With the list completed, they both headed to the library. Paul stayed by her side as they made their way to the library. Once inside, Jessica takes a deep breath. The room smelt of leather, wood, and lemon. She crutches around the space, reading the titles, caressing the bindings of the books, and just enjoying herself. She is surprised that she can find her favorite book for Paul in the library. She then locates a book with fairy tale stories and also gives that to Paul to hold. Lastly, she finds a book to read alone and hands that to Paul.
"Ok, Paul," Jessica said, "I am getting tired and would like to return to the cabin."
Paul nods, and with the books in hand, they head to the cabin. Paul opens all the doors for her, and on the rocky ground, he is right next to her. Jessica appreciates the space Paul gives her and is available if she needs him. When they reach the cabin, he opens the door for her.
"Hey, Miss Jessica, do you need anything else before I head out to work on the walker?" Paul asks.
"No, I will read on the couch by the fire. I'm a little cold." Jessica replied with a shiver.
Paul places the books on the side table and walks to the fireplace to add two logs to the fire. "Ok, that should help. There is a blanket on the couch and more in the trunk in the bedroom."
"Thanks for the information." She smiled and continued, "Let me know how you like the book."
"You're most welcome, Miss Jessica." Paul said, then added as he was scratching his head, "It might take me a couple of days to finish the book."
"That's ok," Jessica said, "and if you don't like it, that's ok too. Just you attempting to read it means a lot." She finished with a smile.
Paul returned the smile. "Well, I hope you enjoy your evening. I put Wolf's, mine, and all the other guys' numbers on the pad hanging on the frig in case you need to contact one of us for anything." He said, pointing to the pad.
Jessica nodded. "Thank you for all your help today, Paul." She said as she grabbed the blanket off the back of the couch and opened the book Paul placed on the side table for her.
Paul waved as he opened the door and closed it behind him.
Jessica was finally alone; she paused and took some deep breaths. She played the day back in her mind. It started with collecting some bulbs. She would need to get in some soil soon. Then saw the purple fox and large gray wolf that reminded her of herself and William for some strange reason. The tumble she took and how he appeared when she needed him the most. He has been everything that she has needed. He has shown how much he cares and is attracted to her.
She stares at the fire in the fireplace cracking, and her mind starts to race - How can he be so caring and not ask for anything in return? Who is this man? Would he be a good Daddy for me? Would he want to be my DD? Who would want me as a Sub? No one wants me. I am so tired of being alone. Why would William want me? I've been told I am too much for other Doms. I'm sure I will be too much for William. I am not worth his affection. I am not worth anyone's love. I am what those kids said in school "a waste of space." William is so handsome, and I am just a fat blob... No, I won't get my hopes up. I will just be discarded like yesterday's trash when someone more beautiful comes into his life.
Tears are welling up and begin to stream down her face. She takes her sleeve and wipes away her tears, and with a heavy sigh, she opens the book and begins to read the book she found. Her mind is still distracted from her toxic thoughts, and she is rereading the same sentence repeatedly, getting lost every time as another tear forms in her eyes. She closed the book after the fifteenth attempt to read the first page. She puts the book on the side table and pulls the blanket up, staring at the fire.
Still lost in thought, staring at the fire, she doesn't notice William entering the cabin. He looks at her from across the room, realizing that her eyes are a bright green and the white of her eyes has become red from crying. He instantly thinks Paul did something to upset her but then stops because he has never done anything like that to anyone. Out of everyone in the house, Paul is the most caring towards other feelings, it has to do with how he was treated growing up, but just in case, he sends him a text message:
W: Hey Paul, what did you and Jessica do after the guys and I went to the gym?
P: We talked about the guys a little and made a list of ingredients to pick up from the store. We went to the library to pick out some books. Miss Jessica picked a book out for me. Then we came back to the cabin; I told her where extra blankets were and put some logs on the fire to make sure she stayed warm; I showed her the list with everyone's number on it. She looked out of it, so I said goodnight shortly after that.
P: Can I get time to read the book she handed me? You know I read slowly.
W: Was she crying when you left?
P: No, what? She was crying. I wouldn't have left if I knew she would be crying. Wolf, I have no idea why she is crying.
W: Yeah, I know, and we can work out some time together, if you would like, to read the book. Would it help if it was available in audiobook?
P: The audiobook would be easier, but I want to try to read it first. If you have time to help, I would appreciate it, or if you're ok with it, I could ask Miss Jessica to help me.
W: We will review the book after you finish the walker. Remember, you have to be a man of your word.
P: Yes, Sir. Also, let me know if Miss Jessica needs anything else. I feel she may not have been treated kindly in the past.
W: You're a good man, Paul. I am proud to call you my little brother. Ok, get some rest, and your job for tomorrow is the walker and the trim you were working on earlier. I like how that was coming together on the piece.
P: Thanks, Wolf; happy to be part of the family, and I will handle the trim!
With a nod, William puts the phone in his pocket. He walks over to Jessica lying on the sofa and sits on the floor with his back on the couch, looking at the fire.
Jessica is suddenly aware that William is in the room. How is he so quiet? She thought as she reached out and touched the back of his hair. Her tears begin to subside as his presence calms her mind. "Thank you," she says in a whisper.
William leans his head back to see her eyes and asks, "Do you wanna talk about it?"
Jessica shakes her head, "No, it's stupid."