“Did you feel that you needed it?”
Isabel thought about it for a second, and finally nodded her head. “Yeah, I do. They all love you, Edward. They all care about you, and they want the best for you. They don’t want a crazy girl ruining you.”
He reached out, taking hold of her hand. “The only crazy one here is me. I’m crazily in love with you.”
“Aw, you’re so sweet.” Leaning over the counter, she pressed her lips against his.
“It’s a fucking curse,” Ryan said, slamming open the door. He dropped his bag on the floor, and made his way toward the bar. “I need something strong and t
hat will burn as it goes down.”
She glanced at Edward, waiting for his consent. Only when he gave it did she pour a strong drink.
“What happened?” Edward asked.
“I passed the border, and I drove for like three hours, and then I just couldn’t take it anymore. This is where I live. This is my life, and I can’t just walk away. Starting afresh, it’s not going to cut it for me. I’ve got to make it work here in Cape Falls.”
“You’re not the only one who thinks that,” Gabriel said, coming inside. “I’m sticking around, and I’ve also talked to the Steer brothers. Cape Falls is going to move in a positive direction, a new direction, and I’m going to need all of your guys’ help to guide it.”
Edward looked at her. “We’ll be here to help. We’re not going anywhere.”
Once she finished handling the beer, and putting it in the right places, all of the guys and several of the women had come out to join them.
Isabel left them alone, and made her way outside to take some fresh air. It was starting to get cold again. She couldn’t believe how much time had passed, and how much had happened in her life.
Lowering down onto the step, she pulled her knees up to her chest and stared at the grounds around them. She loved when it got cold, and she would have an excuse to cover up, and snuggle into large clothes.
With the silence that surrounded her, she allowed her mind to drift, to think about everything else that was going on inside her world, past and present. After her visit back to her trailer park, she had made a vow to fight the burning feelings inside her. Whenever the darkness threatened to take her, she would fight it. Even when the pressure grew inside her, she would find some means to stop it.
Edward, he helped so much, and there were times that she really just wanted to be swallowed whole, and never think about all the crap that had happened in her life. It was in the past, and she needed to remember that.
“Hey, baby,” Edward said, sitting down beside her.
“I thought you were talking with the others.”
“I was, and then I was more interested in what you were doing.” He took her hand, and she stared down at their locked fingers. United together. This was what made her stronger as well. Edward, he never took. He gave her so much.
He gave her the freedom to breathe without the fear of life swallowing her up.
“I know there are times when you want to ask for me to give your stuff back,” Edward said. “It doesn’t fade so easily, does it?”
“No. It doesn’t. I wish there was a switch, and that it just turned off. I’ve got no reason to, and it’s not you.”
“I know. I’ve been talking to a doctor, and he has been helping me any way that he can to help me understand, to help me be better for you.”
She squeezed his hand. “Thank you, Edward. I couldn’t have done this without you.”
“I didn’t do anything, babe. You did all of this, not me. I just fell in love with you, and I wanted to help you any way I could.”
“You’re a special guy, Edward. Real special.”
He tucked some of her hair behind her ear. “And you, my beautiful angel, are the strongest woman I know.” He gripped the back of her head and pressed his lips against hers. “You make me so damn proud.”
Tears filled her eyes and began to fall down her cheeks. They were tears of happiness. They were tears of hope.
She could do this.
She could be strong for the two of them.