Parker walked Hank to the door, waving as he pulled away. He didn’t care if Delilah wanted space, he was staying. It was nearly eight and his stomach was growling in anger. Parker headed into the kitchen and decided he was making dinner for them both. After throwing together grilled cheese sandwiches and some soup, he carried a tray upstairs.
“Delilah,” Parker called out as he knocked on her door, “Please open your door. I made some dinner. You need to eat.”
She pulled her door open, “What do you want? I told you that you could leave.”
“Yep, you did. But you need to eat, and I ain’t leaving. Made some grilled cheese sandwiches and soup.”
Delilah reached out and took the tray, “Thanks.” She slammed the door in his face. Parker clenched his fists, he wanted to punch the door, but he closed his eyes and took a deep breath instead. She was going to drive him mad with her shitty attitude.
“You can be a butthole all you want, but I am not leaving. I’ll be downstairs if you need me.” He turned, walking briskly downstairs. It was taking everything he had not to kick the door down and pull her into his arms.
Chapter 20
Delilah stared at the tray of food. Parker was only trying to help, but she felt like everything around her was falling apart. Eying the wooden box, Delilah decided to read again… maybe somehow Momma Belle’s words would alleviate the pain she was feeling.
Dear Delilah,
I’d hoped you’d be back home by now, but I see things are not going quite like I expected. I won’t lie. It hurts that you don’t call or write, but I understand why. John has isolated you from your friends and family. He wants to control you. And only you can figure out who he really is. No amount of words can convince you otherwise. But that’s not why I decided to write you.
I met a nice young man right after you left. No not a romantic kind of thing – he’s like a son to me. He left the Marines and found himself here in Alabama. Truth is I almost ran over him with my car. Turned out – he was exactly what I needed in that moment. He’s been working for me since. He does whatever needs to be done here on the farm. I had to let go of a lot of the animals, it was getting too much for me, even with him helping.
Parker has filled a void in my heart since you left. No, baby, he hasn’t replaced you – he’s just an addition to the love I have. This is the kind of man I expected you to fall in love with. He’s strong, kind, and loyal. He sits with me for hours listening to my stories of you. I swear he’s in love with the idea of who you are already. Maybe one day you can meet him. I think you’ll love him just as much as I do. I hope anyway. Delilah, you’re going to need family when I’m gone and that tool of a fiancé John isn’t it. I’m not saying Parker is either, but he will be the connection to me once I am gone. Lean on him when you need someone strong. He won’t let you down.
Things are going to get rough before they get better, be there for each other. Can you do that for me? There are so many things I need to say, but now isn’t the time.
I love you, Delilah.
Momma Belle
Delilah folded the paper and put it back in the box. She couldn’t stop thinking about what Momma Belle had said. She was right, she needed someone – she just didn’t want to lead Parker on. Sleeping with him had been a mistake, at least she was trying to convince herself it had been. She pushed the uneaten food to the floor and curled her legs to her chest. She wished like hell that Momma Belle was here right now. There was no doubt in Delilah’s mind that she’d knock some sense into her. Trying to give into sleep, Delilah tossed and turned. There was no way she was going to get any rest – every time she closed her eyes, she saw Ed lying on the stall floor.
“Delilah,” a soft knock at the door forced her to open her eyes.
“Yeah?”
Parker pushed open the door, peering inside, “You alright? I can hear you tossing around downstairs. Your bed isn’t exactly quiet.”
“I can’t sleep. Every time I close my eyes, I see Ed dead on the ground.”
“Can I help in any way?”
Delilah squeezed her eyes shut, she didn’t want to be alone, but she didn’t want to give him the wrong idea. “Do you think you could just stay with me for a bit?”
Parker stepped inside the room and pressed the door closed. “Sure, I’ll sit with you for a little while.” He pulled the desk chair to the edge of the bed and settled down in it.
“Parker,” Delilah whispered his name.
“What is it?”
“Um… can you lay with me?”
Parker didn’t need to be asked twice. He stood, walking to the opposite side of the bed, pulled the covers back, and slipped under them. He laid with his arms folded under his head, staring at the ceiling. “Alright. I’ll wait until you fall asleep before I leave.”
“Thanks.” Delilah stayed turned on her side. The closeness of his body calmed her.
Parker waited, silently praying she’d fall asleep quick. Being next to her was torture. He wanted to touch her, comfort her more than by just lying beside her. As if she’d heard his thoughts, her body rolled, pressing into his side. Her head nuzzled into the crook of his shoulder, as her leg wedged itself between his legs. He was thankful he was dressed, because his jeans hid his painfully hard cock. Wrapping an arm around her, Parker closed his eyes and gave into sleep. If this was all she was willing to give, then he would take it.
Chapter 21
Delilah woke wrapped in warmth. Her hand was buried under a cotton t-shirt, pressed against the hard ridges of muscle. Blinking the sleep from her eyes, she realized those muscles belonged to Parker. Trying to slip her hand from under the fabric without waking him, “Delilah,” Parker mumbled into her hair.
“Um… I don’t know what happened.” She giggled against him, embarrassed that they were tangled up with each other.
“You kind of rolled over and wouldn’t let go.”
“I’m sorry.” Slipping from his hold, Delilah stood from the bed. She rushed to the bathroom and slammed the door closed. Resting her head against the wood, she blew the breath from her lungs.
“Delilah?” Parker tapped the door, “You ok?”
“Yeah… I just need a minute.”
“I’ll go make us some breakfast.”
She could hear his footsteps echoing through the house. Splashing water on her face, she brushed her teeth and opened the door. Glancing at the nightstand, she realized the box holding the letters was still in the room. Sitting on the bed, she began to read more of Momma Belle’s words.
Dear Delilah,
I wish we were talking. I wish you were here. I wish… hell, I don’t know what I wish. There are somethings I need to tell you that shouldn’t be done through a letter. But since John has you tucked away, there really isn’t any way to do this. I’ve come to learn some information that wasn’t expected. Funny thing is, it makes me want to drive up there and knock some sense into you… again, something that wouldn’t change the path I am on.
No one knows what I am about to tell you. Not even Parker. And I don’t plan to tell him, so Delilah, don’t be angry with him when you meet him. He didn’t keep this from you. You can’t keep something from people when you don’t know. I need you to lean on him instead. He needs to be your source of strength. And when the time comes, Don, my attorney can lead you.