Elk Creek

Chapter 5

A/N Hi everyone! Thank you so much for reading my story. I would love to know what you all think so far. What you would like to see more of? This story is very much still a work in progress. Scenes could be added. My goal is to get another 20,000 words added into it. Enjoy!

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Hands clenched at her sides, Raina stood waiting in the hall. After breakfast, she'd gone up stairs to get ready for a day of horseback riding. Silently, she glanced down at what she was wearing. Yeah I'm ready. An old pair of jeans, a ratty sweatshirt. A pair of riding boots borrowed from Katrina was the only thing about her ready for the day.

Upstairs, Raina could hear Izabelle's bell like laughter mingling with Katrina's. The young woman that had stolen Doug's heart was good with the little girl. She would be a good mother herself one day. Raina was sure that was part of Doug's plan, sending her off so they could play parents. Doug had always wanted kids; Katrina wasn't so keen on the idea.

The wind blew against the front door at her back. Raina jumped as the hardwood panels let loose a low moan. Her eyes darted toward the windows that ran along the sides of the front door, searching for the person trying to get into the house. No one was outside.

"You alright?" Once again Raina jumped as Val's deep voice raced over her skin. Turning, she found Val standing by the stairs, his muscled arms folded across the gray tshirt that now obscured his chest. For a moment she just stared at him, her eyes wide with surprise. Again she had mistaken the fact that there was silence for her being alone.

"Y-yeah, I'm fine," she finally responded. A raised brow said Val didn't believe her.

"Ready to go?" Val asked, taking a step toward her and the front door. Eyes moving toward the stairs, Raina nodded apprehensively.

"We don't have to do this," Val assured, moving closer. Concern creased his face at the corners. "You can stay here with your daughter." Inches away from her he stopped, brushing her arm softly. Relaxing, she leaned into his touch.

"I..." Biting her lip in hesitation, Raina glanced up into Val's face. "No." Again, she glanced toward the stairs. "It'll be good for Iza to spend some time with her uncle."

"Ya wanna tell 'er goodbye then?" He made it sound like she might make another escape attempt.

Turning, Raina stepped around Val and made her way upstairs, completely deaf to Val following behind her.

Instead of stopping in the doorway as she had earlier, Raina moved swiftly across the room to where her little girl sat playing with the few toys that Raina was able to grab on her way out of the apartment in Chicago. Raina dropped down to her knees in front of Izabelle.

"Iza, baby, Mama's gonna go out for the day," Raina spoke gently, clearing the little girl's face of dark curls. "Uncle Doug and Aunt Katrina are gonna hang out with you while I'm gone. Does that sound fun?" Focused, Raina scanned her daughter's face for any sign of objection. Shaking dark curls back into her eyes, Izabelle glanced up at Raina and smiled a toothy grin.

"Do I get more cookies?" she asked innocently.

"Of course," Raina laughed, her lips spreading into a wide grin. "Just be good for your aunt and uncle."

"I will! I will!" Izabelle jumped up and down, excited.

"Alright, gi'me a hug. I gotta go," Raina said, holding her arms out wide. The little girl leaped into her mother's embrace. Breathing in the scent of her little girl, Raina glanced over her daughter's shoulder to make eye contact with Val as he stood watching from the door way. She would have to tell him. Soon. She just had to figure out how first.