She bosses grown men around with the confidence of a child raised by a sanctuary owner, loved by an outlaw, and spoiled by an entire mafia family and motorcycle club.
Sabrina’s right beside her, as always.
Two little shadows in boots, two girls who learned too early that the world can be cruel, but somehow still choose kindness every day.
I watch them move from stall to stall, arguing silently with hand gestures because I told them not to shout near the scared animals.
They’re terrible at silence, but I love them for trying.
In front of me, Winter shifts her weight and blows out a warm breath.
I smile and return to brushing through her mane.
She came to us three months ago, all sharp bones and wary eyes. Afraid of ropes. Afraid of men. Afraid of raised hands and sudden movements.
Now she leans into my touch.
Trusting.
Healing.
Not fixed, because I don’t like that word anymore.
Fixed makes it sound like brokenness is something shameful. Like scars mean failure. Like survival only counts if no evidence remains.
Winter will always carry marks from what happened before she came here.
So will I.
My left hand looks different now.
The ring on it catches the morning light as I work the brush gently through Winter’s mane. My wedding ring sits where Maverick placed it, bright and beautiful against skin that will always tell a story.
My left pinky is gone.
Two toes are gone, one from each foot.
The tip of my right index finger is gone.
There are days my balance feels strange. Days the cold still scares me. Days I reach for something and remember all over again that my hand changed.
But I’m here.
I’m alive.
I’m loved by a man who kisses that hand like nothing is missing.
A man who once knelt in front of me and taught me that survival does not have to look untouched to be holy.
The brush slows in my hand.
Across the arena, Thor explodes into motion.
I turn my head just in time to see a flash of black mane, powerful shoulders, and the horse everyone swore would never be ridden, tearing across the sand like thunder given a body.
And on his back is my husband.
Of course.
