Because of Them

Chapter 8

It was a nice sunny day and the four of them were in the backyard. Wilder and Christian were sitting at the outdoor table on the patio, while Winnie and Lex walked arm in arm around the massive space.

She did fine walking on her own. She was completely healed physically, but she enjoyed the company

She eyed the overgrown flower beds that littered the perimeter of the yard.

"Can I clean those out?" she asked Lex.

Lex glanced at Christian who turned to give them his full attention.

"Do you want to?" he asked.

She nodded, "Maybe I could plant in them?"

Christian smiled. "Yeah? You think that's something you'd like doing?"

She gave another eager nod.

"Okay. There's a few tools in the shed over there. Just be careful and make sure Lex goes first."

They found a small basket with a trowel, weeder and shears.

"Here you go, Win," Lex said, handing them to her. He already knew she loved playing in the mud and dirt. She'd be barefoot most of the time if Wilder and Christian didn't keep on her.

She was adorable though. Sweet and soft spoken. More polite than any of them combined. They had loved getting to know her and getting her to open up the last week together.

Lex joined Wilder and Christian at the table, trying to help with the workload, but unable to look away from Winnie. She was so cute.

"I don't know if she's actually doing anything or just digging," Wilder whispered.

"Hush. It's adorable."

Wilder watched for a moment, before deciding to get a closer look.

"Hi, princess," he greeted, sitting on the ground next to her. "What are you doing?"

"I think I'm making a mess," she said with a bit of a laugh. "Look." She pointed to a large pile of weeds she had gotten out.

"That's great. It looks way better," he told her. Lex was right. She was absolutely adorable.

She mumbled something like oh my gosh, before holding up a worm. "Look how cute."

He muffled his chuckle with his hand.

"Very cute. Why don't you go show Lex? I'm sure he'd love to see it."

She nodded, standing up and making her way over.

"Look, Lex," she said, holding out the worm in front of his face. It wiggled in her palm, dropping onto the paper he was concentrating on.

He screeched, jumping up so fast that his chair fell back with a clang.

"Oops," Winnie said, scooping it back up. "Wilder said you'd want to see it. I didn't know you were scared."

Christian laughed, covering it with a cough when Lex gave him an annoyed look.

"I'm not scared," he huffed, straightening himself and picking his chair up. "I was only startled."

"Oh," Winnie said. "I'm sorry."

She glanced up at Wilder, seeing his amusement in his characteristically blank features.

"That wasn't very nice," she scolded him. "You knew he was scared. You should apologize."

"I'm not scared," Lex said once again.

"You're not fooling anyone, bud," Christian said, giving his hand a gentle pat.

Wilder rolled his eyes. He'd do anything Winnie asked though.

"I'm sorry," he said to Lex.

Winnie went to return the worm and go back to digging while Wilder sat back down.

"You're such an ass," Lex muttered, punching him in the arm.

Christian gave another short laugh. Worms. That was good to know for another time.

---

"I want to track down the fucker that hurt her," Wilder growled. "I'm tired of waiting. It's been almost three weeks."

"Keep your voice down," Christian said softly. "I get it, I do. But, I want to build her trust. I don't want her to be constantly anxious on the verge of a panic attack at any moment, like she was when she got here. I want her to tell us on her own terms."

"Things have been really good, Wild," Lex added.

"I know they have, but I refuse to forget the state that she arrived in. She was running from someone. What if that someone decides to show up?"

Christian gave a dark laugh, one that made Lex and Wilder uneasy. "I hope they do."

Wilder stepped closer, tightening the circle they had made in the office.

"What if there are others in the same situation as Winnie?" Wilder finished, crossing his arms.

Lex didn't have anything say to that. Christian still looked unsure. Wilder cared about him, a lot. He knew he was aggressive, it was only in his nature. They were a team though, and he was learning how to be more sympathetic.

"I also get what you are saying," Wilder told Christian softly. "We can ask first, gage her reaction and go forward. I'd never want to hurt her in any way, but the longer she avoids what happened, the worse it's going to be."