Free From the Heart: Romance, Mystery and Suspense a collection for everyone by Lorhainne Eckhart

her cheek, then pulled back as if caught doing something he shouldn’t. Brad jumped out of his chair so fast Emily wondered if his chair would tip. But he gave it a shove, balling his hands into a fist. Then he grabbed his coat off the chair and faced her. “I meant what I said, Em. I’m a man of my word.”
    A difficult man walked out the door. One who was hiding his feelings, his thoughts. A man she’d need to be careful with. Keep both eyes open; this man had the ability to cloud her good judgment. Except a thought surfaced in that moment , as she listened to the gravel crunch beneath his feet: what it would feel like to be loved and protected by a man like Brad?

Chapter Twelve
    Emily was positive Brad had convinced himself nothing was wrong with Trevor. After the glimpse she’d given Brad into some of the research she’d done, research similar to Trevor’s symptoms, Brad should have clued in. How much clearer did she need to be, when it was obvious there was something wrong with the child? He should recognize the similarities, shouldn’t he?
    From what she read of Trevor’s symptoms, routine was essential. It didn’t take a rocket scientist to figure out Trevor’s day needed to be structured. He ignored Katy, not deliberately; he’d slip away into his own world to do the oddest things. Restack utensils, boxes and cans in the cupboard over and over. He’d play with the DVD player, shoving a movie in and out over and over. She knew Brad saw that much. She’d seen the odd look come over him when he thought she wasn’t watching.
    Emily began to notice patterns. One full-blown meltdown came about after he’d consumed a big bowl of ice cream; on the floor, kicking, screaming and flailing his arms all because he couldn’t wear his blue pants because they were in the dirty clothes. She researched diet and read the suggestions. Many suggested they can’t digest gluten and dairy, and both have a big impact on behaviors.
    It was time to talk to Brad. She hadn’t pushed. But how do you tell a parent, who doesn’t see it? He’d be angry, but it would surely be worse if she said nothing.
    Emily waited until she’d bathed and put the kids to bed. She breathed deep as her chest suddenly felt as if a hundred-pound weight pressed against it. She paused in the shadows and listened. The soft glow from Trevor’s nightlight shone on the wall at the top of the stairs. Emily could see Brad on the front porch, leaning against the solid white post. He was always outside. From the little she knew of him he wasn’t happy unless he was outside. Now as the sun dipped low in the sky, the bright orange and pink glow was the perfect vision before bed. The door squeaked when she pushed it open. Emily pulled the brown sweater she grabbed from the hook around her shoulders. It was cool this time of night.
    “Do you have time to talk to me?”
    He smiled warmly. “I always have time for you , Emily.”
    “Can we sit down?” She fisted her hands in her sweater ; how could she be sweating, it wasn’t warm enough.
    “Sure.”
    Emily chose the second rattan chair with the bright blue flowers. She didn’t need to look up to know when he sat next to her in the matching chair or that she had his full attention.
    “You’re not okay. Something happened?”
    Truth or dare. Stop stalling.
    “I don’t know how to say this, so I’m just going to say it.”
    The man could change in an instant. All the warmth and support fled, replaced with something dark and ready to snap. The momentary change made her afraid.
    “So you’ve decided to leave ,” he said. “I should have known better. Why?”
    Her mouth gaped. The man jumped to conclusions faster than changing the station on TV. “I’m not leaving, where would you get that idea?”
    He threw his hands up, squinting. “Then what is it? Your ex again?”
    “No, it’s nothing like that. Brad, you know how much time I’ve been spending with Trevor?”
    He relaxed a bit and leaned