Loving His Forever by LeAnn Ashers

not more. We created this place for women like you, but your case is different. You have someone who cares and will protect you with every fiber of his being. I can see the fire in your eyes, and I need your help with these women here; help them find that fire. Will you help me?” She smiles hopefully.
    Unable to resist, I smile back at her. “Yes, I will help you.” I then tell her sadly, “I’m sorry for getting scared. It’s a habit.”
    “Honey, it’s normal, but the important thing is to not let it control you anymore. When you do that, then they are winning.” Her bottom lip trembles. Her husband rubs his finger over her bottom lip to stop her trembling lip. He kisses her temple and it’s like magic; a few simple touches and she’s completely calm again.
    Seeing a survivor who can be this happy gives me hope. Hope I am grabbing hold of and holding on to for dear life.
    “I need to know why you’re in danger,” a voice so deep it startles me says. I look over at its owner. Chrystal’s husband stares at me pointedly. Not unkindly, but like he is ready for anything.
    “I have a stalker...” I tell them my story. Even though it’s taking everything in me to do so; even though it makes everything so real and I don’t want to relive it.
    As I finish, a soul-tearing sob escapes as my heart breaks all over again. Gentle arms wrap around me, and I lay my head on Chrystal’s shoulder. Wiping my eyes, I look down at my hands while tears fall down my face. “So I ran. I left everything behind and became a shell of the woman I used to be. I was homeless for three years, living on the streets, scrounging for food, whatever I could get. I grew so scared I almost blacked out. Then he found me, and I managed to get away. Jumped onto a bus and went to my friend’s house. Then Ethan took me in and became my safe haven. Today, someone came into the bathroom while I was taking a shower. I thought it was Ethan because we were playing pranks on each other, but it wasn’t him.” I let out a ragged breath, trying to find the courage to look at the gentle lady and the scary-looking man.
    Sadness fills her eyes, but I also see understanding. Her husband just looks pissed off.
    “All right, let’s get you to meet everyone.” She smiles and claps her hands, distracting me from my emotions. I push myself up off the chair to stand behind her.
    She opens the door, and a little girl around five runs inside, yelling, “DADDY!” She flies past Chrystal and me into the man’s, whose name is Kyle, arms. The huge man turns into a gentle giant with a huge smile on his face. It’s amazing how someone can transform so easily. He scoops her up in his arms. She has tears in her little eyes.
    He sees them and growls, “What’s the matter, cupcake?”
    “A mean boy pushed me at school!” she cries out and shows him her scratched-up hands. His face turns from gentle to downright scary, seeing his little girl was hurt.
    “Why did he push you?” he asks in an eerily calm voice.
    “Because I told him to not be mean to my friend He called her ugly” She wipes away her little tears while her bottom lip trembles.
    “Did you hit the boy back?” he asks her angrily.
    I almost laugh because it’s such a dad response.
    “No, my boyfriend punched him.” She smiles a little when she says boyfriend. Kyle’s eyes almost pop out of his head. Putting my hand over my mouth, I try to quiet my laughter.
    “You do not have a boyfriend,” he tells her sternly and gives her they eye.
    “But I do... His name is Nathan. His daddy drives a motorcycle with leather.” Her little dimples pop out.
    He falls back into his chair and rubs his face roughly while mumbling, “God help me, I’m screwed.”
    Unable to hold back any longer, I let out a big laugh. Chrystal laughs with me. She grabs my hands and leads me out the door. “Come on, lady, let’s go meet the girls and kiddos.”
    Chrystal turns around the corner and into this big room with