I Saved Him, I Saved Her (Book 2 of Saving Series)

Chapter 13- Katie

I flicked through my book as I waited for Daniel to come back. I was worried about him and was worried that my father had killed him. I had no idea when he would be back and hoped that he would be alive.

"Nervous?" someone asked from behind me, and I jumped and turned in that direction only to relax when I saw that it was Aunt Jess. Aunt Jess smiled, her eyes holding this tired and worried look. "Don't worry," she soothed. "Daniel will be alright."

I looked down and shrugged my shoulder. I wanted to talk about what Daniel had said about me, but I didn't know if I wanted to put my feelings into words. I took a deep breath and looked out the window, hoping that I would see Daniel walking towards the house.

"You want to talk to me about something," Aunt Jess said as if she could read my mind. "What is it?" She sat down in the other seat in front of me and looked at me. Her whole body was relaxed, and it helped me relax.

I hesitated and licked my lips, getting the courage that I needed to tell her. 'He called me his girlfriend,' I said. I looked up at her, wanting to gauge her reaction. I knew that I might not be able to see much in it because she was good at keeping her thoughts in check, but I wanted to know if there was something.

Aunt Jess raised an eyebrow. She didn't say a word, but her eyes told me to continue.

'I-I don't know how I feel about.' I was blushing. I really wanted to be his girlfriend for some reason, but I didn't understand why. I could tell that they would be able to protect themselves from whatever my "father" would throw their way, but I was scared.

"Oh?" she asked. A small smile flickered on her lips as she raised her eyebrow higher. "Do you like him?"

I hesitated but nodded. I knew that she would know if I was lying, so I knew it was better for me to tell the truth. 'I'm... broken, though. He is just too perfect for me. He shouldn't want me.' I looked at my shaking hands and took a deep, shuddering breath.

"Look at me," she said softly. Her gaze was intense on me, and my heart started to pound. "Katie," she warned, and I shook my head because I did not want to look at her. She grabbed my hands and squeezed it, her hands warm and bringing me comfort. "Please?"

I looked up and stared into her brilliant eyes. I felt calmer looking into her eyes, and I couldn't help but wonder why.

Aunt Jess smiled a small tired smile. "It doesn't matter if you are broken. What is broken can always be fixed, and I know that Daniel has the patience and the love to fix you. In a way, Daniel is broken and lost as well. Maybe you both can save each other from the nightmares that haunt you."

I nodded my head and took my hands from hers. 'I think I love him,' I signed. 'I am scared that he will leave me if he knows.'

Aunt Jess smiled, relief flickering through those eyes of hers. She stood as the door opened and Daniel appeared only in shorts. She glanced at him before looking at me and smile. "I don't think that he will," she said as she made her way to her son. She patted her son's arm before going somewhere, leaving me alone with the boy with golden-brown eyes.

***

"Are you ok?" Daniel asked, walking over to me. His steps were hesitant as if he was scared that I would run away from him.

My throat clogged up nerves, and I stood still as I watched him stalk towards me as if I was some wounded prey.

Daniel stopped in front of me, and I looked at him. He smelt of sweat and the woods, and I couldn't help but be comforted by the scents that I knew and loved. "Katie?" he asked, his eyes searching me as if he could see my soul.

I offered him a small smile and nodded my head. 'I am,' I said.

He cleared his throat and moved his hand across the back of his neck. His muscles bulged underneath his skin, and I couldn't help but be proud that this strong man was hopefully head over heels for someone like me.

Daniel cleared his throat again, and I looked at him and noticed a small smirk on his face that caused my face to grow red. His face grew serious as he stared at me, and I couldn't help but wonder what was going on in that mind of his. "Look..." he said, and I nodded for him to continue.

A blush appeared on his cheeks, and I couldn't help but mentally awe. "I am sorry for calling you m-"

I shook my head, and he stopped talking. 'It is fine,' I signed, and he closed his mouth and raised an eyebrow, waiting for me to continue. 'I think I love you. I am happy to be called your girlfriend.'