22. Chapter Twenty-Two

Rip

It's silent in this room, which now seems bigger without the three hulking members of her family crowding it. I crouch to be on Rose's level, not wanting to overpower her with my size. She's had enough of that from the men in her life.

I wrap my arms around her, holding her tight as emotion spills out of her. Her body shudders with a mix of sensations. I imagine there's fear, sadness, and anger for the years she spent living in an oppressive environment.

"Oh, Rose," I whisper into her hair as I run my hands down her back, "you are so strong, so brave."

It's taken all of Rose's courage to stand up to the men who have been controlling her life since she was a child. Years of fear and subjugation gave way to freedom and independence right before my eyes. I feel honored to have witnessed it.

I never thought it possible to feel so alive after spending a century in slumber. But meeting Rose, seeing her fight for her freedom, her right to be herself, has not only given me a renewed sense of purpose, but a newfound respect for the woman at my side.

I knew she was smart, beautiful, and talented. She captured not just my likeness, but my essence in only a few hours as she painted my portrait. Now that I know more of who she is, I realize she's stronger than I would have thought possible.

I pull back and hold her face in my hands, wiping away her tears with my thumbs.

"You stood up to them," I praise. "Not just your father, which must have been agonizing, but two of your brothers. You fought them with only your guts and your words."

"And a restraining order."

"Which was useless without a call to the sheriff. It was you, Rose. You're stronger than you know."

She dashes tears from her cheeks and straightens her shoulders.

"That's my Rose. The strongest woman I've ever met." It's true. This slight female at my side dug deep and found courage she didn't even know she possessed.

"The worst is over, Rose. You have the rest of your life ahead of you now and you're at the helm."

I'd like to tell her I want to be at her side, to be her helpmate now and forever, but it would be selfish. She needs to feel her own victory, to know she doesn't need anyone to fight her battles from here forward.

Rose's eyes are so bright, so alive, it's hard to believe she's spent so much of her life living in fear.

She nods, her lips quivering. "Thank you, Rip. You have no idea what it means to have your support."

"I'm always here for you, Rose. Always."

She leans into me and I wrap my arms around her again, feeling her warmth and the way her body fits perfectly with mine. It's an overwhelming feeling, one I can't quite describe, but it's different from anything I've ever felt before.

"Hot cocoa?" I ask. "Baileys? A backrub? Want to sit on the porch swing in the moonlight and let your nerves settle?"

"Yes." She laughs. "To all three. Hot cocoa with Baileys while sitting on the porch. And later…" she pauses until she has my full attention, "a backrub? In bed? With my clothes off?"

"That's my Rose." I chuckle as I cross the distance to the kitchen to heat water for the cocoa in one of man's greatest inventions—the microwave.

Soon, we're cuddled on the porch swing. She's got a blanket wrapped around her to protect her from the cold night air and in her hands is a mug of cocoa which is heavily laced with Baileys.

It seems the most natural thing in the world to have my arm around her shoulders as we swing and look at the stars.

"Have you sat out here before?" I ask, although I think I know the answer.

"No. I was always terrified their car would pull up the gravel drive."

"Does it feel over now, babe? Like you've turned a corner? Like you're safe."

She sips her cocoa and tips her head as she considers her answer. I like that about her, that she doesn't rush to tell me what I want to hear.

"You know what, Rip? I do feel safe." She gazes at me, her emerald eyes piercing straight to my soul, and says, "And you know what else? It had nothing to do with the Restraining Order. Or even you, though it helped immeasurably that you were here."

I nod, knowing where she's going with this.

"It was me. I did that on my own. If I could do that, I can do anything."