“I know, baby. I’m so sorry I didn’t get to you sooner. I didn’t realize you were here already. I thought you’d come to the office before you went anywhere else.”
“I should have, but I just wanted to get it over with.”
“Oh, baby.” He nuzzled her neck.
Travis walked up to them. “The cops are on their way and are going to want to ask her questions.”
He nodded at Travis. “I know. We’ll be up in our office. You might mention that I’m not leaving her alone with them.”
“The cop is one I know well. He won’t try to separate you.”
“Good. I’m taking her up.”
She balked when he tried to walk her down the hallway. “I don’t want to see anyone yet. Please, Eli.”
Travis nodded. “Take her to your condo. I’ll send them up there.”
Eli nodded and picked her up. He stepped into the condo and didn’t even glance around. His whole focus was on holding her. Then he sat in one of the big chairs and arranged her across his lap with her chest pressed against his.
He gritted his teeth when she started crying again. “Get it out. I’ve got you, honey.”
After several minutes, her tears dwindled until she lay against him, exhausted and wrung-out.
He smoothed the hair from her face. “How are you doing?”
She hiccupped and nodded. “I’m better.”
“Good. Let’s get you cleaned up.”
He lifted her and headed down the long hallway. At the end, he could see a room with the door open. He guessed it was the master since the bed looked like a king. After he walked through, he sat her on the counter in the bathroom. With a handful of bath tissue, he wiped the tears from her eyes and cheeks and then put the tissue over her nose.
She sat very still with her face tilted up. The trust in her actions was overwhelming. He finally understood what his father and grandfather had been telling him for years.
“Blow, baby.”
Without hesitation, she blew into the tissues.
He wiped her nose and then tossed the tissues into the garbage basket. Then he rooted through the drawers to find a washcloth, got it wet with cold water, and then set it on her eyes for the swelling. “This will make you feel better, honey.”
She hummed and kept still.
“Hello,” someone called out.
“That must be the officer to ask you questions. Do you feel up for it?”
She exhaled and nodded. “Yes, you’ll be able to stay with me, right?”
“Baby, I’d love to see them try to pull me away from you right now.”