Bradford's Orders Book Two The Legacy Series

Chapter 19

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Chapter 19

Bradford

I can still feel the way her hand lingered at the edge of the door.

Last night, after we got back from the hospital, Holly didn't say much. Just stood there in the hallway in one of my old t-shirts, arms crossed like armor, her eyes full of questions she hadn't found the words for yet.

God, she looked so beautiful it hurt. No makeup. Hair messy from the rain. Barefoot. And all I could think about was how badly I wanted to touch her—not just in the way that curls fists in sheets and ends in gasps, but in the way that steadies hands and mends broken places.

We haven't crossed that line yet. Not physically. Not even close. And maybe that's what kills me the most.

Because everything in me wants her.

Not just her body—though I've memorized the way her hips move when she's pacing, the soft curve of her spine when she leans over the sink—but her heart. Her thoughts. The part of her that she guards like a soldier waiting for war. The part no man has earned.

And if I'm honest, there were moments I almost said screw it and kissed her anyway. Pulled her into my chest and begged her to stop pushing me away.

But she needed space.

So I stepped closer, rested a hand on her cheek, and told her the only thing I knew for sure.

"No matter what happens tomorrow, I'm not walking away from you. I swear it. I'm going to make this right. You're not alone in this, Holly. Not anymore."

She didn't answer. Just nodded slowly, her chin barely tilting. But when I whispered "Goodnight, Holls," she didn't walk away. She stood there until the door closed between us like she was memorizing the sound of my voice in case it was the last time she believed me.

I keep replaying that moment, over and over again as I sit here now. Her scent. Her silence. Her nearness.

Because today is the day. The adoption interview is here. And I'm not sure if my promise was enough.

I came clean with Holly last night. Why I want to adopt Tempy. How I want to protect her and her daughter from Zane and everything he stands for. And that no matter what, I do love Holly and Tempy—even if I didn't go about everything the best way.

She's frustrated. She's entitled to that. And she's still learning to trust me. I can't blame her for that hesitation either. Zane really screwed her over and has used her for the last time.

But aren't I using her to set Zane up for a fall?

Maybe I'm no better than he is. But I'm going to try to do better.

My family has come to Point Conception, my great-grandmother's family home and now my home—Holly and Tempy's home—to show their support.

Dad and Mom are going to sit in on the interview with me. Grandma and Grandpa are going to keep Holly company in the kitchen while we do this. We figure this keeps her close by but out of sight.

Lowe and Easton were already here working on some plans for the team. We have a charity event coming up and we all have to make an appearance. One I'm already dreading. They've agreed to chime in with anything that will help with my case.

When the doorbell rings and Mom answers, it's time to face the music.
The woman from the state sits at the edge of the sofa, clipboard in her lap, glasses perched on the end of her nose. Her voice is clipped, professional, but not unkind.