Her CEO Stalker and Her Second Chance Mate Chapter 35

Martha

I watched my granddaughter stare at the plate like she was going to battle. When she inhaled her armor faltered. I knew the feeling well. I’d been in her shoes once long ago, that’s why Carter brought her to me, regardless if she was who she claimed to be or not. I’m sure he’d have been happy keeping her to himself for a while, if this wasn’t what she was dealing with. The covered bruises were just another layer to overcome to one’s soul being bound to another against her will. She’d still see them long after they faded away. Not to mention, she didn’t even know what she was. I could see a glimpse of it lurking in her eyes. A beast stirred awake by some traumatic event. Her body soured to every basic need. It was like your soul bled out one way, the bond she had severed stopping the lifeforce from returning to her. Her lifeforce would fuel his rage, while hers would dwindle to an ember. 

Carter scooted closer to her to reach across and grab a slice of garlic bread. He smiled at her reassuringly and she tentatively returned it. Their arms brushed together as he settled back down. She sighed with a faint release as she picked up her fork. Carter’s arm still barely touched hers, but she championed a bite, her eyes closing. My gaze shifted to Carter. I just nodded faintly. This young man had already figured her out, without even knowing for sure. His presence and attention alone could be the thread that kept this beautiful young woman, who had finally found her way home among us, tethered to the living.

Carter hadn’t asked about that. He simply wanted validation that she was who she thought she was. The full truth would be another blow to add to the one too many she already had so recently. It was best to save that bit of information until she was strong enough to weather that realization. Knowing the deep pain and anguish as if I was looking into a mirror of my former self. My granddaughter’s situation was a tragedy. Sometimes the universe matched us so terribly wrong. It appeared that in Briar’s case, this time the universe had made a very grave error. Those errors had a way of righting themselves, if you were strong enough to weather through it. The universe always sent a gift in hindsight of its mistake, I just hoped Briar saw the one right under her nose, before it was too late.

Carter reached over and wiped a bit of sauce from her face with his thumb when she looked at him shocked, he just shrugged, and sucked it off his finger.

“Um, thanks,” she said, eyeing him like he was a lunatic. Carter just grinned at her and continued eating.

“Tastes just like Mama’s” she said, saluting me with her fork and I chuckled.

“Your mama was a torrent in the kitchen, she had this house turned upside down within a few days of arriving.” I pointed at a crock on the counter. “She had me making sourdough, and canning anything you can imagine. I think I still have the fire cider in the cabinet from that year.” 

“Fire cider, the stuff that cleans the gunk out and keeps it that way,” Briar mimicked her mothers old saying. 

“You’re definitely her daughter,” I said, pointing my fork at her.

“The one and only,” she countered, with a smirk.

Good she still had a sense of humor, she would need it. “So you’ve been staying at Jake’s place? There’s got to be some work to be done, the last few years he didn’t take very good care of it.”

“A bit, nothing I can’t handle, but Carter is letting me stay in his spare room until the water and electricity get turned on,” she supplied.

Carter and my eyes met. He wasn’t stupid then. Just for measure, maybe I should ruffle his feathers.

“You can always stay with us if you like, we’re just a couple of boring old timers, but you’re welcome to.”

Carter’s glare in my direction was priceless. I grinned at him.

“I couldn’t impose on you, the only reason I agreed to stay at Carter’s was that it’s right up the road, and I like keeping Rosie and Tucker company.”

“That cat?” Henry sputtered. “He doesn’t like anyone. I heard he tried to take off Miranda’s face when y’all tried dating.”

Carter chuckled. “Miranda didn’t pass the test. If my baby boy doesn’t like you, neither do I,” he said simply. “Anyways, Briar is Tucker approved, she has nothing to worry about. In fact, he and Rosie left me to sleep alone last night. I’m out, Briar is in, and I bet once she goes back to her place they will find a way to get out to go visit her.” Briar laughed at that while Henry looked at her like she was crazy.