“Where’s the other shit bag?” I ask Hawk as he approaches my side.
“Fire and rescue had to take him to County,” he says, referring to the hospital about forty minutes away. “He had a nasty animal attack wound.”
I don’t even need to think about it or consider any other possibilities.Velvet.
“Don’t worry. He’s cuffed to the stretcher, and as soon as he’s stitched up, he’s getting sent back to Boise,” Hawk concludes,pulling me back out of my musings. “Might want to grab your girl.” He tips his chin in the direction of the cruiser, and I look over to see Molly’s hand on the door frame, actually leaning in.
“Say it, you pathetic excuse for a piece of shit!” she screams to a scared shitless Riley, who just keeps frantically nodding as I come up behind her.
“Baby,” I take hold of her waist from behind and gently pull her back, “I don’t think he’s going near any land anytime soon.” I lead her away and lift her, carrying her the last few feet to the ambulance, and set her on the rear step. “I want you checked out,” I inform her.
She sits dutifully, and a medic wastes no time getting a blood pressure cuff on her and runs through a set of vitals.
“With the concussion, we need to get you to an emergency doc,” the EMT says. “So we need to transport you to the hospital Ms—” He looks to Molly.
“Owens.” She confidently offers the name, and my heart collapses against my ribcage. “And wait,” she says looking at me. She reaches up with both hands, takes hold of my face, and brings me close., resting her forehead against mine. “I love you too,” she tells me.
I close my eyes briefly, just soaking in the moment for however long it lasts. Then I say, “You love me,” and my brow crinkles against hers.
She nods. “You told me you loved me in the woods. I don’t know if you meant it or if you were just?—”
“I meant it with every fiber of my being,” I say.
“Well, I love you too.” She pulls back just enough to show me her eyes, as if she wants me to see the proof of her love in them. “Will you come with me?”
“Like I was going to let them take you without me.”
36
MOLLY
The newly installed security camera reveals a car I recognize coming down the dirt road. So by the time Karla sets foot on the front porch, I’m already almost to the door. My ankle proved to be a bad sprain, and I’ve been more than willing to take the last few days off work to rest and ice it. My limp is barely there now, though I’m still careful on the joint.
When I swing the door open, Karla stands on the other side, looking lost and beside herself.
Immediately, my shoulders slump with worry. “Karla? What’s wrong?” I reach out a hand to usher her inside.
Instead, she walks into me, wrapping her arms around my frame. “Oh God, Molly, I’m so sorry,” she whispers into my shoulder.
“For what?” I ask, giving her back a soothing rub with my palm before pulling away to look at her.
“That this happened to you.” She sniffs as I shut the door.
I let out a sigh. Her words are not the first condolences I’ve received about my adventure in the woods, but she’s the first person besides Wolf to be taking it so heavily. Her shoulderspractically sag with whatever is on her heart as I lead her further into the house.
“Let’s make some tea,” I decide, skipping the pleasantries of offering. I fill the kettle and get it warming on the stove as she sits at the island. “You know, I’m really okay,” I assure her as I grab two mugs. I take a quick glance out to the back yard where Wolf pushes a wheelbarrow of freshly chopped logs to the firepit on the back deck. The storm offered us some downed trees that he took his recent frustrations out on, and the fire pit didn’t take long either.
“I know, I’m sure you are okay.” Karla’s voice is still shaky as she sets her purse down on the floor near her stool. “I just keep thinking about you…out there all alone…in the middle of a thunderstorm with no shelter. I was so happy and proud of you for powering through it, but I felt so terrible that you had to.” Her eyes start to water, and I reach across the counter, taking her hand and squeezing it between my fingers. “And I know it’s pointless and destructive, but I can’t help but think of what could’ve happened if you hadn’t been so strong.” A tear falls as she sniffs, and I release her hand to go in search of a box of tissues. I settle for a paper towel that I tear off the roll and hand to her as the kettle whistles.
I quickly drop a couple of tea bags in the mugs and pour the water in them. When I have milk and sugar out on the island, I hurriedly take a seat next to Karla. In this moment, she’s the one who needs someone.
“I’m here to tell you something I should’ve told you long ago—maybe.” She cuts herself off as her brow furrows. Her eyes flit to the side, and for a moment she looks lost. “I don’t know how much it would’ve helped, but I think after what happened, you should know.”
I nod softly. “Okay. Go ahead but take your time.”
She wraps a hand around her hot mug but doesn’t take a sip or even lift it. She looks more like she’s trying to steady herself as she draws in a long breath before speaking. “Molly, you know my relationship with your grandmother goes beyond being the family lawyer, don’t you?”
I nod. “You’ve always been a close family friend. It’s why she trusted you.”
