I nod my head that I understood. Turning so my legs are hanging out of the truck I brace myself for the jump to get down. Once again, I feel myself being lifted. This time I'm carried toward the house, bridal style. My face is turning red and I try to tell him that I'm capable of walking, but he beats me to it.
“It's freezing out here sweetheart, I don't want your feet to touch the cold ground when I can just as easily, and quickly, carry you inside.”
The next thing I know Hawk is opening the cabin door for Bear and we walk into a beautiful living room. The outside of the cabin seems so rustic. The inside is the complete opposite. Hanging from the wall is a very large flat-screen television. The couch that sits opposite the tv is solid black. As well as the coffee table and the side tables on either side of the couch. The cabin is surprisingly tidy for a man’s home and you can definitely tell a man lives here. It's just begging for a woman's touch.
Instead of putting me down Bear walks me past the living room and down a hallway. He stops in front of a door and then gently places my feet on the floor.
“This is the bathroom,” he says pointing at the door in front of us. “Directly across from the bathroom is the guest room. Why don't you take a hot bath while I get your room ready for you?”
I look at the floor trying to muster up some courage. He doesn't know this but talking is hard for me. Not painful hard, just hard in general. I was never allowed to talk much. If I did so without being asked a direct question I would be punished. Painfully.
“Thank you,” I whisper. “Thank you so much for helping me. I promise to be good.”
He reaches his hand up and with one finger guides my face until I'm looking in his eyes. With a frown on his face, he says, “You're welcome. I won't let any harm come to you and we'll talk about what you need protecting from, tomorrow. For now, go relax in the tub. Take your time, sweetheart. I'll have soup and a warm bed ready for you when you get out.”
With a small nod, I turn and go into the bathroom but stop when Bear says something.
“One more thing, we need a name for you. Is there any name you want to have?” He asks me.
Shaking my head, I whisper, “No, I've always wanted a name, but I wanted someone to pick it for me. It doesn't mean as much if I choose one myself.” I blush knowing that what I've said sounds silly. Who wouldn't want to pick their own name? I just feel that a name I choose myself has no meaning like the ones most parents or loved one pick for a newborn child.
“Okay,” he says with a smile. “How about Rose?”
I tilt my head to the side wondering why he would choose that name. It's a beautiful name. Do I deserve such a beautiful name?
“Why Rose?” I ask quietly.
With a smile, he says, “Because you blush so beautifully. Like a beautiful Rose.”
Feeling myself blush at his silly compliment, I give him a small smile.
“Rose,” I say as my smile widens and I blush deeper. “I love it. Thank you.”
“I'll see you after your bath, sweet, beautiful Rose,” he says.
Turning quickly so he can't see my annoying blush, I walk into the bathroom shutting the door behind me. I turn on the tub and while it fills, I remove my dirty gown trying to keep my painful cries silent. I just know it's really bad this time.
I turn to get a look in the mirror and cry at what I see. My father let him do this. He stood there and watched. Unlike the times my father had done so, this man pushed harder which means it will take longer to heal and will leave an even uglier scar.
I turn from the mirror and sink into the tub. Pushing my knees up I wrap my arms around my legs, lay my head on top of my knees and pray that the water will disguise my tears.
Bear is wrong.
I will never be a beautiful Rose. I will only ever be an ugly, damaged nobody.
Chapter Four
Bear
I go to my chest of drawers and look for a shirt for Rose to wear until we can get her some clothes. Rose. A beautiful name for a beautiful woman. When she said that she wanted someone to give her a name, I couldn't think of anything more perfect. Every time she blushes her pale skin reddens all the way down her neck. I just wonder how far down her blush will actually go.
I'm heading back to the bathroom to put the clothes on the sink when I spot my twin leaning against the hallway wall with a knowing grin on his face.
“What's with the face?” I ask him.
His grin gets wider and he asks, “What's with the whistling?”
Ignoring his question, I walk away with his laughter following me. I was not whistling. Was I? Dammit. Okay, so maybe I was. I can't explain it. I feel relaxed having Rose in my home. I know we still have a ton to talk about, but I feel... happy.
Until I open the bathroom door.
Rose is sitting in the tub making herself as small as she can. Her head is resting on her knees and from the movement of her shoulders, I could tell she’s crying. But that isn't what had my feet frozen to the floor.
On her back were dozens of scars. Both old and new. The newest scars couldn't have been more than a day old. Some even had drops of blood seeping out. A few were inflamed showing signs of an oncoming infection. I went from happy to fucking pissed instantly.
Knowing I will get all my questions answered soon I try to shove away the anger. I don't want to scare my beautiful Rose any more than she already is. Taking a deep breath, I walk the rest of the way into the bathroom.
“Rose, sweetheart, I have you a shirt and a pair of my boxers. The shirt will swallow you, but you can roll the boxers, so they won't fall off,” I talk softly. She's still silently crying, and I don't know how to help her.
Normally I would just barge over there and take her into my arms, but I have a feeling that it would have the opposite effect of what I want. I slowly walk over and kneel beside the tub. I say nothing. I just want her to know that I'm here. I'm not sure how long I knelt there silently before her small voice filled the room.
“Bear,” she whispers.
“Right here, baby”
Hearing her sniff and seeing the tears running down her face makes me want to kill someone. Preferably the someone who scarred her skin.
“I'm so frightened,” she tells me. Her face is still laying on her legs, but her eyes are looking my way. Not looking in my eyes but at least they are pointed in my direction and not on the floor.
“Will you tell me why you're afraid?” I softly ask.
She stays silent for a few minutes before answering.
“I'm afraid he will find me.”
“Your father?” I push.
“No,” she says. I'm very confused. Her father was the one who chased after her a couple of hours ago and she was terrified of him. There is someone else out there who she fears even more?
“Who is he, Rose?”
“I also fear how easily I’m trusting you. I’m afraid that my instinct is wrong and you’re not a good man. I’m ignorant of the real world. Of real people. I have no idea what to do. I’m so lost.”
Hearing that she’s afraid of me almost breaks me. “I swear to you, sweet girl, I will never cause you any harm. I can’t explain why, because I don’t understand it myself, but I have a feeling that my future depends on you.” Her eyes flick up to meet mine. “Now, who is he?”