Page 205 of Show Me

“Someone attacked me, and they could’ve hurt the baby. I’m not going to let that happen again.”

“Then we take this one step at a time.” Emily reaches for my hand.

“Okay.” I straighten my shoulders.

“Today we breathe.” Her voice is calm enough that I almost believe everything will be okay. “Tomorrow, we make a plan.”

One step at a time. That’s all I can do. Because it’s not just me anymore. And I have to stay safe.

For both of us.

Chapter One Hundred Eight

Ruby

The parking lot is busy as cars pull through and people cross toward the entrance, but my attention catches on every person standing alone, every vehicle idling too long.

I don’t think I’ll stop looking over my shoulder.

Bella pulls the car around while Emily pushes my wheelchair to the curb.

“I can walk.”

“And I’m an EMT who read your discharge papers three times.” She hugs me, then loosens her arms when I flinch. “Shit. Sorry.”

“I’m fine. Just jumpy.”

Bella waits until I’m buckled in before asking, “Still sure about your dad’s?”

“Yes.”

“You could stay with me. Or Emily.”

“Too close to my house.” My hand drifts to my stomach. “I want out of town.”

That ends the argument.

The farther we drive, the more the buildings thin out, giving way to bare fields and winter trees. By the time Bella turns onto Dad’s gravel road, pale sunlight highlights the frozen ground, and the barn comes into view.

“Does he know you’re coming?” Bella asks.

“No.”

She winces. “This should go well.”

Dad must hear the tires on gravel because the front door opens before we’re out of the car. He steps onto the porch in flannel and work boots, confusion disappearing the second he sees my face.

“What the hell happened?” He’s down the steps before I can answer, pulling me carefully into his arms. “Why didn’t you call me?”

“I didn’t want you to worry.”

“A little late for that.”

Bella gives him the short version. Someone attacked me in my yard. There have been notes, vandalism, a break-in. The police are investigating.

Dad’s expression gets darker with every word. “Someone hit my kid in her own yard, and they’re investigating?”

“They don’t know who it is yet.”