Chapter 7: You Are Safe Here

Chapter 7: You Are Safe Here

Tentatively, Jenny descended the stairs and followed her nose to the kitchen. After her quick shower, she'd towel-dried her newly shorn locks as much as possible. She'd pulled on the grey sweatpants and cinched the waist as tightly as she could, tying off the drawstring in a huge bow to keep it from dragging the floor. Elastic cuffs rested at her ankles while the long legs spilled over, creating grey fleece harem-style pants.

The red plaid flannel shirt had swallowed her whole, with the tail hanging nearly to her knees. She'd ended up unbuttoning the bottom few buttons and tying the shirttails in a square knot around her waist, rolling the sleeves over and over until her hands were free.

She thought her favorite part of the ensemble, though, were the grey wool socks. For the first time all day, she felt warm.

The dog had been waiting for her outside the bathroom door, and he padded down the stairs behind her. As she entered the kitchen, Cole's back was to her as he bent down, peering into the oven. For the first time, she took in his appearance. Cole was a large man, as evidenced by the clothes he'd loaned her. Jenny figured he had to be over six feet tall, maybe as tall as six and a half feet, judging by the way he towered over her five and a quarter foot frame. His shoulders were broad and muscular. She supposed work on the ranch kept him in shape.

His short dark hair had a ridge where his hat usually sat, and she smiled to herself, wondering if he realized he had 'hat hair'. When he turned around and saw her, his eyes deep brown widened, and his hand flew to his broad chest.

"Holy shit! I didn't hear you come in."

Jenny couldn't stop her smile, though she tempered it, reaching to touch her swollen lip.

"Are you hungry?"

She nodded.

"It would have been done already, but I decided to make some cornbread, so it'll be another few minutes." He looked her up and down, grinning. "My clothes are definitely way too big, but at least you're warm now, right?"

Jenny nodded again, running her hands up and down her sleeves.

Cole frowned slightly. "Something's different," he said thoughtfully. "Did you cut your hair?"

Reaching to grasp a section of hair, she nodded.

"It looks pretty," he said. "Real pretty."

Jenny felt her face redden. She hadn't thought about whether Cole would notice. Cutting her hair and the dress had just been an impulse. But the idea that he thought it was pretty pleased her.

Cole stepped closer to her, frowning again. "Your eye and lip worry me. I know you don't want to go to the doctor, and I figure that's because you're afraid that guy will find you. Will you at least let me take a closer look?"

Jenny swallowed hard. The day had been surreal. She'd started off in her tiny room, her only semblance of safety. She'd been summoned, then bundled into the back of one of Victor's vehicles, assaulted, beaten, threatened, and now here she was, standing in the kitchen of a complete stranger, dressed in his clothes. If she'd learned anything over the last two years, it was to trust no one.

She gazed at Cole, a kind smile playing on his lips, warmth and tenderness radiating from his eyes. He made no move to come any closer, waiting for her to decide. God, she wanted to trust him.

Slowly, she nodded, and she watched as his smile broadened. But still, he didn't move. She took a step toward him, and then another, her socks sliding across the pine plank floor. She stopped about a foot away and tilted her face up to him.

She watched him wince, and she felt embarrassed, her face flushing pink. Tentatively, he reached toward her, brushing back her hair to look at her battered eye.

"You've got nothing to be ashamed of," he murmured, gently touching the side of her face. "You know this isn't your fault."

At his words, a huge lump formed in her throat and her eyes burned with threatened tears. He touched her chin, brushing a thumb lightly over her lips. "How about your teeth?" Carefully, she bared her teeth, and he nodded. "Good. Looks like it's just a busted lip."

He moved back half a step and gently ran his hand down her arm. "Know this," he fixed her with a pointed look, his dark eyes flashing. "You are safe here. Nobody will lay a hand on you. I guarantee it."

She swallowed, trying to dislodge the lump, swiping at a tear on her cheek.