Larkin heard the truth in her words. And he knew she had never been married. So what compelled her to reach out to battered women and frightened children? Normal people weren’t random in their actions. Everyone had an angle, something that drove them. Larkin was determined to find out Winnie’s motivations. Why it was so important to him, he couldn’t say.
When it grew too dark to see well, Winnie spoke quietly. “I need your help tomorrow,” she said. “I have to tell everyone in my care that I’ll be leaving Thursday. I want you to talk to them…explain that they’re safe. And that with me gone, the harassing helicopters and strange people trying to access the property will stop.”
“I thought I was persona non grata.”
“I’ll go in first. Prepare the way. But they will be okay. There’s something about you that inspires trust. You may be physically strong and capable, but you would never hurt someone defenseless.”
“How can you be sure?” He was genuinely curious.
“I don’t know exactly. I suppose I could be wrong. But you seem like a protector to me.”
He thought of all the nights he had hidden little Annalise in his bed, her small body quaking as they both cowered from their mother’s angry shouts. Larkin had always been torn. His brother, Devlyn, was bigger, stronger. Larkin heard the blows and knew his sibling would never cry out. He wanted to run out into the hallway and hit his mother until she backed off. But someone had to protect Annalise.
So Devlyn faced the alcohol-fueled beast on his own. And Larkin bore the shame.
He shifted restlessly in his chair. Rarely did he allow the memories to intrude. But Winnie’s artless assessment of his character brought it all back. “It’s true that I would never harm anyone weaker than I am. But don’t paint me as a hero, Winnie. I can be as self-serving as the next guy.”
He helped her carry the dishes to the kitchen. The lights in the house seemed harsh…unwelcome after the shadowed intimacy they had shared on the veranda. Winnie bent, efficiently loading the dishwasher. He knew Mrs. Cross wouldn’t blink an eye if they left the sink piled with dirty plates and glasses. But already, he also knew that Winnie possessed the kind of caring heart that would show consideration to anyone, regardless of social station or bank balance.
He leaned against the counter until she finished puttering. When she finally faced him, he held out a hand. “Care for a walk? That was a lot of calories.”
Seconds stretched into a minute or more. Winnie’s face was troubled. “I don’t know what happened last night,” she said slowly. “But I’m not in the habit of sleeping with men I just met. Even if the Wolff name does carry certain reassurances.”
“A walk, Winnie. That’s all.”
His promise coaxed a small smile. “I suppose it couldn’t hurt.”
“You want some shoes?”
She shook her head. “I love to feel the grass between my toes. I spent more money on the yard last year than I did on the house.”
“Then I’ll join you.” Her eyes widened as he kicked off his shoes and stripped off his socks. But she didn’t comment.
As they left the house via the main entrance, he deliberately steered her in the direction of the front gate. Most of his manpower was clustered around the two houses. So for some privacy, Larkin knew this was their best bet. They walked beside the stream, hearing little plops and splashes as frogs jumped into the water.