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When they finally broke apart, Miss Adeline held her at arm’s length.
“I’m okay,” Pepper whispered. “Looks like they are too.” She pointed at the dogs with her chin.
“Don’t ever scare me like that again.” Miss Adeline shook Pepper.
“I don’t plan to.”
Beau glided over, apparently giving them all the time together she could stand. She yanked Pepper in for a hug. “What happened?”
“Who did this?” Lincoln asked.
She’d yet to look at me.
I wanted to take her in my arms. Feel that she was safe andheredespite that I could see she was.
There seemed to be a chasm between us. One that was palpable. One that I wanted to erase.
“Are you hurt?” I asked hoarsely.
She shook her head, but still she refused to look in my direction.
“What happened?” Beau asked again, this time more gently and less urgent.
Pepper squeezed Miss Adeline’s hands. “How did you find them?”
Naturally, her first concern was the dogs. It always was. That was one of the reasons I admired her so much.
“They showed up back here. Without you.” Miss Adeline spoke quietly. There was almost a silent question at the end of her statement. The one Beau had already asked twice.
“They tried—” Pepper’s voice caught, like she didn’t want to think about what had led us to this point.
“Should we call the authorities?” Lincoln asked, phone in hand at the ready.
“No,” she answered quickly. She stooped once more to pet Sadie. Her comfort crutch. “I appreciate all of you being here, but I’m exhausted.”
“Of course, you are,” Miss Adeline said before any of us could protest.
Part of me wanted Pepper to get the rest and recovery she needed. The other part was desperate for answers.
I glanced at Lincoln, who shook his head.Don’t push it.He didn’t have to say it. I understood completely.
“Can I make you some tea?” Beau asked. She didn’t get the message to let Pepper be.
“No. Thank you, though. All of you.” Her slight smile was tired but genuine.
“I’ll walk you up.”
Finally, her eyes met mine. “I’m good.”
I didn’t want to let her out of my sight. “I’m not.”
She released a long breath of acceptance and moved toward the stairs.
“Rest well. We’ll be here when you need us,” Beau called.
Pepper turned and nodded.
We were quiet as we trudged up the steps. Sadie, Muffy, and Ash were right with us, their nails clicking on the hardwood.
