguing.
“Really?”
“Don’t make me change my mind.”
Mindy threw her arms around him. “Thank you, thank you, thank you.”
“I get it, you’re thankful.”
The young girl ran out of the room screaming about how she was going to get ready.
“You’re letting her go for a sleepover. This is a big step for you,” Cherry said, resting her chin on her hand.
“Well, I already knew they were planning it. John called me in warning. I just wanted her to fight for what she wanted.” Elijah leaned down and picked up a bag. “I’ve got plans for us tonight.”
She took the bag from him, opening it up to see a red silk dress. “Where are we going?”
“To Ecstasy. It’s time I showed you what having fun is all about.”
Putting the dress away, Cherry swallowed down the lump in her throat.
Mindy ran downstairs minutes later with her bag packed ready to leave. She hugged Elijah then pulled Cherry in for a cuddle as well.
“I’ll see you both tomorrow afternoon. Bye.”
Following Elijah they watched Mindy climb into the back of John’s car.
“He knows to keep an eye on her?”
“Yes, he knows to keep an eye on her.” Elijah waved as Mindy waved vigorously back. “She’s staying over, and it won’t be long before she’s wanting to go out and date.”
“How are you going to handle the boys sniffing around your daughter?” Cherry asked.
“Simple, I’ll shoot them.”
She chuckled.