Page 20 of Butch

We’re going to get food. You are hungry, and the kitchen is out there.

“But you’ve been bringing my food in here. What about you just go and get it?” she suggested.

Raelynn knew that all the people were out there, and she didn’t want to see them. What if they all wanted to talk to her and get to know her? She wasn’t mentally up for that, and she physically wouldn’t be able to hear them, either.

We can’t keep you in this room the whole time. You need to get out, and we need to let the room air out and clean it. While we eat, some people will clean the room.

“Why can’t I stay in their room while they clean it?” she asked. “I promise I won’t get in their way. I’ll move whenever they need to get to a section, and I won’t sit on the bed. Wait, that means that I have to interact with them if they’re in there. Maybe you can put me in another room where I won’t have to talk to anybody.”

Daddy and Rae locked eyes, and he gave her a disapproving look.

We are not hiding from people. Everyone here knows that you are having trouble hearing. They know that you’re exhausted and scared, and not to make any quick movements. They know that you and I are a thing, and no guy is going to try to make a move on you. They see you as family, almost like a little sister who had been lost for years. Some of them might want to spoil you as time goes on and love on you as well. But either way, they know that right now, you don’t need a lot of people bothering you, so they aren’t going to do that. They might smile in your direction or wave, so you don’t have to worry.

It didn’t make her worry any less than before. If anything, it made her more anxious that they knew so much about her and were being considerate. It had been a very long time since people were considerate of how she was feeling or what she wanted.

“I’m scared,” she finally admitted.

Scared of what?

Rae rubbed her eyes harshly, trying to stop herself from crying for the umpteenth time. “Scared that I’m going to offend somebody. Scared that I’m going to get hurt if somebody doesn’t like one of my answers or the way that I look at them. I’m scared that they’re not going to like me, and you’re going to have to leave them, your family. I’m scared that I’m going to make a bad impression and they’ll take it out on you instead. I’m scared of so much.”

This was when she wished she could hear so Daddy could hold her tightly as he whispered sweet nothings into her ears, but she couldn’t. Not now, at least.

I’m going to be right there with you. Nothing bad is going to happen to you. You’re not going to offend somebody or hurt their feelings, and they’re not going to take it out on you or me. They want to see you flourish and excel in whatever you want to do. So why don’t you hold on extra tight to me while we go out, and I won’t leave you for a second? How does that sound?

“I don’t know,” she mumbled.

Do you trust me?

She nodded.

Then trust that I’m going to keep you safe. Daddy would never allow something bad to happen to you. You are my life.

CHAPTER 9

BUTCH

Raelynn was gripping onto Butch’s shirt tightly. He didn’t like how tightly she was holding, but he knew it was going to take some time for her to get used to being around people who cared for her. Her head was tucked into his neck, so she didn’t have to look at anybody.

Butch walked into the kitchen, running his hands up and down her back to try and calm her just a little bit. Everyone looked at them as he stood in the middle of the kitchen.

“How’s she doing?” Reaper asked.

Butch noticed how Reaper had taken a special interest in her, a protective one.

“She’s mine,” Butch said before he could stop himself.

Reaper held his hands up. “I know. I wasn’t trying to take her away from you. I just wanted to know if she was holding up okay. I see her as a little sister. You know I used to have one.”

Butch closed his eyes and took a deep breath. “Shit. I’m sorry, man. I wasn’t thinking straight.”

Reaper chuckled. “You’ve been on edge since finding her and not knowing who took her. We all understand, and we aren’t going to get mad at you for claiming her as yours.”

Butch walked over to the fridge and opened it, looking at what he could make Rae while she was still in his arms. He knew she wouldn’t be sitting down when there were other people in the room, and he was okay with that. Butch didn’t exactly want to let go of her, either.

He had just found her after eight long years, and he wasn’t about to let her out of his sight for a second.

“Sit down, I’ll make something for you guys,” Levi said as he shooed Butch away. “Sit down over there.”