Water Goddess

by Crystal Inman

  “Her sisters.” Erin bit her lip. This was all rather odd. “Did you dream them, too?”

  “Just once.” Erica sat down on the edge of her bed and closed her eyes. “They gather in the garden. Wilda teases Eden and tells her that the garden needs more flowers. Kendra laughs, and Tempest makes the breeze come.”

  Erin sank down right beside her. Her hands shook. “You dreamed this?”

  “It was lovely.” Erica sighed. “They laugh, and they tease.” She looked at Kendra. “Are they really your sisters?”

  “Each and every one of them.” Kendra sat on the floor and smiled up at the two females. “Not every one has lovely dreams like you do.” She motioned to the pictures. “Or can draw so beautifully. Have you always been able to do this?”

  “No.” Erica’s face closed off. “Just the past year or so.”

  “You don’t mind that Kendra is here, do you?”

  “No.” Erica tried to smile. “But I know why you’re here. Both of you. You want to know my secret.”

  “It might help if you talked about it.” Erin folded her hands in her lap. “You’ve been hurt. I can see that. I’ve been hurt, too. I only want to help if I can.”

  “No one can help.” Erica’s voice was small in the silent room. “More people would be hurt. He said so.”

  Erin’s spine stiffened. Her worst fears confirmed. When she glanced at Kendra, she saw her friend concentrating on Erica.

  “We can help you, Erica. We can stop him.”

  “He came here.” Erica’s breath hitched, and she sobbed.

  Erin didn’t hesitate. She folded Erica’s body close to her and rocked the little girl while she cried. Her tears mingled with Erica’s, and she let them fall.

  “It’s not your fault,” she whispered. “It’s never your fault.” Erin kissed the girl’s head and rocked her still. “Let us help you.”

  “I’m scared,” Erica whimpered. “No one will understand. They’ll say I was bad. And he’ll come back and hurt me.” She looked up at Erin with dark, tear-filled eyes. “If I don’t talk about it, no one will know.”

  “Erica.”

  Her head turned at Kendra’s voice.

  “Listen to me, please.” Her voice softened and soothed. “This man is bad. Not you. He hurt you. Your family needs to know to protect you. They love you. Your heart will never heal if you keep this pain in it.”

  “They’ll hate me.” Erica hid her eyes and refused to look at either woman.

  Kendra closed her eyes for a moment and then looked at Erin. “I can help, but I need my sisters. Do you promise to keep this between us?”

  “I do.” Erin watched her carefully.

  Kendra walked forward and leaned toward Erica. Her soft words soothed the child until she was calm enough to talk.

  “I won’t ask you who did this, Erica. Your heart is so fragile right now. But we need to know what he has done to you. We need to help you.”

  “He touched me.” The girl shuddered and balled her hands in her lap. “He came in the night and touched me. In this house.” Erica struggled with the words. “He told me he loved me. He would come back for me. And if I told anyone, he would hurt them badly. I was his.”

  Erin felt faint as the words washed over her. Erica was molested in this house. The nausea rose in her throat, and she forced it down with an effort. Tears stung her eyes as she listened to Erica go over everything he did to her.

  When Erica finished, Kendra hugged her and laid her down on the covers. “You will sleep, child. You will dream beautiful dreams that make your heart soar. And you will know that none of this is your fault. You will heal. And you will never be touched like that again.”

  Erin stood with trembling hands. In this house. The words echoed in her head.

  “Stop it!” Kendra faced her, furious. “The man who did this is not Daniel. That you already know. He was no one that you’ve met.”

  “How do you know?” she whispered.

  “Close your eyes, Erin. Concentrate.”

  Images of Friday’s dinner flowed through her. The close-knit family. The laughter and the love. It was none she had met. The truth was a certainty that couldn’t be denied.

  “Who is he?”

  “You will know.” Kendra sighed and looked down at the sleeping child. “It will be hard for her. But at least she has shared the pain. She can begin to heal now.”

  “Who are you?” Erin studied her carefully. Her pale blue eyes were intent on the other woman.

  “I’m your friend.” Kendra brushed back her own hair with a smile. “Your health and well-being are of the utmost importance to me.”

  “You’re a very odd woman.”

  Kendra’s shoulders shook with soft laughter. “You have no idea.”

  * * * *

  They stayed in Erica’s room for another fifteen minutes and watched Erica sleep. Then they looked at all the pictures in the room. The girl had talent. That was obvious. And Erin’s mind was already working on how she could focus that talent into something to help the girl.

  They left the room and walked downstairs. Daniel was alone in the living room though dinner was ready on the table. He had ordered Chinese. There were all sorts of little containers littered all over the table. He glanced up at their approach.

  “Come. Sit.” He motioned to the table with an expansive wave. “I’ve ordered dinner. Mama is at a friend’s house playing poker.”

  “Poker?” Erin smiled. “Go, Maria.” Her smile faded as she sat. She glanced at Kendra and noted that she seemed easy in the setting. How was she going to tell him that his niece whom he loved dearly had been molested? And in this very house? Her stomach lurched, and she looked at the food with near panic. She would throw up if she ate a bit of it.

  “Be at ease, Erin.” Kendra motioned to her full plate. “We will talk after dinner. You need to eat.” She picked up a larger white container and nudged it toward her. “Try these. They’re delicious.”

  The knot in her stomach eased a bit. Kendra was right. It would take everything in her not to betray Erica’s trust while still ensuring her safety. Erin picked through the containers and put enough food on her plate to fortify her resolve.

  Out of the corner of her eye, she watched Daniel. His motions were stilted, and she watched nervously. He knew something was wrong. Their eyes met, and she tried to smile. But she simply couldn’t.

  They ate in silence. When everyone was finished, Daniel cleared the table. He came back a few minutes later with a pensive look.

  “You both know something.” He looked from Erin to Kendra and back again. His hazel eyes studied her intently. Then he stuffed his hands into his pockets and jangled the change nervously. “I would have you tell me.”

  Kendra sat silently and looked at Erin. After Kendra inclined her head slightly, Erin took a deep breath. She would give anything in the world to not have to share the news she knew she had to.

  “Erica has been hurt.” The words were soft and unsteady. Erin sighed. “Someone has hurt her in this house.” She met Daniel’s eyes and tried to convey her meaning without dredging it up again.

  “Who has hurt her?” Daniel’s hazel eyes clouded over in pain, and he staggered toward a chair. He sank into it slowly. “Did she tell you?”

  “No.” Erin clenched her fists in her lap. “It is no one who was here Friday. I’m sure of that. But the fact remains that someone you know has come into this house and touched her inappropriately.” The last part of the sentence rushed out.

  “Erica?” Daniel’s jaw tightened, and his eyes darkened to a forest green. “Someone has touched my niece?” He hit the table in front of him and fought to control himself. Erin watched his inner struggle and stood up. She walked over and stood behind him. Then she leaned down to hug him. Trying her best to comfort him.

  At first, he was stiff. She could feel the tension bow up in him. He hurt for his niece. Daniel turned suddenly and buried his head in her stomach. Erin held him there while he sh
ook. When he settled, he looked up into her eyes.

  His voice was hoarse. “I will call Max immediately. He will install an alarm system and stay here until further notice.” Daniel’s hands shook as he called Max on his cell phone. Five minutes later, he snapped the phone shut and looked at the women.

  “He will be here in half an hour. The alarm will be installed tomorrow. And no one, no one, will ever touch my niece again.” He looked a decade older as he sat there. “Can I do anything for her?”

  “Reassure her.” Kendra’s voice floated over to them. “She is afraid others will hate her. She thinks this is her fault. The man has convinced her that she’s bad. And she’s scared to death to disappoint any of you. She’s resting now.”

  “Oh, Jesus.” Daniel wiped at his eyes. “One of my own. Jesus.” He breathed deeply. “I will have to tell Mama.” Utter fury contorted his features. “I will find out who this man is. I will make sure he pays for what he’s done.”

  “Don’t ask Erica who it is.” Erin moved and sat down next to him. “She’s dealing with a lot right now. Get her a counselor. Let her tell you when she’s ready.”

  “Did you have a counselor?” Daniel asked starkly.

  “No.” Erin blushed and stammered. “I didn’t.” She looked at Kendra in shame.

  “I love you no matter what, Erin.” Kendra smiled. “And I don’t think I’m the only one.” She stood smoothly. “I need to go home now.” Lightning streaked across the sky, closely followed by thunder. Kendra laughed. “I think we’re in for another storm.” She wrapped her arms around herself. “I love those.”

  “How’re you getting home?” Erin stood. “Here. Take my car. I can catch a ride.” She shoved her car keys into Kendra’s hand. “Daniel can take me, can’t you?”

  “I will.” Daniel inclined his head.

  “Thank you.” Kendra took the keys and looked at Daniel. “Just love her.” She walked out of the room. They heard the door open and close.

  “I like your friend,” Daniel said. He rubbed his hands over his face. “But I’m not interested in her. No matter how closely she resembles you.”

  “What?” Erin looked down at him.

  Daniel stood slowly. “We both knew what you were doing on the front porch, querida. Your Kendra is interesting. Wise. But she is not for me. You are.”

  “I can’t do this right now.” Erin turned her back to him. “We need to concentrate on Erica. She needs help.”

  She felt Daniel’s arms slide around her. His breath warmed her ear. “I will make sure no one ever hurts my niece again. But I’m concerned about you. About your pain.”

  Erin shook in his arms. Her past lay between them right then. All the men she had lain with. All the shameful things she had done.

  “I’m not for you, Daniel.” Erin turned and looked him in the eye. “You can’t love me.”

  “Too late.”

  A loud knocking broke them apart, and Daniel strode from the room. Erin composed herself with a great deal of effort. What would it be like to lean on a man like Daniel? To know that he would be there no matter what? To have a love like that?

  She looked up as Max and Daniel reentered the room.

  “Hi!” Max’s large form filled the doorway. “How are you?” His face broke into a surprised smile.

  “I’m fine.” Erin smiled back. “How are you?”

  “I’ve been better.” Max’s smile faded. “But I will make sure no one hurts Erica again.” His beefy hands clenched, and he popped his knuckles.

  Erin walked over and put her hand on his arm. “You’re a good friend, Max.”

  The big man blushed, and he coughed. “Um…thanks.”

  Daniel glanced at the clock. “Mama will be home in about twenty minutes. I will speak with her. And then I will take Erin home.” He motioned to Max, and the big man lumbered over. “Keep an eye on the children, please. And you may want to call a couple of the crew over to watch the house this evening.”

  “Done, boss.” Max nodded and flipped his cell phone open. He turned his back and walked back into the living room.

  “Don’t blame yourself.” Erin’s blue eyes found Daniel’s. “How could you know what would happen? That Erica would be hurt?”

  “It is my job.” Daniel punched his fist into his hand. “I take care of them. I have failed. And for this, my niece will pay the price.” He sighed and shut his eyes. “How will I tell Mama? Tell her that her grandchild was hurt under her very roof?” He shuddered with pain.

  Erin smoothed down her dress and moved forward. She pulled Daniel into her arms and tried to shoulder some of the pain she knew he must be feeling. To experience the abuse left scars that never quite healed over, but Erin had no concept of the pain it could cause others.

  Daniel’s heart broke for his family. Erin could see the pain etched deeply in his face while he struggled for control. But she knew without a doubt that no one would ever harm his niece again. Kendra’s words came back to her. She was something more than she claimed to be. Her calming influence. Her gift with people.

  “Thank you, querida.” Daniel moved back and smoothed down his hair with a stilted motion. “I ask that you let me speak to Mama alone.”

  “Are you sure?” Erin bit her lip. “I could try and help.”

  “Positive.” Daniel’s eyes blazed. “I will take care of this.”

  They both sat and waited in silence until they heard Maria arrive. Her cheerful voice floated through the house followed by her laughter.

  Daniel met Erin’s eyes, and she quickly stood.

  Maria walked into the dining room and smiled. “Ah. So nice for a woman to come home and see her son and his friend.” She motioned to the front of the house. “And is that Max’s truck, too? He has come to visit?”

  “He will be staying here awhile, Mama.”

  Erin stood and excused herself. She wandered into the hallway to look at the pictures again. She was a coward. There was no way in the world she wanted to hear what was being said in the dining room. Her fist clenched. How would Maria react? Erin’s stomach lurched. She would feel the same as Daniel.

  Five minutes later, Maria walked toward her with tears streaming down her face. She looked haggard as if someone had aged her a couple of decades. Her beautiful dark eyes were filled with pain. Erin didn’t think twice. She opened her arms, and the smaller woman moved into them and clung to her.

  “I’m so sorry, Maria,” Erin whispered. She kissed the woman’s hair softly. “But she will heal now. And no one will hurt her again.”

  “In my house.” Maria lifted her head and pinned Erin with her gaze. Her hand trembled. “I need to see her. To see if I can do anything.”

  “Give her time, Mama.” Daniel walked up behind her and squeezed her shoulders. His eyes met Erin’s. “Erica is sleeping now. When she wakes, you may go to her.”

  “Si.” Maria sighed. “I will go and clean up a bit. Then I wait.” She turned and walked at a snail’s pace away from them.

  “Oh, Daniel.” Erin’s heart broke for the older woman. “Will she be all right?”

  “This man.” Daniel spat the words. “He has destroyed a part of her. And I will see him pay for it. For both of them.” He sighed. “I will take you home now.”

  “Are you sure?” Erin grimaced. “I can take a cab. Why don’t you stay here with your mother?”

  “I will take you home.” Daniel smiled. “And I want to thank you. For everything.”

  Shame spilled through her. Thank her for what? Destroying a family? Prying a painful secret from a child? Jesus. She was a walking fucking hazard. Nausea roiled in her stomach. Yeah. She was a great houseguest.

  “Sure.” Erin’s voice was flat. “Take me home, Daniel.” She turned on her heel and walked to the front porch.

  He joined her a few minutes later with his keys dangling from his hand. They walked quietly to the car where he let her in and then himself. They rode in silence to her house.

  When they reached the dri
veway, Erin started to unlock her door and step out, but Daniel’s hand stopped her. She peered at him in the darkness.

  “What?” she whispered.

  “I need to speak with you. This evening.”

  “Are you sure you don’t need to be getting home?” Erin’s nerves were stretched to the point of breaking. How could she explain how fragile she felt at this moment? Exposed. As thin as a threadbare sheet blowing in the breeze.

  “I would come in.”

  “Fine,” Erin bit out. “Come in. But I have a long day tomorrow and need some rest.” She shook his hand off and opened her own car door. She didn’t wait for him. As she hurried to her front porch, her shoes tapped on the driveway.

  Erin felt Daniel behind her a minute later. His nearness and warmth permeated the chill she could feel deep in her bones. Her hands shook as she slid the key into the lock. When the lock tumbled, Daniel reached from behind her and pushed the door open.

  Her house was dark. Erin hadn’t thought to turn on any lights. The only glow came from her single nightlight in the kitchen. She turned to flick the light switch when Daniel’s hand covered hers.

  “Daniel.” Panic coated her voice. There was a strength and purpose in him that thrilled and scared her.

  He didn’t want to talk. That much was clear to her as her hand lay protected in his. Daniel wanted a piece of her that no one else ever had. And that scared the hell out of her.

  Chapter 9

  Erin stayed where she was. She was afraid to move. To breathe.

  “Erin,” Daniel breathed against her ear. “I have to touch you. Please. Let me.” He turned her slowly so that she faced him and cupped her cheek. “So beautiful,” he murmured. He brushed his lips softly against hers, and she sighed.

  She would be lying to herself if she claimed she didn’t want to kiss Daniel. Her pulse leapt as he gently grazed her lips again. His hazel eyes looked down at her. Erin could see the desire written plainly across his face. She closed her eyes as he ducked his head again.

  But this was not the gentle kiss she expected. Erin felt his tongue trace the smooth outline of her lips, and she gasped. And then his tongue slid inside the softness between her lips to stroke her tongue in leisure.