“I was scared,” I admitted.
Her arms tightened.
“So was I.”
“I thought…”
The words stopped.
I didn’t say them.
Couldn’t.
I thought I was too late.
I thought Gerald had hurt her.
I thought I would walk into that house and find?—
Sadie pulled back.
Put her hands on my face.
Her eyes were wet.
But steady.
“I’m here.”
I closed my eyes.
Pressed my forehead against hers.
“You’re here.”
“Yes.”
“And he’s gone.”
“Yes.”
My throat tightened.
She gave me a tiny smile.
“Then maybe we can stop letting him take up all the room.”
I looked at her.
Really looked.
At the woman who had been terrified.
Who had still stood up.
Who had still kissed me in the middle of a pasture.
Who had survived every ugly thing Gerald tried to throw at her.
