Shattered Then Healed By His Love (by Haley Blanton) novel Chapter 45

pter 45 Empty Room Wrong Move

Chapter 45 Empty Room Wrong Move

The sharp slam of the door startled Jackson just as he was coming up the stairs.

His hand, holding the phone, jerked slightly.

“Jackson, are you home already?”

A woman’s soft voice drifted into his car.

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Jackson’s eyes flicked toward Marcus‘ tightly closed door, then shifted to the room next to it.

His expression darkened instantly. “I’m back. Get some rest, alright? Goodnight.”

“Goodnight, Jackson.”

Victoria’s voice carried a trace of reluctance, but in the end she still wished him goodnight.

Jackson pushed open the bedroom door. The room was empty.

“Natalie? Natalie…”

He called toward the bathroom, but no one answered.

Then he noticed the empty beer bottle left on the balcony; his brows drew together.

After a moment’s hesitation, he stepped out onto the balcony.

He picked up the bottle and sniffed it—fresh, recently drunk.

She’d been drinking, so why wasn’t she here? Where had she gone? Questions circled endlessly in his mind.

Just then, he noticed the light on in the balcony next door. He leaned closer and called out, “Uncle Marcus, are you still awake?”

At that moment, in the next room-

Marcus had just laid her on the bed when Jackson’s voice came through the balcony,

He strode outside and saw Jackson leaning against the railing, a questioning look in his eyes. “Uncle Marcus, have you seen Natalie? Where did she go?”

Marcus had already prepared his answer. His tone was calm. “Grandfather isn’t doing well. She

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Chapter 45 Empty Room Wrong Move

went up to the third floor to keep watch.”

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Jackson pointed toward the bottle behind him. “But she’s been drinking. She can’t hold her liquor, one drink and she’s done. How could she possibly take care of Grandfather? I’d better go check.”

“Don’t go up.” Marcus‘ voice cut him short. “It took a lot to settle Grandfather down. Chances are Ms. Foster is asleep in the side bedroom by now. She’s had a long day; don’t disturb them.”

Jackson froze for a moment, then finally gave a slight nod. “Alright. You should get some rest too, Uncle Marcus.”

Marcus inclined his head.

When Marcus didn’t move, Jackson turned and went inside first.

Only after the lights went out in the room next door did Marcus return to his own.

The moment he stepped inside, he saw that Natalie had somehow rolled off the bed onto the floor.

It was summer, yes, but lying there for long wasn’t good.

He hurried over to lift her. But as he bent down on one knee, her arms suddenly locked tightly around his neck.

Thrown off balance, Marcus toppled forward–landing squarely against her.

And in that instant, his lips pressed against hers.

A jolt, sharp and electric, shot through his entire body.

His eyes widened in shock as he stared at her delicate features so close to his own.

Her lips shifted faintly beneath his; his breath caught, heavy in his chest.

Marcus pulled away quickly. Natalie, however, lay quietly on the floor, sound asleep.

He scooped her up without another word and laid her back in bed, pulling the covers over her.

As he tucked in the corners, his eyes fell–unbidden–on her lips.

A part of him responded instantly, far too easily.

His brows drew together in a tight frown.

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