Rose sagged against the wall.
What is this place?
Are they all crazy?
“Oh crap, are you okay?”
She blinked at Lily. “Um—ah—” Her hands went to her throat, and she rubbed, trying to remind herself how to breathe.
Lily wrapped an arm around her and half carried her down to her place. She nudged open the door with her elbow and got them inside. “Rexar, call Caleb. Now.”
Her husband’s eyes widened. He pulled out his phone, stabbed at the screen with his index finger, and put it to his ear. “Get your ass here, now. Your woman is in my house and scared out of her fucking mind.” He stuffed the phone back in his pocket.
“Come sit down.” Lily guided her to the couch and pushed her into it. “You don’t want to fall over. Can I get you water? RJ, please bring me a glass of water.”
Rose flinched when Rexar came closer. He stopped in his tracks and squatted on his haunches, bringing his face to her eye level. “Is it easier for you if I leave? I can stand outside the door and wait for Caleb, so you know you are safe?”
Oh God, now she was throwing the man out of his own home. Her mouth opened and closed, but no words came out. Nothing made sense in her hysterical state.
“She’s scared. I think you should go.” Lily softened her words with a stroke down his arm. “Take RJ with you. Maybe he can go to the barn and see the foals or something.”
“You got it.” Rexar straightened and took RJ’s hand. “I’ll be just outside the door. Let me know if you need help, ‘k?” Lily nodded, and the boys left, shutting the door behind them.
Lily sank carefully onto the couch beside her. “What do you need?”
“Cold.” Why couldn’t she string two words together? This was ridiculous. She was competent, dang it. She just needed to figure out how to act like it.
“I think you’re in shock.” The sympathy in her voice brought a fresh wave of tears that Rose couldn’t have stopped if she’d tried. Lily stood and pulled her to her feet. “Come on, jump in my shower and warm up. A hot shower always makes me feel better.”
She followed her through their house and into the bathroom. Lily flipped on the shower. “I’ll grab you some towels and some comfy clothes.”
“Th—thank you.” The words garbled between her chattering teeth, but she figured Lily understood her when she answered with a smile over her shoulder as she disappeared out of the room, closing the door behind her.
It took a few moments before the heat of the water started to penetrate the ice on her skin. Rose huddled under the water, struggling to figure out how on earth her morning had gone to hell so fast. Was this what these people went through day in, day out? Thinking they were finally in a safe spot, only for life to yank the rug out from under them?
I knew better than to let my guard down.
I knew it, and I did it anyway.
Stupid. I was stupid to think I could have a normal week, never mind a normal life.
Stupid.
Stupid.
Stupid.
These people must think I’ve lost my mind.
Mortified, she dashed at the tears rolling down her cheeks angrily. She had no business crying. Crying would fix nothing. Nothing. She knew that. She’d learned that lesson well. Her mistake had been allowing herself to dream of more.
Never again.
No more wishes.
No more dreams.
Rely on nobody but yourself.
