Wanting Mr. Barkley (Book 2)

Prologue . . . In the Beginning

Prologue . . . In the Beginning

9 Years ago . . .

Karen's POV

I got off the bus and began walking, not knowing where I was going, how I was going to get a roof over our heads, or food in our stomaches.
I wasn't the important one though.
The little bundle of joy that was wrapped in his blue blanket was.

I stopped and stared at him as he stared up at me. He didn't make a peep the whole four hour bus ride here. I was truly blessed. I just wished his father realized that he was too.
I shook my head, I couldn't think about him right now. I had to get away and find some place that was safe for the both of us, but how I was going to get to that safe haven was unknown to my brain.

I kept walking with nothing but the clothes on my back and what I could pack in the small baby bag which was getting lighter every hour.
I sighed as thunder began to boom in the sky and droplets of water began to fall on my face. "Damn." I whispered just before it began to rain harder.

I moved quickly being sure not to hurt my baby, and made it to a building where the outside roof was able to cover us both.

I sighed and sunk down against the wall of the building. I was screwed, and I let my child down. I looked at my little boy and touched his soft chubby little cheeks, but still he did not cry. I smiled at my little baby even though on the inside I wanted to cry.
I saw lights pulling in next to the building, I held my breath and pulled my baby tight to my chest. I would protect it from whoever or whatever threatened my little boy.

The car stopped next to us, but with the darkness I couldn't see a face.
I watched as the car door opened and shut close just as heavy footprints came our way.

I closed my eyes and held the baby close. "Please don't hurt us." I pleaded with the stranger as the footsteps came closer.

"Sh . . . I'm not going to hurt you. I'm here to help you. I'm a police officer." I looked at the badge on his shirt and fear escaped my body.

"Please help us." I begged.

"Us?" He asked confused before his eyes traveled to my baby. "Okay, come on." He helped me up and I let out a gasp as he touched one of my bruises. "Are you hurt?" I ducked my head down.

"Just a bruise." He didn't reply back but continued to lead me to his car. He put me in the passenger seat before making his way to his side.

"You have any where to go? Or anyone I could call?" I shook my head.

"No sir."

"Call me Paul. Do you want to tell me what happened?"

"I-I- was in an accident." I lied.

"An accident? Do you or you're son need to go to the hospital?"

"No, we're fine, but we have  nowhere to go." I sighed as the feeling of failure was taking over.

"Do you have money?" I quickly looked through the diaper bag and found my wallet. When I opened it I counted thirty dollars.

"I have thirty dollars. That should get us a night in a hotel and I can get a job, right?" I looked at Paul and heat quickly rushed to my cheeks. "Sorry for rambeling."

He chuckled. "No, it's fine. You actually remind me of my wife."

"You have a wife?"

"Yes, her name is Mary, and I have three sons Dylan who is nineteen, Derek who is sixteen , and Dean who is thirteen. I hope you don't mind." He said as the car suddenly came to a hault.