“They know your fears. Here, women help each other stand, not tear them down. It’s up to you. We have a van outside if you want to meet our team. No one will get close to you. Victoria and Kassie have superb knife skills. Samantha, Avie, and Tess have taken self-defense courses with the team and know how to kill a man. Victoria taught Catherine, too,” Scarlett informed her.
Hannah’s heart pounded in her ears as she realized these women showed up for her.
Victoria crossed her arms and gave her a chin lift. “It may feel scary at first, but you’ll soon find your own courage again.”
“What if I can’t?” she whispered.
“Then we’ll come back and try again tomorrow,” Kassie assured her. “It doesn’t mean you failed. You only need more time.”
“What do you say? Today, we’ll take you to the facility. Tomorrow, you can choose where you want to go,” Scarlett encouraged her.
What did she want to see? Her mind flipped through ideas like pages in a book until it landed on the two things she wanted the most. She wished to watch Cole train the dogs and see his cabin in the woods. Hannah wanted to lie in the hammock and see the stars and the moon.
“I’ll try,” she said, nervously licking her lips. Her hands clenched into fists as Catherine produced a coat and hat for her to wear. Gabby held it while she put her arms inside the sleeves. Tess handed her a pair of light gloves.
“Since you haven’t ventured outside in a while, we wanted you warm until your body temperature adjusts,” Kassie explained.
“Remember, Hannah, you always have a choice,” Victoria reminded her. “You only need to say the words, and we’ll leave immediately.”
She nodded, afraid if she spoke, it might show her cowardice.
Tess and Gabby led the way, followed by Samantha and Victoria. Claire and Kassie paused outside, giving Hannah a moment to decide. Her heart raced as her anxiety grew. Slowly, she slid her foot past the entrance and both women took her hands, lending her strength. She took a deep breath and cautiously took another step. Staff stopped, surprised at seeing her outside her room. The feeling of everyone watching her made her skin crawl, but she took another step, feeling Catherine and Scarlett flanking her. They made quite an impression as they glided by the other patients. Glancing back at the room she used as a refuge, she debated whether to run back to the safety, she knew.
Scarlett smiled. “The first steps always seem the hardest, but they become easier the more you take.”
Hannah swallowed and scanned the women’s faces. They didn’t seem upset at her momentary change of heart.
“It’s all right if you’re not ready yet. We’ll keep trying until you’re ready,” Claire encouraged.
Their steady power and encouragement gave her the will to press on. She made it past the first unit, still holding her breath. Something crashed to the floor, sending her into panic. The women stepped closer.
“One of the teens dropped a lunch tray,” Samantha explained softly.
She nodded, acknowledging she heard the explanation. It didn’t stop her stomach from plummeting. Her steps grew slower as she spied the glass doors at the entrance of the hospital.
The women didn’t rush her when she stopped. Her chest refused to allow air into her lungs as they drew closer to the outside.
“Remember to breathe in through your nose and out through your mouth,” Kassie gently reminded her.
“I need a minute,” she whispered.
“Take all the time you need,” Catherine soothed as Tess and Gabby held the double doors open. Victoria and Samantha walked through and smiled at her.
The refreshing scent of the clean mountain air mixed with the cold seemed to welcome her as it whooshed into the entrance.
Gripping Kassie and Claire’s hands, she put one foot in front of the other, concentrating on going forward and not running back.
When she made it outside, the warmth of the sun shone on her face and warmed her from head to toe. They walked to a large van with long seats to accommodate them. Leaves crunched under their feet as they walked together, reminding her she didn’t have to do it alone. The worry and fear seemed to melt away as the women kept their word. No one tried to break their circle, as they became her wall of strength. Victoria sat in the driver’s seat, and Kassie went around the vehicle and slid in beside her. Claire climbed in after her. Scarlett sat behind her and patted her shoulder, congratulating her. Gabby and Catherine filed in. The engine started, startling her at first and then she relaxed. She gazed outside the window, getting her first glimpse of the homey appearing hospital where she spent the last eighteen months. Victoria pulled out of the parking lot and Hannah let out a shaky breath as she gazed at the scenery. Her small window to the outside world didn’t do the mountain view justice.
Scarlett scooted forward. “You doing all right?”
She let go of Kassie’s hand and clutched Scarlett’s. “I’m nervous,” she confessed.
“We’re not leaving your side. The men here won’t harm you. Plus, Cole and Brody will lose their shit if anyone touches you. It seems you captured his dog’s heart. He pouted today because he thought Cole didn’t plan to visit you,” Scarlett told her.
“Awww. Did Cole not want to come?” she asked, feeling the panic rising inside her and a bit of disappointment. She counted on him to help calm her nerves. Hoping he might be there to greet her, she suddenly felt overwhelmed.
“We’re almost there,” Claire soothed. “Of course, Cole mentioned he needed to work with the dogs and planned to bring a dog by the name of Nine to visit you.”
