In Harm's Way by Traci Hunter Abramson

Author:Traci Hunter Abramson
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Covenant Communications, Inc.
Published: 2020-12-10T17:44:47+00:00

Chapter 24

Troy caught the aroma of something baking and rolled over in bed. In his semiconscious state, he imagined himself in San Diego, in the little apartment where he had lived as a boy. The scent of freshly baked bread and pastries coming from the bakery downstairs had offered a daily reminder of the food he hadn’t had.

His eyes still closed, he sniffed the air. Something was baking all right. Something with apples.

Troy took a deep breath and suddenly noted the lack of stench that had always accompanied the smell of baked goods. He wasn’t in San Diego. He was in Maine. He was safe.

The memory of the months and years since his childhood skipped through his mind as he came more fully awake. He wasn’t the kid who had to dumpster dive for his survival anymore, nor was he the teenager who had slept in the park more often than not to avoid the drug-infested hovel he had lived in with his mother and whichever friends could offer her a few bucks for her latest score.

He opened his eyes and scanned the tidy room. His room. An image of Jocelyn surfaced. His life.

Startled that he had joined those two thoughts into one, he let the events of the past few days roll through his mind. She was getting to him. The constant energy humming through her, her innate optimism, her absolute certainty that every problem had a solution.

Unfortunately, she didn’t have a clue what problems she would face if he gave in to his desire to pursue a relationship with her. Who was he kidding? Whether he kissed her again or not, they had a relationship. He didn’t know how to define it, but he had little doubt that her absence would leave a hole unlike anything he had experienced before.

He pushed the comforter off and climbed out of bed. Trusting that the scents coming from the kitchen meant that Jocelyn, the Whitmores, or both had made themselves at home, Troy grabbed clean clothes and headed for the shower. Five minutes later, he walked into the kitchen to a sight he had never before witnessed, except in movies.

Senator Whitmore stood by the kitchen table, holding a stack of plates. Katherine balanced a baking sheet in one hand and closed the oven door with the other. Jocelyn closed the refrigerator and set a carton of juice on the counter. Family. He was pretty sure this was what it looked like.

Jocelyn glanced in his direction. “Ty, I was wondering if you were awake.”

“What’s all this?” Troy asked.

Katherine set the baking tray on top of the stove and picked up a spatula. “I hope you don’t mind my using your kitchen. Baking relaxes me.”

“Are those apple scones?”

“Yes.” Katherine transferred the scones to a large plate.

“I don’t think there’s anyone alive who would mind waking up to the house smelling like this,” Troy said.

“My sentiments exactly.” The senator set four plates on the table.

“I told Katherine I didn’t think you would care.” Jocelyn set the juice down and returned to the cabinet to get glasses.

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