Her CEO Stalker and Her Second Chance Mate Chapter 34

Carter

“Easy, Martha,” I said sternly, gripping her shoulder. “Her ribs are broken.” 

Martha immediately pulled back. “I’m so sorry, child, I was just so excited to meet you.”

Briar recovered bravely just nodding before saying she was okay.

“Henry! Get your ass out here! Our grandbaby is here!” That was all the proof I needed. Martha had just claimed Brair’s golden ticket, though he didn’t need to know that just yet. I’d need more information, the kind I couldn’t come by at the office. The kind that meant I needed to spend more time with Briar; now, that, I could do. 

Old Henry Anderson’s massive form blocked the light from the house as he filled the doorway. The old-timer may have aged, but he was still built with sinew and muscle. He studied Briar, undeniable recognition catching him off guard. Emotion overtook him as tears filled his eyes. I’d never seen Henry emotional; even when Jake died, he had been like a sequoia tree of strength to Martha.

“Welcome home, pumpkin,” he said, pulling her in gently and petting her hair. Briar’s shuttered breath told me a lot, even though she quickly pulled away and tried to stop the mascara before it could run down her face. She had been alone too long; people like us needed our community to lean on. All she ever had before was her mom and Jake, from what little she told me. I’d be fixing that one way or another. I took her hand, interlacing our fingers, as Martha guided us inside. She let me, and when I squeezed her hand in support, the look of thanks and appreciation on her beautiful face was almost more than I could take. Time seemed to pause, a soft vibration hummed between our connected hands. A throat cleared, while Briar’s attention shifted to the humble cabin with its expert craftsmanship, mine landed on her over observant grandpa. I guess this was going to take some adjustment. I shrugged at him, he glared back, as Martha babbled in the background, and I waited to see if Henry had something to say about it. He said nothing, but gave me a look that said: hurt her and you die. I dipped my head submitting, letting him know I understood. I released her hand and wrapped my arm around her cupping her hip and pulling her gently into my side. It was an unspoken response, not a chance in hell would I harm this woman. Ninety percent of communication by people like us was body language. He grunted with a half nod in acceptance. Well, that was easy, now I had to wait out this woman.

“You are just in time, dinner is just coming out, I hope you like lasagna,” Martha mushed, as Briar’s eyes tried to take everything in; the cozy kitchen, the four chairs at the handmade dining table, and the rustic looking stove. Briar seemed to appreciate the simplicity of the place, her eyes roving over all the simple decor and furnishings, searching for something. She seemed to suddenly relax, something she hadn’t really completely done in my presence yet. Henry gestured to the table as Martha pulled out a masterpiece of a dish. We sat and my stomach groaned, making everyone chuckle.

“Smells like the lasagna Mama used to make,” Briar said.

“Suppose it would, since it’s her recipe,” Martha said.

Briar’s eyes widened. “How well did you know my mama?” she asked.

“Not as well as I would have liked, but she spent some months here, and she and I cooked every Sunday. She was the daughter I never had, and now you are the granddaughter I never knew I had…”

Martha popped something else into the oven as Briar swallowed. “Why did she leave then? Why did she and Uncle Jake never talk about this place or my daddy? Jake wanted me to come visit him here, but he died before I graduated, so I never made it. I just don’t understand why he never mentioned you. I didn’t know you were alive until Carter told me.”

“Sometimes parents think they are protecting their children. Your father knew a lot of bad people… one day everything was fine, the next, your mom had disappeared, and your father wouldn’t speak of it. We knew Jake went to visit her from time to time, but we never knew about you. I don’t know their reasoning, it was a subject of nondiscussion. All I know right now is I feel robbed of watching you grow up. But I’m so glad you are here, where you belong.”

“How about you tell us what you have been up to in the last twenty something years,” Martha interjected.

“What do you want to know? I’ve lived a boring life in the country, I got my degree, I had an internship and a job as a personal assistant to one of the most influential people on the market. Things happened, and this was the only place I had left to go. I didn’t even know you were alive. I didn’t know Uncle Jake even left me the place, until I had no choice but to contact the lawyer, and see what my options were.

“Who hurt you?” Henry growled out.

Briar’s eyes closed. “It doesn’t matter. I’m safe now, and I am here with all of you," she said, patting his hand.

Martha got up scowling at Henry, who scowled right back. “I’m so glad you’re here now, we can make so many memories. Now let’s get to the lasagna, I bet you’re starving.” Martha left no room to argue her cut off on the topic. Henry obeyed and I gave Briar’s hand a slight squeeze of reassurance. She awarded me with a thankful glance, squeezing back, and leaning her shoulder against my arm for a moment.

As Martha bustled around for plates and silverware, I knew I was starving, but I could already sense Briar putting on the brave face she always did before food was placed in front of her. Except for last night, which I attested to my awesome cooking skills,  she looked at food like it was a battlefield, one she was bound and determined to win. I’d see to it that she did. Martha served us each a healthy serving and Briar stared at the steaming plate.