Chapter Sixteen

Ruth wakes to a shiver of cold. She's naked and Nelson has left the sheets pulled back from when he got out of bed. She rolls over and tries to huddle for warmth. And as her mind wakes, she becomes aware of the sound of the water running in the bathroom. She smiles. He hasn't left yet. He's showering. And maybe he'll say goodbye before he goes.

The water shuts off a moment later, jolting her out of her doze. The bedroom door opens and he slips inside quietly. "Find everything you need?" she asks softly.

Nelson jumps at the sound of her voice. "Jesus, I didn't know you were awake." His voice is gravelly. She likes the sound of him first thing in the morning.

"I got cold," she answers with a small smile.

"Oh, sorry. Next time I'll make sure you're tucked in."

Ruth grins at that. Next time. What a nice thought.

Nelson is wearing only his trunks with a towel around his shoulders. He goes to his carryall to get his clothes and towels his hair dry. He's got gorgeous hair, especially when its wet. Thick and wavy, just long enough to show off the texture, but short enough to be professional and conservative, like him. It's more gray than black, but Ruth likes it that way.

Her eyes travel down his muscled back to his rather nice bum inside his trunks. His legs are muscled and covered in a dusting of dark hairs. She's never gotten the privilege of watching him like this before, clothed in early morning shadow and not much else.

"I thought you'd be asleep when I got up, but I'm glad you're awake. Though with the shower and all, you think Katie's woken up?" he asks, turning back towards her as he puts on his trousers.

Ruth has to tear her eyes away from his body, blinking herself back to reality. "No, she's a pretty heavy sleeper. It's too early for her." His words tumble over in her half-asleep mind. "Wait, why are you glad I'm awake?"

A small smile appears on his lips as he buttons his shirt. "Because now I can kiss you before I go."

Her heart melts to a puddle of goo. How can he possibly be so romantic? Was he always hiding this part of himself all these years? Ruth never expected anything like this from Nelson. But she tamps down that gooey part of herself, deciding to make a joke instead. "Well, if you tried to kiss me while I was asleep, I might have gotten confused and hit you."

He crosses over to her and presses a swift kiss to her lips. "Maybe you'll get used to me kissing you while you're asleep and you won't get confused. But till then, I'll try not to catch you off guard," he whispers before giving her another kiss.

Ruth hums happily against his lips. She pulls back with a furrowed brow. "You smell like strawberries and cream. Did you use Kate's shampoo?"

"Women's shampoo is expensive. I didn't want to use up yours."

Obviously he's used to Michelle, a professional hairdresser. He's being considerate, and Ruth doesn't have the heart to tell him she buys Pantene from Boots for two pounds fifty. "Well good luck explaining to people why your hair smells like a five-year-old's."

Nelson scoffs, "Who d'you think's going to be sniffing my hair?"

She shrugs. "You get all sorts at the police station, don't you?"

He rolls his eyes and goes back to dressing. "Speaking of police station, I'd better get going. The drive takes longer from here." He turns to grab his things. "Can I call you tonight?"

"Text me when you get home, and I'll call you after Kate's asleep," she says.

"Good idea. And I'd like to see her again at the weekend, if it's okay."

Ruth can't help but smile. "Yes, it's okay. We like having you around."

Nelson stops what he's doing to look at her curiously. "Do you?"

"Of course. You know Kate adores you. And she's much better behaved when you're around. And I'm starting to see the benefits of having you here."

He chooses not to press. He knows they could tease about the sex being good—which it is—or how he's helpful in looking after Katie. But Nelson hopes that his slight intrusions into her sacred home life are becoming less threatening and more welcome. He's even starting to get used to the cramped nature of her cottage. The darkness of the saltmarsh is still mildly crippling, but inside, it feels…cozy. It's cozy to snuggle with Kate on the sofa with Flint nearby, watching and judging him. It's cozy to wrap himself around Ruth and caress her curves and taste her beautiful skin. The cottage certainly isn't home yet, but he does see how it might be. One day.

Nelson cannot resist kissing Ruth just a few more times before he tears himself away and hurries downstairs to his car before Katie wakes up to catch him. He thinks of her all the way to the station in Lynn. She's got her mother's eyes and his hair. But she's so much of her own person, is Katie. Kate Scarlett Galloway. It's a good name, and it suits her perfectly. But a small part of him will always secretly think of her as Katie Nelson. His precious little girl. She won't be little forever, he knows. She's growing up every day, and he's lucky to get to spend more time with her now. She'll be starting school soon, and she'll be influenced by her peers and her teachers. Will she take to sport, like Rebecca had? Will she be obsessed with makeup and clothes like Laura? Or will she take after Ruth and find a passion for science? Nelson can't quite imagine Katie taking after him. He'd hate for her to become a copper. Too dangerous. Not well-suited for his little girl. But then again, Judy Johnson is a practically perfect police sergeant. Kind and gentle when needed but tough and brilliant always. But as much as Nelson respects Johnson and values her on his team, it still isn't the life he wants for Katie. Just so long as she doesn't become a bloody druid, he'll be happy.

When he walks into the station, Clough is there waiting for him with a grave expression. "Where've you been, boss?" he asks.

Such a question is unlike Cloughie. "How d'you mean?"

"You didn't answer your mobile," he explains.

"Christ," Nelson swears under his breath. He's forgotten all about his mobile. He usually charges it when he gets home. He didn't go home last night. He hadn't thought about it for a second when he was with Ruth and Kate. It must have gone dead overnight. "What's going on?"

Clough looks worried. "I think you'd better go home."

"Why?"

"Well, we got a call here. And I got one on my mobile. It's Laura."

"Laura? My Laura!?"

Clough nods. "She called the station looking for you and then called me when the desk sergeant said you weren't here. I was about to start calling hospitals."

"Jesus wept," Nelson grumbles. Laura must be at the house. She must know he wasn't at home last night. What a bloody nightmare.

Without another word, Nelson turns and heads right back out to his car. He's got to go home now. He's got to see Laura and figure out what to tell her. She's going to hate him even more now, he can feel it.

Well, at least Laura had been sad and upset at the news of the divorce. Rebecca had erupted with anger and blame. Jesus, that's probably why Laura has come home, wanting to talk to him and cry and possibly beg for it to all go away. And instead of being around to comfort his eldest daughter, he'd been off reading a storybook to his youngest daughter and shagging her mother. How can he explain any of that to Laura now?

Her car is parked in front of the house, and Nelson pulls into the driveway. He wishes his phone wasn't dead so he could text Ruth or call her just to hear her voice, but it's probably best he can't reach her right now. He can't let her get involved with all this. Not yet, anyway. He and Michelle have to sort things with their daughters. Ruth is obviously a part of it, but she is his light at the end of the tunnel. He doesn't want to drag her into the darkness if he can help it. And while that might sound gallant of him, it's really quite selfish; he wants to shield Ruth from the ugliness so she won't hate him for getting her involved. He can't lose her.

And with that thought in mind, for better or worse, he gets out of the car and goes into the house.