Hawk’s expression hardened.
Yes, she’d been a failure as a parent. She knew that.
He looked down at Aric and growled, “Obadiah was an idiot.” His tone made her shiver, yet Aric didn’t seem afraid in the least.
She swallowed and owned her failure in a whisper. “So was I.”
“You were conned. That’s different.” His dark blond brows drew together. “No endearments. And Aric whispers.”
She nodded. “Only the men were permitted to talk freely. To be loud.”
“Yeah, no. He needs to see it’s okay to make noise.”
“Of course.”
Hawk’s mouth tightened, and she knew she’d missed something.
Then he asked, “But if his mom’s terrified to raise her voice…?”
Aric’s mother took a step back, looking like he’d slapped her. Hawk winced.
Hell, he’d fucked up, hadn’t he?
How else could he explain that the way she tiptoed around and spoke barely above a whisper would influence the kid? If she acted as if she’d be yelled at for making noise, the boy would never change.
He watched as she recovered. As her gaze dropped to her son.
“You didn’t realize,” he said slowly.
She shook her head and said softly, “After a while—” Her hands clenched…and then her chin came up, and her voice emerged much louder. “After a while, staying quiet becomes a habit.”
Eyes wide, Aric stared at her.
So did Hawk.
She had a beautiful mouth, sweetly curved lips with the bottom one bigger than the top…and it quivered as she smiled at her son. “Aric, Obadiah and those men were wrong to order us to be quiet all the time. Sometimes, whispering is good—like when someone is sleeping, and you don’t want to wake them up. But when we’re with friends—like now—we can be just as loud as they are.”
The way the kid watched his mother as if she was an unexploded landmine made Hawk smother a laugh.
And made him want to pound a few heads together for what the kid had gone through.
But when the slender young woman discovered she had a motherlode of courage inside her? Now that was an honor to watch.
And when she turned and yelled across the patio, “Hey, Bull, I’m starving. When do we eat?” Hawk almost cheered.
Kit blinked and stared up at the ceiling. Oh look, I’m awake. Again. For what—the third time tonight? She shouldn’t have had that can of caffeinated soda at supper. She knew better. But, oh, it was such a lovely indulgence to enjoy the foods Obadiah had forbidden.
Unfortunately, the caffeine meant her brain kept waking her back up after an hour or two of sleep. Darn it.
Earlier, on the patio, she’d eventually relaxed around the Hermitage residents, although it would be nice if the guys were timid nerds instead of obviously dangerous. But during the meal at the oak picnic table, they’d been thoughtful when speaking to her, using gentle tones and expressions. Much the same as they were with Aric.
Eventually, she might resent being treated as if she was weak, but right now—she wrinkled her nose in annoyance—right now, she really was a wussy, and their consideration helped.
Because she was also far too inclined to panic. Like when they’d started sitting down. Frankie motioned for Kit to sit beside her near the middle, and Kit had frozen.
Then Hawk looked at her and pointed to the end of the bench. “Sit there.”
Also seated in the middle, Audrey frowned. “But we want her near us.”
He shook his head and told Kit, “Your instincts want an escape route. For now.”
He’d been right. The knot inside her had relaxed when she sat at the end…because she could run away if needed. Or jump out and put Aric behind her.
How had he known? As big and tough as he was, he’d never had fears like hers.
Once settled, she’d had a wonderful time. She’d forgotten how enjoyable it was to eat and talk with pleasant people. Intelligent ones who had busy lives. Ones who could argue about almost anything without getting upset. They didn’t believe there was only one way to do things, and no one else should voice an opinion.
The women spoke up as often as the men—and so did Regan.
Although Kit would need to make her own way and couldn’t stay here long, the interactions of the Hermitage family were exactly what she and Aric needed to see.
Caring, consideration, and equality.
Aric was already changing. Returning to the young imp he’d been before.
She grinned. He’d played so hard he’d been half asleep when she put him to bed.
Rolling onto her side, she reached out to the narrow cot beside her bed. Just to touch him, to reassure herself he was alive and safe.
The bed was empty.
Her heart gave a horrible thump. Where could he be?
The bathroom? No. The door was open, the room dark.
Arm pressed to her sore ribs, she sat up and pushed to her feet.
Soft footsteps sounded in the hallway. A big man shadowed the doorway and made a snort of exasperation. “See? Your mom’s awake.” The deep rasping voice was familiar.
“Hawk.”
One big arm under Aric’s butt, he carried her son in and set him on the cot. Aric stared at him.
“This time, stay here,” Hawk said. How could such a stern, harsh voice be so gentle?
Aric shook his head, his lower lip poking out. Her son could be extremely stubborn.
“This time?” Kit asked.
“Second time tonight.”
A man had entered her bedroom while she was sleeping. Icy fear slid up her spine.
Hawk rubbed his cheek where a scar parted his beard, then sighed. “Boy, if I bunk in the living room, will you stay put?”
Aric eyed Hawk, then nodded slowly.
“On the sectional?” Kit asked.
“It’s big enough.” He ruffled Aric’s hair. “Go to sleep, kid. I’ll be close enough.”
As Aric lay down, Kit tucked him in. Even before she kissed his cheek, he was falling asleep.
When she turned, Hawk had already disappeared.
Nice of Bull to keep a couple of heavy throw blankets on the back of the sectional, Hawk thought. He set his boots by the sliding glass door and stretched out. It was a comfortable enough couch for a nap, but he wouldn’t sleep that deep or long. Not on a couch. Not in someone else’s house—even his brother’s.
Then again, he wasn’t getting much sleep what with hauling the kid’s ass back over here. But there was no choice. Aric needed to be with his mother.
Such a damn pretty mother. Big, wide eyes and soft mouth. And even softer-looking breasts.
Dammit, don’t notice those things, dumbass.
Hawk had expected her to yell—or burst into tears. He’d scared her—and he’d also seen the flash of hurt that her son needed someone else.
But she’d sucked it up, and as he left, she’d been tucking her boy in. Kissing him on the cheek.
Lucky kid. What would it feel like to be the recipient of all that love?
Chapter Five
Hope for the best, but prepare for the worst. ~ Unknown
Midweek, in her Toyota 4Runner, JJ glanced over at her passenger and winced at the way Kit was holding her side. It wouldn’t do the woman any good to arrive at her physical therapy appointment already in pain.