Protecting His Forever(39)

~*~

Screaming wakes me up from a deep sleep. Shooting up in bed, I look around frantically. Throwing the blanket back, I rush off the bed, but Kane is ahead of me. Following behind him, we run into Arabella's bedroom and find she isn’t there. Another piercing scream comes from the closet. With three long strides, he’s at the closet and all but rips the door from its hinges.

Arabella is curled up into a little ball on the floor. Her eyes are closed tight and little droplets of tears trickle down her cheeks. Kane lifts her into his arms, startling her, but once she realizes he has her, she rests her head on his shoulder.

Kane cradles her to his chest as she wraps her little arms around his neck. “Shhh, baby girl. I got you. No one is ever going to bother you again. I will make sure of that. You’re safe here.” He sways side to side.

He walks into our bedroom with her curled into his chest. Gently, he lays down on the bed with her. Crawling up beside him, I wrap my arms around her too.

“Fank you.”

I look up at Kane shocked. This is the third time she has talked today. It’s a small feat, but it gives us something. Hope.

“Nothing to thank, love bug.” I kiss the top of her head and lie down.

Kane lies still with her on his chest.

~*~

I wake up to something poking my nose. Cracking my tired eyes open, I see wild blonde hair and large blue eyes staring at me.

“Hey, baby girl,” I whisper softly. Kane is still asleep.

“Hi,” she says sheepishly.

Smiling at her, I ask in a hushed voice, “You hungry?”

Her little head nods up and down. Sitting up, I slide off the bed. Standing next to it, I raise my hands to see if she wants me to carry her. She lifts her arms. I pick her up and settle her on my hip as she lays her head on my shoulder sleepily.

Kissing the top of her head, we head downstairs. I gather all the ingredients for pancakes while she sits at the breakfast bar. I give her a spoon so she can help me stir. I always loved to help my mother in the kitchen.

“Want to stir, sweetheart?”

She looks at me confused. Taking her little hand, I place the spoon in her fingers. Moving her hand, I show her how. Her nose scrunches as she concentrates on stirring.

Thirty minutes later she is fed and Kane’s breakfast is in the oven keeping warm. He must have been really tired because he is always up before me. Scratch that, he’s coming down the stairs now—shirtless.

Clamping my legs together, I try to stop the ache. I crave him like my next breath. Butterflies swarm my belly as he comes straight for me. Standing up on my tiptoes, I wrap my arms around his neck. He picks me up off the ground and gives me a deep kiss that has my toes curling.

“Good morning, baby.” He gives me another kiss on the forehead and goes over to Arabella. He gives her a kiss of the top of the head. She smiles a little and it’s absolutely beautiful. “Good morning, baby girl.”

“Kane, go sit down, and I’ll bring your breakfast.” He gives me that crooked grin and sits down beside Arabella.

Taking his food to him, I go to Arabella. “You want to go play with your toys?” Her eyes light up, and I lead her upstairs to her bedroom.

“l will be right downstairs. I will be back soon to check on you.” She goes straight for the dolls laying by her bed.

Walking back downstairs, Kane is sitting at the table still eating. Sitting down beside him, I ask, “What do we do now, Kane?” I have no clue. Of course I have been around little kids, but I know nothing about her. She has seen so much in her short life.

“I have no clue, sweetheart.” He sighs and leans back in his seat.

So the rest of the day we just spend time together. Getting to know her and letting her get to know us. She is slowly coming out of her shell little by little. She’s still very skittish and watches our every move.

“Arabella, want to see the horses?” She looks up at Kane with so much excitement and even lifts her arms up so he can pick her up. He grabs his shoes and then hands me hers. I slip hers on her feet before he opens the door and heads to the barn.

“Sydney, let’s take her on a ride,” he yells over his shoulder, and I grab my shoes excitedly. I love horseback riding. I practically run to the barn. Kane is standing by a beautiful bay horse that Arabella is petting on its nose as she stares at it in amazement.

“Take her, and I’ll go grab your horse.”

Giving him a nod, I turn to Arabella who is now staring at me. “How do you like the horse, sweetheart?”

“Wuv it!” she says, smiling. Kissing her head, I squeeze her to me. Horse hooves hit the concrete and this horse is a Palomino.

Kane takes Arabella from me and sets her on his horse. I go to the Palomino and hop on. Kane gets on the horse behind Arabella who’s grinning from ear to ear.