Her bedroom has a bathroom, so I ask, “Do you want to take a bath or a shower?”
“Shower.”
Ronny runs into the room with some of his shower stuff and clothes. “I thought she might need this too.”
“You’re such a sweetheart, Ronny,” I praise.
He blushes hard and backs out of the room. I giggle to myself, feeling not the slightest bit ashamed for embarrassing him.
I set everything out for Anna and start her water. “Do you need help or do you think you got it? Oh, and here is a wash cloth for the body soap here.”
She tugs on the bottom of her shirt, “I think I got it, but I can yell if I need you?” I can tell she is hesitant to ask.
“Of course, honey. I’ll be right outside.” I point to the door and leave her alone, shutting the door.
Ronny is sitting on the floor, scrolling through the channels on her TV. “I’m going to find a good show for her.”
“I think you need to hop into the shower too, mister.” He laughs and sets the remote down. “Be right back.” He runs out of the room but peeks his head back in. “Mom.” He grins, and I hear him running down the hallway.
I sit down onto the bed holding my heart. He just doesn’t know what he has done to me.
I will cherish that moment forever.
I sit and wait on Anna to make sure that she doesn’t need me. Twenty minutes later the door opens and she walks out in Ronny’s Superwoman pajamas. He really put thought into it.
“You look so pretty, honey!” I tell her.
She tugs at the clothes, which are a little big on her but nothing like the clothes she was wearing.
“Thank you.” Her little cheeks redden from my praise.
“I’m here!” Ronny yells and runs into the room, holding his hair products. “Do you want me to braid you hair?” He is so excited.
He has braided my hair more times that I can count. Maverick lets him, too, and I think it’s so cute.
Her mouth opens in surprise. “French braid?” she asks.
He jumps once before setting the stuff onto the floor, sitting down. “Sit in front of me. I got this,” he says with so much confidence.
“I’ll go check on Maverick. I’ll be back.” Ronny doesn’t even pay any mind. He’s currently spraying leave-in conditioner in her hair and combing out the knots.
Maverick is currently plating the burgers and some fries. I know it’s not the healthiest meal, but this girl deserves whatever she wants.
“How is she?”
I lean against the counter. “Ronny is currently braiding her hair.”
Maverick chuckles. “He loves doing that.”
Ever since we took him to the salon to learn how to take care of his hair, he has been obsessed with taking care of it. I don’t even have to help him anymore.
“He does. Maybe we need to set up a chair for him in his bathroom and a mirror so it’s easier for him?” I suggest.
“I’ll get a prospect to pick something up tomorrow.”
“That why I love you,” I throw out there.
He tilts his head to the side. I continue, “It’s the way that without hesitation you do whatever you can for those you care about. We are so blessed to have you.”
He drops the spatula onto the counter, walking to me. I still get butterflies around him. Just looking at him catches me by surprise because he’s all mine.
I count my blessings, because coming from something that was not good, to this?
It’s heaven.
“Darlin’, if you’re trying to get me to fall in love with you, then I’m already gone.” He cups my face, staring deep into my eyes.
God, the way he looks at me.
If I ever had a reason to doubt his words, I just have to look into his eyes. They will never lie.
“I love you too, honey.” I stand up on my tippy toes, kissing him softly, pouring every feeling into it.
His hand buries into my hair, taking over the kiss, making love to my mouth. God, the sex with him is out of this world. Breaking the kiss, I say breathlessly, “Too bad you have to leave.”
He gives me a heated look. “I’ll be home later. I want to bury my face in between those thighs.” He licks his lips and I almost pass out from how sexy he is.
“Can’t wait,” I whisper into his ear, tugging slightly on his earlobe before I put distance between us.
The look he gives me, I almost lie across the damn bar and strip naked.
The moment is broken when the kids walk downstairs. Ronny has Anna turn so he can show us his masterpiece. “Wow, you did such a good job, Ronny!” I hug him. “You look beautiful, Anna.”
She smiles at me and looks around the house, taking everything in. I know that it’s very different for her.
If my parents still live in the same house, it’s a small one-room house. My parents’ bed was on one side of the house and my bed was on the other, and we had a small kitchen.
I honestly want to take a trip to Kentucky. I want to see my parents. They sent me away at fourteen years old to Michigan with a man twice my age who abused me.
I told them.
They did nothing. They allowed it to happen because my husband was my owner, according to the church.
This church is huge. I think it’s bigger than anyone ever realized and I think I want to get rid of it.
“Maverick, can I speak to you for a second?” I walk into the laundry room and shut the door behind him.
“I think I want to take a trip to Kentucky. I want to confront my parents and I think I want to stop this cult; I need to stop it. These young girls are still being abused to this day.”
“We will make it happen, darlin’. I’ll get the information we need. Vinny was raised in a cult. I wonder if it’s the same cult?” Maverick thinks out loud.
“Thank you.” I hug him before I open the door. The kids are standing around the table.
“Do you still like everything on your burgers, Ronny?” I ask.
He nods. “Yes, ma’am.”
“Do you know what you like on your burgers?” I ask Anna.
“I like cheese and ketchup.” I make their burgers and set them front of them, then a huge glass of milk each.
Anna grabs the burger with both hands, taking two huge bites before she even swallows.
Ronny leans across the table. I turn away so I don't embarrass her. “Go slow, it doesn’t hurt your tummy that way.”
I run into the kitchen, breathing in and out deeply, trying not to cry. That was the saddest thing I’ve ever heard.
It kills me to my core that he even knew that.
I want to kill his mother all over again; his mother is dead. I didn’t do it, but I know that she will never hurt anyone ever again.
I don't have one ounce of sympathy for her, She hurt Ronny on so many levels. I don't have any sympathy for my parents; I am sickened by them.
I look out of the window, taking one long deep breath before I join the others.
Turning around, Maverick is leaning against the counter. He’s there but letting me have my space in this moment. “Good, angel?”
I nod, rubbing my hand on his stomach before sitting down beside Ronny and next to Anna, who has already finished her burger.
“Do you want another one?” I ask.