Lorestone: The Strength Within by Melissa Kay Clarke

Author:Melissa Kay Clarke [Clarke, Melissa Kay]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: MKC
Published: 2014-07-09T05:00:00+00:00

Chapter 21

Warm, gentle sunlight bathed Rachel's face as she sat in the solarium where she had been since leaving her room hours earlier. She heard the sounds of breakfast being served down the hall, but she wasn't hungry. With eyes closed, she tried to relax and concentrate on the steady thump of her baby's heartbeat as it slumbered within. It calmed her in times when nothing else seemed to be able and had become one of the reasons she could continue while held captive.

"Are you asleep?"

She opened her eyes and glanced over at Carson. "No, I'm not asleep. Just sitting here thinking."

Carson slid into one of the chairs facing Rachel and pulled her feet up into the seat. Wrapping her arms around her knees, she rested her chin on them and drew in a deep breath. "How are you doing? I mean really, how are you? I remember how I felt after Micah... You don't feel like you're going ever to be right again. I can't explain it."

"It's like a piece of you is left behind. They took something valuable that you can't even put words to, and destroyed it."

Both women looked up as Zandria entered the room, pulling a shawl tighter around her shoulders. Rachel smiled at her and moved over, patting the seat next to her. "Come, cop a squat. This is the kidnap victim section. Invitation only."

The women chuckled softly as Zan settled into the seat. "Missed you at breakfast this morning," she said. "I was worried about you."

Carson took a deep breath and placed a hand on Rachel's arm. "We both were. Rach, I just wanted to apologize to you. I was wrong to blame you for all of this. It's not your fault. You've done all you possibly could. Thank you, for keeping him safe and watching over him. Thank you for letting us know he was alive and okay."

Rachel shook her head. "You were right though. I left him there. What kind of monster abandons a child?"

"You didn't abandon him. You loved him and protected him. You had no choice, honey. You had to leave to get help." Zandria reached out and smoothed Rachel's hair back from her face. "You did the right thing. There was no way you could have ever gotten back here with him. You both would have been captured."

"Maybe," she muttered.

"Rach, Chase reminded me of why we chose you and Gabe to be his godparents in the first place. It wasn't because you're my best friend. It's not because I've spent as much time with you as I have my own family, but it is because out of every person I know, I have absolute faith in you and your commitment to keeping him safe. You did what you had to do. I'm not angry with you, Rachel. I'm angry... no, make that damned pissed at that she-bitch, Maggie. She's the one that did this. Not you, not me, not anyone else. It was all her."

Rachel squeezed herself. "I know, but .

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