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“Oh, she’s a grown-ass woman,” Brooke said. “She doesn’t need to worry about her brother’s opinion.”
“Whoa, hold on a minute.” Laura lifted her palms, trying to keep up with the banter that had laid bare the feelings she thought she’d kept expertly hidden. “The last thing I need to be thinking about is Cade or anyone other than this little bundle in here. I have too much going on right now for my mind to even go to that place.”
“That makes total sense,” Brooke said, shooting Jude a pointed look that kept her quiet. “But I do agree with Jude on one thing. Being here alone isn’t a great option while your assailant is out there.”
All of her earlier ideas crashed back to her. She bit into her thumbnail, debating whether all the possibilities she’d imagined were fanciful dreams or a realistic goal. “You’re right. Being pregnant and alone while some lunatic is out there isn’t a great idea. But I’m not the only person in town with bad things happening. I’m not the only one who is scared and searching for a better future. A future that now seems harrowing and bleak.”
“Oh honey.” Jude squished between her and Brooke and hooked an arm around her shoulder.
“I’m not looking for pity,” she cut in. “I’m just being realistic, while also realizing that as hard as it was to walk away from Isaac, I do have a support system. I have people in my corner who’ve stepped in. What about other women out there who don’t have anyone?”
Brooke frowned. “The county has certain programs for those who need it. Then you have people like Mrs. Collins who are trying to help however they can.”
“What if the food pantry could be more? I’ve spent some time with Mrs. Collins, and she’s confided she wants her home to be a community, a haven, a safe place for those in need. What if we could do that by providing more than food?”
“Like what?” Jude asked.
“Like shelter and safety and a warm place to stay. There are so many empty rooms in that old house. We could make a women’s shelter to help others get on their feet. Offer a helping hand to those who have no one in their lives to stand up for them.” Excitement built in her chest as the words and ideas tumbled out of her mouth.
“That sounds amazing, but also like a lot of work. How could something like that work?” Jude asked.
“By taking it one step at a time,” Brooke said, a smile growing wide. “When I got the idea to start Crossroads Mountain Retreat, I had no idea what I was doing. I just knew I wanted to make a difference. If I stepped back and looked at the big picture, I’d go straight to panic mode.”
“So what did you do?” Laura asked.
“I made a plan then focused on the next step, then the next, then the next.”
“Until you had it figured out?”
Brooke laughed. “I don’t know if I have it figured out now. But the steps got easier, and the picture came more into view every day. All I know is your idea sounds amazing, and if it’s something your gut is telling you to do, then figure out the next step.”
“Are you sure you’re up for something like this?” Jude asked.
Laura nodded. “I am. I need to focus on helping others. I need to do something positive. I think this could be life-changing for me and so many other women. I want to use the pain from my past to create something brighter and more beautiful.”
Tears glimmered in Jude’s eyes. “Then I’ll do anything I can to help.”
“Me, too,” Brooke said. “So. What’s the next step?”
Laura blew out a long breath. “Talking to Mrs. Collins. I want to make some notes, get my thoughts straight so she knows thisis something I’m serious about. I don’t want her to think I’m trying to take advantage of her.”
She reached for her phone to jot down some ideas and the screen lit with an incoming call. An unknown number flashed on the screen. “Hello?”
“Ms. Metcalf, it’s Deputy Owens.”
Her breath caught in her throat. “Do you have news?”
“I do, but not the kind you want. Cade was attacked in his home tonight. He’s at the hospital right now.”
“Oh my God.” She lifted a shaky hand to her mouth. Bile crept up her throat. Cade was hurt. “Thank you for letting me know.”
She hung up and headed for the door. All thoughts except one leaving her head. She had to get to Cade.
10
The nurse in blue scrubs checked the machine monitoring Cade’s vitals then tapped away on the tablet in her hands. The tight line of her mouth and narrowed eyes didn’t give away a damn thing as he laid in the stupid hospital bed, waiting to be released.
“I hope that thing’s telling you to let me leave.” He tried to keep a lightness to his voice, but his words came out clipped.
