Free Taken: A Kept Novella by Sally Bradley Page B

the window bench.
    Anna took the bear—a newer version of the one Jordan had seen on the stairs—and gave it to Sophie, who was on the verge of tears.
    “Bear!” She grabbed the stuffed animal and squashed it against her chest. “My bear.”
    A tear glistened on her eyelashes, and again Cam realized how worn out she was. She might have woken up from an early evening nap, but it sure looked like this little girl could use even more sleep. “Sophie, I think your bear needs a nap. Think you can get him to go to sleep?”
    She nodded. “Bear sleep now.”
    “You too?”
    Sophie pursed her lips. “Soapy sleep too.”
    Maybe she’d sleep all through the night and wake up to a much better morning. He hugged her, carefully this time, and pressed his lips to her head again. “Jordan and I will come see you later, okay? You go to sleep and get better.”
    “Bear get better,” Sophie said. “Bear and Soapy sleep.”
    He straightened her cap. “Night night, Soapy.”
    She snuggled down beneath her blankets and held the bear’s head beneath her chin. She closed her eyes and…
    Was she asleep already? He studied her as he stood.
    Eyes still closed, Sophie held a finger to her lips. “Be still. Bear sleeping.”
    There was a hint of his silly girl. He grinned at Jordan, then Anna. “Need anything before we go?”
    Anna glanced at Avery and Logan, then at Jordan. “Cameron, I’m sorry—” she started.
    She wanted to stay with Sophie. Of course she did. Before Jordan, it had been easy, staying home with his niece and nephew. Now… “How about we take the kids back to my place?” he asked Jordan. “You okay with a pizza for dinner?”
    She threaded her fingers through his. “Sure.”
    “Is it safe?” Anna asked.
    Right. He’d forgotten too easily. “We’ll take the pizzas back to the hotel, and I’ll spend the night there.” He turned to Jordan. “Can I drop you and the kids off, then run home and get my stuff for tomorrow?”
    “That works.”
    Anna whispered a thank you to her.
    “Avery, Logan, ready to leave?” he called. “Get some dinner?”
    The kids were off the bench immediately.
    Jordan laughed at their reaction.
    And Cam lost himself in her again. In the sweet, giving nature of this gorgeous woman he was falling deeply in love with.
    ****
    Logan and Avery clearly couldn’t be happier to be out of that hospital.
    Jordan had barely unlocked the door of the hotel room before Logan was inside and running for the TV by the beds. Even Avery kicked off her shoes by the door and dashed after her brother.
    Cam returned quickly with his things, ordered a pizza, and joined Jordan on the couch in the sitting area of the room. The closet and bathroom served as a bit of a divider between the living area and the sleeping quarters, giving them some privacy from his niece and nephew. Cam left some space between them, but faced her, his arm draped across the top of the couch.
    When he said nothing, just sat there and smiled at her, Jordan quirked an eyebrow. “What?’
    “I’m enjoying this. Being with you. Even if we’re not completely alone.”
    Something slid and rattled back by the beds. “What are they doing?”
    “I think they’re setting up Life, their latest favorite game. If they ask you to play, say no.”
    “Why?”
    He leaned closer. “Because I don’t want to share you.”
    Her cheeks warmed, and she searched for something to say. “You didn’t tell me you called Sophie ‘Soapy.’”
    “Avery gets credit for that. She was two, I think, when Sophie was born. And then Sophie just started using it for herself. It’s pretty cute, isn’t it?”
    “It’s adorable.”
    “Yeah.” He sobered. “She wasn’t doing very well tonight.”
    “She’s usually better?”
    “Lots. I’m hoping she’s just tired and not…” He ran a hand through his hair. There was a place he wouldn’t let himself go. “Her immune system is basically shot. Plus, because of the Down’s, she has a hard