A smile stretched my face. “I have a family.”
Liam brushed his mouth against mine. “Now and forever.”
* * *
THREE WEEKS LATER
“Thank you for continuing to come out to the ranch and working with me here,” I said to the gray-haired woman in her sixties at my side.
Susan stroked Phoenix’s neck. “It’s my pleasure. Working alongside these mustangs is a true gift.”
I smiled at my therapist. Susan was the gift. Sarah had brought her over to the guest cabin one afternoon not long after I had been released from the hospital. Susan was a friend of Sarah’s, a therapist who specialized in equine therapy. I’d never known that therapy involving horses was a thing.
Susan was kind, incredibly gentle, and had an air about her that resonated with me. She had offered to come and spend time with the mustangs and me whenever I wanted. I took her up on the offer immediately.
I wasn’t in denial. I knew I had a hell of a lot of things I needed to process. Trauma that had begun long before I took Garrett’s life. I’d met with Susan every day for that first week, and then every other the next. Now, we were settling into a twice a week schedule that we’d keep for the foreseeable future. She’d also connected me with a support group I’d attended for the first time the night before.
My bruises were almost faded, but my mind, my soul, they’d take a little longer to heal. There had been what felt like unending questions from police officers, and while Walker had tried to shield me as much as possible, there was only so much he could do. The police in DC had been able to put more of the puzzle pieces together, including finding evidence that led them to the place where Bethany had been buried. I hoped finding her had given her parents a measure of peace.
I shuddered against the breeze. I just needed time. Time and the people I loved. Thankfully, I had both, and everyone in my life was incredibly patient and supportive. I’d even reconnected with Gena. We’d spent an entire two-hour phone call alternating between crying and laughing, and she was already planning a trip to come and see me. I couldn’t wait.
Susan inclined her head to the side. “Looks like your young man is ready for you.”
I turned to see Liam sitting on our boulder about fifty yards away, the most patient person of all. He was just like that rock, a steady source of strength that I could always lean on. He held me at night when the nightmares gripped me, stayed up with me if I couldn’t sleep, always listened, and never pushed. I smiled in his direction.
Susan chuckled. “He’s a handsome devil, that’s for sure.”
I laughed. “Don’t tell him that, it’ll go to his head.”
Susan stepped away from Phoenix. “I’ll try to refrain. See you on Friday?”
“Same time, same place.” I scratched between Phoenix’s ears as Susan headed up the hill with a wave to Liam. I bent my forehead to Phee’s. “Thanks, girl.” Phoenix had been alarmed the first time she saw me after I got out of the hospital. It was as though she’d known I’d been hurt. She’d circled me and wouldn’t let Liam or Jensen near me for a good hour. But, eventually, she’d calmed, trusting that I was okay. Safe. Working with Susan was healing us both.
I kissed the mare’s muzzle. “I’ll be back tomorrow.” Phoenix whinnied and followed me as I walked towards Liam. The fading sun picked up the lighter tones in his hair. God, he was handsome. My body warmed with comfort and the first licks of desire. “Hey,” I called as I approached.
“Hey.” He patted the spot next to him on the rock, and I sat. “Good session?”
I burrowed into Liam’s side, and he wrapped an arm around me. “Really good.”
He brushed his lips over my temple in that spot that was only his. “I’m glad.” We sat in silence for a while, just watching the sun sink lower in the sky. “I wanted to ask you something.”
“Ask away.”
Liam toyed with a strand of my hair. “You can say no if it’s too soon.”
I straightened so that I could get a better look at his face. Liam sounded…nervous. “What is it?”
“Will you move in with me?”
My eyes widened a bit. I’d been staying with Liam at the guest cabin since my kidnapping, but the majority of my belongings were still at my apartment at the Kettle. I bit my lip. “Can I ask you one thing before I answer?”
Liam tucked a strand of hair behind my ear. “Anything.”
I took a deep breath. “Why are you asking?”
Surprise lit Liam’s eyes. “Because I love you. And I know you’re just about physically healed.” He looked out at the view in front of us. “I don’t want you to go back to the apartment.” He looked back at me and smiled. “Or, if you do, take me with you.”
I grinned, and my heart flip-flopped in my chest. God, I loved this man. “Then, yes, I’d love to move in with you.”
