"Your brain needed to protect you. The doctor said it's normal after trauma."
She processed that, then noticed the guitar. "Is that... that's not mine."
"Clay brought it. Bought it at the rodeo last weekend because he thought you might want one without memories attached. When you're ready."
Her eyes filled with tears. "Your family... they don't even know me."
"They know you're important to me. And now you're important to them too."
"I remember pieces. The shower. You seeing..." She trailed off, then met my eyes. "You were so angry. When you saw the bruises."
"I still am," I admitted. "But you were right. You need me here, not lost in rage."
"Sophia... she was so gentle. Like a real nurse."
"She is a real nurse. A damn good one. Said your vitals are strong, you're healing well."
She was quiet for a moment, taking in the soft music, the morning light, the safety of this place. "I'm hungry. Like, really hungry."
I couldn't help but laugh, relief making me lightheaded. "Maggie will be thrilled. She's been cooking for an army."
"Lee?" She squeezed my hand. "What happens now?"
"Whatever you need to happen. You're safe here, Steph. For as long as you need."
She nodded, then carefully sat up. The bruises were fading now, green and yellow instead of purple and black. Still there, but not as angry. Not as fresh.
"I want to meet them properly," she said. "Your family. When I'm not unconscious or crying or falling apart."
"They'd like that. They've been taking shifts, making sure we have everything we need."
"Ivy was here. I remember her voice. She said she understood."
"She does. Her old man was violent.”
A small smile crossed her face — the first real one I’d seen since LA. “I’d… like to be her friend,” she said softly. “I haven’t felt this safe in a long time.”
“You already are,” I told her. “Have been since the moment I brought you home.”
Her smile widened a little more, and I knew she was coming back. Slowly, carefully, but she was coming back. The music played softly in the background, the morning light painted everything gold, and for the first time in five days, I felt like I could breathe.
Everything else—the investigation, the reckoning, the absolute destruction I was going to rain down on everyone who'd failed her—all of that could wait.
Right now, Stephy was safe, she was healing, and she was home.
That was enough.
Chapter 7
Stephanie
I woke up feeling human for the first time since LA.
Not normal—God, not that. But solid. Present. Like the version of myself who had been floating somewhere outside my body the last couple of days finally stepped back inside and shut the door behind her.
The last five days replayed in my mind in fragments:
Louisa’s soft hands rubbing circles on my back. Sophia curling up beside me until my breathing matched hers. Owen sitting nearby, silent but steady, like a wall that nothing bad could get through. Maggie fussing with blankets and muttering threats about castrating stalkers. Ivy talking quietly about cattle and Wyatt and everything, just her steady voice. And Liam—Liam being the anchor I’d always known he was. The only person whose voice could break through the panic. The only person I trusted enough to fall apart around.
