"Well," I say, setting my mug on the coffee table. "I go to work at noon. Check that engine. Do my shift."
She nods, her expression neutral. "And I should probably figure out what to do about my car. And clothes. And... everything."
"Or," I suggest, "you could stay here while I work. Use my truck if you need to get around town. I can give you directions to a clothing shop on Main Street."
Hope flickers across her face. "You wouldn't mind?"
"Mind?" I laugh softly. "Lori, after what just happened between us... I was trying to figure out how to ask you to stay without sounding like I'm trying to control your choices."
Her expression softens. "That's exactly why I want to," she says quietly. "You ask what I want instead of telling me what I should do."
I reach out, tucking a strand of damp hair behind her ear.
"I have a spare key," I tell her. "It's yours if you want it."
She sets her coffee down and shifts closer to me on the couch. "Just like that? You barely know me."
"I know enough," I say. "I know you're brave enough to walk away from something that was hurting you. I know you stand your ground even when you're scared. I know there's something between us that I haven't felt in a long time."
She looks at me for a long moment, her eyes searching mine. "It's insane, isn't it? How fast this is happening?"
"Maybe," I admit. "But some things you just know."
Her hand finds mine, our fingers intertwining naturally. "What about Richard? He knows where I am now. He won't just disappear."
"We'll deal with that together," I promise. "This town looks after its own. And that includes you now, if you want it to."
"I feel safe," she says. "Seen. Like maybe I can actually be myself here."
I squeeze her hand gently.
"It's beautiful here," Lori says, watching the snow through the window. "Peaceful."
"It grows on you," I agree. "I came here after my military service, looking for quiet. Found more than that."
"The fire department?"
I nod. "They became family pretty quick. Chief took me under his wing, gave me a purpose again."
She studies me for a moment. "You like it, don't you? Being a firefighter."
"Best job in the world," I tell her honestly. "Every day is different. Sometimes terrifying, sometimes boring as hell, but always meaningful."
"That's how I felt about teaching," she says softly. "Before Richard convinced me it wasn't important enough."
I set down my fork. "You were studying education, right? Before you met him?"
She nods. "Elementary education. I was halfway through my degree."
"Whitetail Falls Elementary is always looking for good teachers," I offer, then immediately wonder if I'm pushing too hard. "Not that you have to stay here. Just, you know, options."
"Options," she repeats, something warm in her expression. "I haven't had many of those lately."
Her phone buzzes on the counter where it's been charging. I see her tense, her eyes darting to it. We both know who it's likely to be.
"You don't have to look at it," I remind her gently.
She takes a deep breath and stands, crossing to pick up the phone. I watch her face as she reads the message, relieved when I see determination rather than fear in her expression.
