The sun was shining through the windows and the kids were fast asleep.
Things were beginning to look up for the first time in years.
Melanie’s breaths were evening out as my eyes fluttered closed. I knew she would be tired, I just didn’t understand how tired I would be as well. The last thing I remembered before drifting off to sleep was Melanie’s body inching toward mine before she threw her leg over my body just so she could get closer.
CHAPTER 34
MELANIE
It had been a week since my captor had been caught and the cabin was alive with life. The kids were free from their sickness, Evan was making regular deliveries into town, and the routine we had fallen into was blissful. I ran around the house with Liam as Hadley crawled after us, giggling and trying to catch. They brought more joy into my life than words could express, and I was truly and completely happy. We were going to my dad’s for lunch that afternoon and I couldn’t wait. I wanted him and Evan to finally meet, and I wanted my dad to see the kids. He’d always been so good with children and I knew Liam and Hadley would charm him just as they’d charmed me.
After breakfast was over, I took the kids into the bathroom to get them cleaned up and dressed as Evan finished up some work in his shed. Even that had lost some of its terror for me.
I had gone out one day earlier in the week to see what he was working on, and I’d been pleasantly surprised at what I saw. The shed was large and bright, with lights shining in all four corners. There was wood and the tools that Evan used, and the snowmobile was off to one side. It was the complete opposite of the nightmare that I’d been held in and I found myself able to get comfortable enough to stay and watch Evan work for a bit while the kids were sleeping.
I learned that I loved watching Evan work. His strong hands, and broad back bunched with muscles as he maneuvered the wood and created beautiful pieces. I found his artistic side to be incredibly sexy and had been excited to show him just how much it turned me on.
Once the kids were dressed and Evan came in from his shop, we loaded up in to his truck and drove the two short miles to my dad’s house. I couldn’t wait to wrap my arms around him and introduce him to the man I loved.
Evan pulled the truck into the driveway and my father stepped out almost immediately. It was like he had been perched at the window, looking out at the road to see if I was coming.
“Mel!” my father called.
I ran to him and wrapped him up in a hug, thrilled by the ferocity with which he hugged me back. His strength was continuing to return and I noticed he’d even put a few healthy pounds back on.
“Dad, you look great!” I gushed.
“I feel pretty good too,” he said, patting me on the back.
Evan was rounding the truck with Hadley in his arms and he handed her to me before offering his hand to my father. I watched as the two most important men in my life shook hands in greeting and looked at one another with mutual admiration. It was more than I could ever have hoped for.
“It’s nice to finally meet you, sir,” Evan said.
“You as well, son. Please, call me Jacob,” my father said.
“Well, Jacob, you have an amazing daughter,” Even told him.
My father beamed and nodded his head. “Don’t I know it.”
I grinned like a fool as I stood between the two men and bounced Hadley on my hip.
“And who is this pretty little girl?” my father asked.
“This is Hadley. She is almost nine months old now,” I said.
“Oh, she’s precious. Could I hold her?” he asked.
Tears filled my eyes as I handed the baby over to my father. He cradled her against his chest and began to coo at her in the same voice he used on me when I was little. Hadley stared up at him for a moment before reaching up and grabbing onto his nose and letting loose a giggle.
My dad laughed, and my heart about burst out of my chest at the sight. Evan came back around, holding Liam’s hand. Liam looked up at my father holding Hadley.
“That’s Hawy, I’m Liam,” he said proudly.
“Well it’s very nice to meet you Liam. I’m Jacob,” my father said.
My father held Hadley with one arm as he reached out to shake Liam’s tiny hand with the other and we all walked into the house. Dad was bouncing Hadley in his arms and Liam barreled his way into the kitchen. He climbed up onto the kitchen table and reached for a banana, but I eyed him sternly.