Chapter Twelve 980

Chapter Twelve

Eitan

I watch Brodie pass the time by reading magazines and playing card games. She seems content.

I want to do something special for her again. Something extra special.

She's been so well-behaved, and she seems genuinely happy here.

I take out the steaks I bought on my last trip to town, and I take out some vegetables from the storage racks. I get everything ready, take out the grill in front, and set up a table nearby.

Then I get a blanket and lay it out nearby before I go into her room. "It's a nice day outside. Why don't we grill some steaks?"

"That would be nice," she says, looking up.

I unlock the chain from the bed and lead her out to the front, where I lock it around one of the foundation posts. She sits down on the blanket with her deck of cards and starts to play solitaire.

I get the radio from inside and turn it on, playing some old rock 'n roll music while I fire up the grill. I spice the steaks, and I set them aside, ready for once the grill has heated up.

I go to Brodie and stand near her. "Isn't this nice?"

"It's peaceful," she says, looking up. "But it's not nice being chained up all the time."

"I know you don't like it, Brodie, but I'm doing it for your safety. You can't just go wandering into the forest alone."

"Don't you trust me?" she asks, looking up at me. Is that hurt I see in her eyes?

I go back to the grill to check the temperature. "It's not that I don't trust you."

"You don't trust me," she says coldly. "I know you don't, or you wouldn't feel the need to chain me up all the time."

"Brodie...come on. We have been getting on so well the last few days..."

"And yet you still don't trust me." She tosses down her cards and crosses her arms like a child.

"Let's not fight. Come on, I got two great steaks here. I'm going to make us a salad, and we can eat outside in the sunlight. "

She picks up her cards again. "I don't want to fight, but I can't pretend you don't trust me."

It's like a knife stab to the heart. I throw the steaks on and keep a careful eye on them. "You still like yours medium rare like mine?"

"Yeah, medium rare is fine."

There's a strange sound, and we both look up. I reach for the radio and turn it off.

"Is there someone out there?" Brodie asks quietly. I'm surprised she hasn't started yelling her head off to attract attention.

I shake my head. "Doesn't look like it. Maybe we should go back inside just in case."

There is a snap of a branch, and we both look to the left, where a giant deer is standing. I chuckle. "It's just a deer."

"Damn," Brodie says, her hand on her chest. "My heart."

I look at her for a moment, watching her, before I realize I'm going to burn the steaks. I take them off the fire, and I set them aside to rest while I chop up the vegetables for the salad. Once it's tossed, I go in to get a store-bought salad dressing and two plates.

I dish up the food and cut up Brodie's steak into little pieces for her. Maybe I don't trust her? I mean, I won't give her a knife, will I?

I take her food to her and sit down on the blanket opposite her, and we eat in peace. The deer flits away after a moment, and I smile at Brodie.

"You know, maybe I'll give you something extra special tonight."

"Another hot bath?" she asks, raising her eyebrows. "Cause the last one was fantastic. Do we have more of those bath oils?"

"I got a whole bunch," I say. "And yes, a hot bath can be added to the special surprise tonight."

"I look forward to it then."

Once we're done eating, we both lie down on the blanket and watch the clouds pass. I point out some odd-shaped ones, and she rests her head against mine. When it starts to get cold, I take her back inside and run her a hot bath.

I pour in the oils and the bath salts, and I unchain her leg. "Come on." I undress first, and then I take her skirt off. I then take her hand and climb into the hot bath with her. She sits between my legs and leans back against me, stroking my leg.

I could almost fall asleep here. She does, for a moment. She dozes softly against me.

When the water starts to turn cold, I nudge her to get out, and once we're both out, I dry her off gently with a towel before I fix her skirt back on her. While she stands there, I dry myself off and only put my boxers back on.

I leave the chain on the floor and take her hand, leading her to the bed.

"Lie down," I murmur.

She lies down, and I climb onto the bed behind her. I put my arm over her and stroke her side softly. "No more chains," I say quietly. "I won't tie you up anymore."

"Really?" she asks quietly. "Do you really mean it?"

"You're free to move about as much as you like," I say. "But please don't leave the motel. That is for your own safety. The forest is dangerous. There are bears in these woods, and I've set traps to snare game for food. I don't want you to get caught in a trap."

"Okay," she says softly. "I won't move around needlessly." She turns in my arms and rests her head against my chest. I lie back so she can be more comfortable before I close my eyes, one arm around her. I slowly doze off.