LITTLE BIT STRONGER | A COUNTRY ROMANCE

Chapter Twenty-Three

It was getting dark when Kate opened the door with a smile. Josh held up a bouquet of flowers.

"Thank you for inviting me, Kate."

The ends of his hair were still damp from his shower and he smelled divine.

"I-I'm so glad you came." She blinked against tears and he was instantly inside, door closed and locked, holding her against his chest. "I'm sorry."

"Something happened. Tell me what happened."

She nodded against his chest and lifted her face. "Caleb is playing with Kyle in his room so we can talk."

Josh tilted his head. "Your brother didn't want to leave you and Caleb alone." He paused to think. "How long has he been here?"

"Since last night."

Taking a deep breath, Kate put her hand in his and led him to the barstool that faced her kitchen. She'd feel better if she could move around while they talked.

When the flowers were in a vase, she asked, "Can I heat you up a plate of lasagna? I made it a couple of days ago but it's even better now. I think you'll like it."

"I love lasagna. Can I help?"

"No, I-I need to stay busy." She got to work preheating the oven and taking ingredients for salad out of the fridge. "Josh, I won't blame you if this is too much. I never want to bring trouble to your door."

He started to reply but Kate held up her hand. "I have my family. You wouldn't be leaving me to fend for myself. You're the kind of man who would lose sleep over that."

"Kate, what happened?"

She filled him in on her last several interactions with Brian and now Felicia. She didn't look at him as she made a salad and transferred big pieces of the pasta dish to a glass pan.

"I need to get people involved legally now. I'll have to change the terms of our custody agreement or-or request supervised visits. Kyle will do the pickups and drop offs - but he suggested a restraining order against both of them."

Josh walked around the island and held her shoulders. "You've been carrying this around for a while. Why didn't you tell me how bad things were getting?"

"Things are so new with us...I've moved slower with you than anyone in my life. Something like this is a lot to put on you. I don't want to seem like some damsel in distress. I hate the thought of that."

"You could never be a damsel in distress, Kate. You're the strongest woman I know." He pulled her into a hard hug. "What can I do?"

"Be aware of your surroundings. Don't ignore it if you feel like something's off."

He put his fingers under her chin and lifted her gaze to his. "Wait. You're worried about me?"

"I-I've seen things like this - seen the horrible aftermath in the hospital. Rage makes people irrational and...he might direct that at you. Something is wrong. I don't know exactly how to fix it without traumatizing Caleb. I know I'd never forgive myself if you were hurt because of me."

His big hand cupped the back of her head. "Kate..."

Then he kissed her. It was comforting, a connection, a gentle promise, and she felt it to the deepest part of herself.

When he lifted his lips from hers, he gathered her into a hug that was unlike anything she'd ever experienced.

He wrapped his arms around her in a way only he could have. He offered her his strength and she took it gratefully.