“I was scared, too. And I’ve been scared in the past. But this was different.”
“How?”
“Because this time, someone came for me.” I rested my palm against his cheek. “You.”
He swallowed hard. “I’d do it again. A thousand times.”
I nodded. “I know.”
“I need to take you home.”
“But what about everything here?”
“I’ve already talked to my sisters. They’re going to take care of everything.”
“But—”
“Anna? Sweetheart?”
Startled by the familiar voice, I looked across the grass and saw my mother hurrying toward me, her handbag clutched tightly under one arm, her eyes scanning me with barely restrained worry. She was out of breath by the time she reached us. She was neatly dressed in a simple dress with flat shoes, hair pinned just so, posture too rigid—as if she expected someone to scold her for being here.
“Mama?” I frowned, wondering if my head injury was causing hallucinations.
She reached for my hand but stopped short, her gaze darting nervously toward Chase. “I got here just as thepolice were leaving. I overheard some talk that you were hurt.”
I stood to hug her, Chase instantly supporting me with a helping hand. She stared in dismay as she held my face between her palms. “Oh, sweetheart. Are you okay? What can I do? I have some peppermint oil and arnica back home that might help.”
I squeezed her hands. “I’m okay. The doctor checked me out. I’ll be fine. But what are you doing here? Not that you’re not welcome,” I added hurriedly. “I’m just surprised.”
She gave a stiff nod, eyes wet. “I hope it’s all right that I’m here. I wanted to see what you put together. I could hear some of the music floating up the mountain. It sounded so fun. And, well, I wanted to seeyou.”
“And Dad?”
She gave a slight shake of her head. “He’s at home. I didn’t ask. Just told him I was coming here, but I promised not to stay away too long.”
My mother, always the peacekeeper who rarely stepped out of line, had decided on her own to show up.
“Mama, that’s amazing.”
“I’m not brave like you,” she said. “But I’m trying.”
I felt the sting behind my eyes. I was so proud of her. “Youarebeing brave, Mama. You’re allowed to care about your daughter.”
“I know. And I’m going to set some new ground rules with him. I know him well, and it won’t turn into a fight. It will be better from now on. I promise.”
I believed her. I didn’t know exactly what the future might look like for us, but for now, she came. And that meant everything.
Chapter 33
Chase
Sunday morningsusually started early on the farm. But after last night’s barn dance—and everything that came with it—this one was starting slowly. I’d woken up several times during the night to reassure myself that Anna was okay. The sun was already well up by the time I stirred. Beside me, Anna shifted, her hair a tumble of dark gold across the pillow.
She looked peaceful, despite the bruising on her face that suggested otherwise.
For a few quiet seconds, I let myself just watch her breathe, grateful down to my bones she hadn’t been hurt more seriously.
I almost lost it last night, seeing her beneath Marcus’s boot. That image was seared into my memory—his face twisted in anger and the sound of her whimper as she curled up and awaited the blow. And even now, knowing that Marcus was in jail on assault and battery charges, I still felt unsettled. I kept replaying the scene over and over in my head. Anna had told me not to carry any guilt. I knew it was a lesson she’d learned the hard way.
