“Stay with me,” Cole murmured as Brody whined. Nine placed her head in her lap, willing her to touch her, feel her.
“Hannah, we’re concerned for you,” her mom pleaded. “Why did you stop taking our phone calls? Why did you remove us from your care plan? This doesn’t seem like you.”
“Mrs. Bailey, Hannah has progressed beyond our expectations,” Claire interjected. “I’ve evaluated her myself and found her of sound mind. She doesn’t need anyone to manage her healthcare other than herself. We encourage our patients to participate in daily activities such as getting a job, volunteering, and living independently.”
“Hell, she can barely string two words together—” her father began when the door opened.
Scarlett entered the room and Ty led her to a seat. Each man from Serenity Securities filed inside. Their presence filled the room as their shoulders touched. Leo closed the door and leaned against it. “We heard one of our own needed backup. What can we help you with, sir?”
“We’ve come to take our daughter home,” Conrad blustered.
Hannah glanced at each man. They all crossed their arms and appeared intimidating, yet to her, they resembled giant teddy bears. She wanted to get up and hug each one of them.
“I’m afraid your daughter signed a contract to work for me. I’m not inclined to let my chief supply clerk go,” Leo said firmly. “As you know, she’s one of the best and I refuse to spend another year searching for someone with her talent.”
“Do you think you can intimidate me with your fancy lawyer? She can’t be held responsible if she’s declared incompetent,” her father spat.
Hannah sucked in her breath and Cole clutched her hand. She rose slowly from her seat. Her body shook with rage. Her gaze went around the room. Shadow sent her a chin lift. Patch gave her a thumbs-up. Ragu winked. Saint nodded. Knight narrowed his eyes and flicked his head toward her father. Scarlett stood, despite her migraine, sending her message of support. Taco scratched his scruff, secretly giving her dad the finger. Whiskey recrossed his arms, ready to fight. Leo silently sent her his strength. She finally gazed at Cole, who cupped her cheek. The heat radiated to her chest, where she found the tiny kernel of courage.
“If you intend to hire a lawyer, be prepared for the fight of your life,” she seethed. “I’m staying here to heal. I’m sorry I let you down, but for once, I’m doing this for me. Mom, I hope you understand.”
Her mother sent her a smile through her tears. Her dad’s face turned beet red as she turned around and walked out with herteam. The walls disappeared and the fog drifted away. For once, she saw her life without the constraints of her father’s voice in her head. Hannah wanted the life Serenity offered her. She wished to play jokes on the men, play Bingo with the seniors, and gab with her new friends. Most of all, she wanted… Cole.
CHAPTER 31
Claire Meyers satin her office on Sunday, debating how to handle the situation with Hannah and her parents. Her patient needed support, and Claire didn’t want to see her backslide. Picking up her phone, she dialed Brenda Bailey’s number.
“Hello, Dr. Meyers. How’s Hannah?” Brenda answered, her worried voice coming over the line.
“As you know, I can’t discuss her medical since you’re no longer her medical power of attorney. I’m calling because I wanted to check on you.”
“I don’t know what to say,” Mrs. Bailey confessed. “It’s such a lovely miracle to see Hannah socializing and working. Things got out of hand, and I’m afraid she won’t ever speak to us again.”
“I think Hannah wants you to understand she’s healing here and it’s important to her,” Claire said gently. “I know you must feel disappointed Hannah’s not returning home, but as you can see, she’s making progress.”
“Yes, I’m extremely relieved to see it,” Hannah’s mom agreed.
“I don’t want to return home with her thinking we don’t want the best for her. Hannah’s our only daughter and our world.”
“May I make a suggestion?” Claire asked.
“Yes, please do,” Brenda said, sounding almost like she pleaded for someone to help them.
“Why don’t you extend your stay a bit longer? Kassie can arrange for you to stay at the bed and breakfast. Let things calm down and give all of you time to cope with the changes she’s gone through.”
“I don’t know, Hannah seemed extremely upset with us. It’s not how we envisioned greeting her after all this time,” Brenda said, almost in tears.
“I know things got heated, but it might give you a few days to smooth things over for all of you,” Claire encouraged.
“I’ll convince Conrad to change our flights. He’s upset about this whole mess, too. Can you please get a message to Hannah, letting her know we’d love to meet her for dinner and talk this out?”
“I’ll call her as soon as we get off the phone,” Claire assured her.
“Thank you, Dr. Meyers. I know it doesn’t seem like it, but we appreciate all the care you and Kassie have given our daughter,” Brenda said gratefully.
“I’m here to assist you and Hannah. Have a good day, Mrs. Bailey,” Claire said, feeling a bit relieved they didn’t plan to fly home immediately.
Hanging up the call, she then dialed Hannah’s phone.
