HealingHerHeart
AShortStory
by

LauraScott


HealingHerHeart
Book1intheCrystalLakeSeries
ePubEdition
ISBN:978-0-9894139-2-3
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ThankYou

ChapterOne
“Larissa,Iputanewpatientinroomfourforyou,”MerryHaines,theHope
CountyHospitalERchargenurse,calledout.
“Okay.”LarissaBrockmanfinisheddocumentingonherrecentdischargeand
thenpushedawayfromthecomputer.Thehourwaswellpastmidnight,butthe
ERremainedincrediblybusyonthisMemorialDayFridaynight.Orrather,
Saturdaymorning.
Shecrossedovertoroomfourbutthenstoppedabruptlyinthedoorwayas
shesawthefamiliarfaceofherpatient.AnnieHinkle,afifty-year-oldwoman
lookingadecadeolderthansheshould,wasseatedonthegurneycradlingher
rightarmagainstherchest.
No.Notagain.Thetinyhairsliftedonthebackofherneckinalarm.Thiswas
thesecondtimeAnniehadbeenhereoverthepastmonth.Thelasttimewasfor
ablackeyethatshesworewasnotcausedbyherhusband,Kurt’s,fist.
Whatwouldbeherstorythistime?Larissatookadeepbreathandletitout
slowlybeforeenteringtheroom.“Hello,Annie.”
“Hi.”Annie’sgazebarelymethersbeforeskitteringaway.
“Whatdidyoudotoyourarm?”Larissaasked,keepinghervoicegentleas
sheapproached.Shehadthedistinctimpressionthewomanwasontheedgeand
wouldn’thesitatetofleeifcornered.
“Ifelloffthefrontporch—youknowhowklutzyIam.”Annierefusedto
meethergazebutkeptstaringdownatherarmasiftheinjurymighthealitselfif
sheconcentratedhardenough.
“Idon’tthinkyou’reklutzyatall,”Larissamurmured.“Showmewhereit
hurts.”
“Righthere,”Anniesaid,removingherlefthandtorevealadarklymottled
bruiseencirclingherwrist.Larissafeltalittlesicklookingattheinjury,knowing
therewasnopossiblewaythishadhappenedfromafall.Shecouldclearly
envisionaman’slargehandsqueezinghardenoughtocausethis.She’dbe

surprisedifthereweren’tafewbrokenboneshiddenbeneaththehorribly
discoloredskin.
“Okay,I’mgoingtogetyouacoldpackforthat,andI’msurethedoctorwill
wantX-rays,too.”Shekepthervoicecalmwithaneffort.“Doyouneed
somethingforpain?”
Annieliftedhershoulderinahalf-heartedshrug.“Maybeapainpillwould
help.”


Larissanodded,thinkingthepoorwomanneededfarmorethanapainpill.
Shebattedawaveofhelplessnessaside.“Areyouhurtanywhereelse?”she
asked.“Maybeyouhityourhead?Oryourribs?”
“No,justmywrist.”
“Allright,I’mgoingtocheckinwithDr.Allen,andthenI’llberightback.”
“Sure.”Annie’sgazejerkedaway,causingLarissa’sstomachtoknot
painfully.
Sherecognizedthesignsandsymptomsofabuse.Onlytoowell.Dark
memoriesfromthepastthreatenedtooverwhelmher,andshefoughtthemback
withaneffort.Strugglingtokeepheremotionsundercontrol,shegrabbedanice
packfromthesupplyrackandthenwentsearchingforDr.GabeAllen,the
physicianinchargeofthepatientsonherteam.
Hewasonthephonetalkingtotheinpatienthospitalistaboutapatienthe
wantedadmitted.Shehoverednearby,waitinguntilhefinishedhiscall.Hehung
upthephoneandflashedawarmsmile.“Hi,Larissa,what’sup?”
Hissmilewasfartooattractive,aneffectshe’dbeenfightingformonthsnow.
Sofar,shethoughtshewashidingherfeelingsprettywell.“Ineedyouto
examinemypatientinroomfour,”shesaidinasofttoneinavoice.“I’m
convincedshe’sbeingphysicallyabused.”
Gabe’ssmilefaded.“Areyousure?”
She’donlybeenanursehereattheHopeCountyHospitalforsixmonths,but

she’dthoughtshe’dprovedhercompetencebynow.Shescowled.“Trustme,
I’msure.”
Gabegaveatersenod.“Allright,letmefinishupthisinpatientadmission,
andI’llberightover.”
“Thanks.”ShehurriedbackovertoAnnie’sbedside,squeezingthedisposable
icepackbetweenherhandstoactivatethechemicalreactioninside.“Here,place
thisaroundyourwrist,okay?”sheinstructed.“Dr.Allenwillbehereshortly.”
Anniewincedbutdidn’tsayanythingassheplacedthecoldpackoverher
wrist.
Larissastruggledtofindtherightwordsthatmightbreakthroughthe
woman’swallofdenial.“Annie,youdon’thavetoputupwithanyonehurting
you.Wehaveprogramsthatcanhelpkeepyousafe.”
“Noone’shurtingme,”Annieswiftlydenied.“ItoldyouIfellofftheporch.”
Hervoicerosewithindignation,andinstinctively,Larissaknewsheneededto
backofforthewomanmightbolt.
“Okay,I’msorry.Ijustdon’tliketheideaofanyonehurtingyou.”Sheforced
areassuringsmile.“You’resuchanicewoman,andyoucertainlydeservetobe
treatedassuch.Oh,look,herecomesDr.Allennow.”


“Howareyou,Mrs.Hinkle?”heasked.“Iunderstandyoumayhavebroken
yourwrist.”
“Ifellofftheporch,”Anniesaid,repeatingherstorylikeaparrot.
“Hmmm,”Gabemurmuredasheremovedtheicepackfromherwrist.His
eyebrowspulledtogetherinadarkfrownwhenhesawtheextentoftheinjury.
Heprobedtheskingently,hisexpressionserious.“We’regoingtoneedseveral
X-raysofthiswrist,”hesaid.
Larissaswiftlyloggedontothecomputer.“APandlateralviews?”sheasked
assheenteredtheorder.
“Yes.”GabereplacedtheicepackandgaveAnnieasternlook.“Youknow

thisdidn’thappenfromafall,”hesaidbluntly.
“Yes,yes,itdid.”Annie’svoicewasbeginningtosounddesperate.“I’m
klutzyandIfellofftheporch.”
Gabe’sfrustratedgazelockedonLarissa’s,andsheknewexactlywhathewas
thinking.Shegavehimatinynod,acknowledgingtheirdilemma,andthen
turnedtowardAnnie.“Okay,justrelaxfornow.Theradiologytechwillbehere
shortlytotakeyouovertogettheX-rays.Dr.Allen,doyouthinkshecouldhave
adoseofPercocetforthepain?”
“Ofcourse.”
“Great,I’llberightback.”LarissawalkedovertotheautomateddrugdispensingmachineandpunchedinherpasswordalongwithAnnie’snameand
IDnumber.ThePercocetdrawerpoppedopen,andsheremovedonedosebefore
closingitupagain.Whenshespunaround,shenearlybumpedintoGabe.
“Wehavetonotifythesheriff’sdepartment,”hesaidinalowvoice.
“Iknow.”TheWisconsinstatestatuteswereprettyclearregardingcasesof
suspectedabuse.Still,sheknewthatdoingtherightthingcouldalsobackfirein
abigway.“Butyouheardher.There’snowayshe’sgoingtopresscharges
againstherhusband.AndI’mafraidthathe’llonlygetangrieroncethedeputy
questionshim.Whatifhetakesthatangeroutonher?”
Gabethrusthisfingersthroughhisdarkbrownhair.“Youcouldberight,but
whatchoicedowehave?”
“Idon’tknow,”sheadmitted,hatingthefeelingofhelplessness.Thesystem
wassupposedtoworkforvictims,butmoreoftenthannot,itcreatedavicious
cycle,onethatcouldn’tbebrokenunlessthevictimtookastance.Buttoomany
ofthosevictimsdidn’t.“Letmetalktothesocialworkerfirst,okay?”
“Okay,butgivingherpamphletsondomesticviolenceisn’tgoingtohelp,”
Gabesaidwithadarkfrown.“Wehavetocalltheauthorities.”
Shenodded,knowingwithasinkingheartthathewasright.Shecouldonly
hopethatthepolicecouldgetthroughtoAnniebetterthansheandGabehad



beenableto.
SheclosedhereyesandprayedthatAnniewouldn’tendupbackintheER
withinjuriesthatwerefarworsethanablackeyeorabrokenwrist.
Please,Lord,keepAnniesafe!
____________
Gabestaredatthedeputyindisbelief.“You’retellingmethere’snothingyou
cando?”
DeputyArmbrusterhelduphispalmsinahelplessgesture.“Whatdoyou
wantmetosay?IcouldhaulKurtHinkledowntojail,butifshedoesn’tpress
charges,he’llbeoutbymorning.”
Thatcouldn’tberight.“Surelythere’senoughevidencetheretochargehim
withabuseevenwithouthertestimony?”
“Look,maybeheadmitshegrabbedhertoohard,andshejerkedawayand
oops?Lookwhathappened?”Thedeputysighedheavily.“WithoutAnnie
testifyingagainsthim,thiscouldbemadetolooklikesomesortofaccident
ratherthananintentionalactofabuse.Withnopriors,he’llwalk.”
GabesensedLarissabesidehim,andhewasannoyedthathe’drecognizedher
vanillascent.Regardless,hekepthisattentionfocusedontheproblemathand.
Hejustcouldn’tbelievetherewasn’tsomethingthatcouldbedonelegallyto
preventKurtfromhurtinghiswife.Again.
“Whatabouttheblackeyefromafewweeksago?”sheasked.
Gabescowled.“Idon’trememberthat.”
“Youweren’tworkingthatshift,”Larissapointedout.“IwasonwithDr.
Gardener.”
DeputyArmbrusterpursedhislips.“Wecouldmaybearguethatit’sapattern,
butagain,notlikely.Igotablackeyemyselfplayingsoftballwithmygirls.”He
smiledgrimly.“MydaughterElisehasagoodarm.”
Gabeunderstoodwhatthedeputywassaying,butthatdidn’tmeanhehadto
likeit.“Sowhatcanwedo?”
“Look,IcangochatwithKurtifyouwantmeto.Atleasthe’llknowthat

we’reontohimand—”
“No,”Larissainterruptedharshly.“Don’t.”
“What?”Gabeglaredather.“Whynot?”
“Becausehe’llbemadandtakehisangeroutonher,that’swhy.”Larissa
turnedtowardDeputyArmbruster.“Ifyoucan’tarresthim,thenjustleaveit
alone.”
Gabecouldn’tbelievewhathewashearing.Whatwasshedoing?Whywasn’t
Larissastandingupfortheirpatient?“IthinkitwoulddoKurtgoodtoknow


we’reontohim.”
“Why?”Larissaasked,hergreeneyessparkingfire.“Sonexttimehecanhurt
herwherethebruiseswon’tshow?”
What?Hetookastepback.“No,ofcoursenot.”
“Leaveitalone,”shepleaded.“I’lltalktoAnnie,okay?MaybeIcanhelpin
waysthepolicecan’t.”
DeputyArmbrustershrugged.“Okay,letmeknowifanythingchanges.”
“Gabe?Weneedyourhelpoverhere,”Merrycalled.“Thispatient’sbreathing
isgettingworse.”
“Goahead,I’lltalktoAnnie,”Larissasaid.
Reluctantly,henoddedandhurriedovertowhereMerrywasstandingbeside
anotherpatientwhowasclearlyindistress.Thebeepingoxygen-saturation
monitorshowednumbersthatweresteadilydeclining.“Getmeanintubation
traynow.”
Allthoughtsregardinghisotherpatientsvanishedashequicklyfocusedon
savingthisgentleman’slife.Heplacedthebreathingtubeandthenquickly
connectedtheoxygensupply,givinghimseveralslow,deepbreaths.
“O2satupto90percent,”Merryannouncedwithsatisfaction.
Therespiratorytherapistcameovertosecurethetube.Gabekeptaneyeon
theguy’svitalsigns,reassuredthathewasholdinghisown,atleastforthe

moment.“Allright,calluptotheICUandletthemknowwehaveapatientfor
them.”
“Willdo,”Merrypromised.
Gabedidaquickvisualcheckontheotherpatientsunderhiscarebefore
headingbackovertowhereLarissawassittingbesideAnnieHinkle.Anniewas
staringdownatthecasthe’dorderedtobeplacedonherwristafterdetermining
thatindeedshe’dsufferedtwominorfractures.
Whichcouldhaveeasilybeenfarworse.Thegoodnewswasthatshe
wouldn’tneedsurgery.
Thebadnewswasthathe’dhavetodischargeherhome.Backtoherabusive
husband.
Hepausedoutsidethedoorway,listeningasLarissaspokesoftlytoAnnie.
“Here’smynameandphonenumber,”Larissasaid,pressingasmall,folded
pieceofpaperintoAnnie’suninjuredhand.“Callmeifyoufeelafraid,orifyou
justwanttotalk.I’dbehappytohelpinanywayIcan.”
“Thankyou,”Anniewhispered.“Butreally,I’mfine.Justabitklutzy.”
“RememberwhatItoldyou?”Larissaasked.
AnnieslowlyliftedhergazetomeetLarissa’s.Hersoftlyspoken“yes”
soundedalmostlikeanadmission.


“Callmeanytime,”Larissarepeated.
“Iwill.”
Gabestoodthereforalongmoment,wishinghe’dheardtheentire
conversationbetweenthetwowomen.He’dsensedrightfromthestartthat
LarissahadidentifiedwithAnnieonalevelthathecouldn’tpossiblyimagine.
BecauseofherpreviousERexperiences?Orfromsomethingmorepersonal?
Hewassurprisedbytheflashofangeratthethoughtofsomeonehurting
Larissa.
HesignedAnnie’sdischargeorders,unabletogetthethoughtoutofhismind.

Fromthemomenthe’dfirstmetLarissa,they’dconnectedonsomesortof
subliminallevel.Hewasattractedtoher,notjustbecauseofherprettyfaceand
soft,wavy,blondehair.Butbecausetheywerebothextremelydedicatedtotheir
patientsandsharedthesameinterests,likerunning.He’dcaughtsightofher
severaltimeswhenhetooktotherunningtrails,alwaysgivingheranodof
recognitionbutneverstoppingtochat.
He’dhadtoworkhardtokeephisdistancefromher.Romanceandworkdid
notmix,alessonhe’dlearnedthehardway.
He’dcometoCrystalLakeayearago,hispridebatteredandhisreputation
tarnished.Afterayear,he’dgainedtherespecthe’dsodesperatelyneeded.Soon,
hehopedtowinthepositionofmedicaldirectorforemergencymedicine,putting
hispainfulpastawayonceandforall.
Herefusedtoevenconsiderapersonalrelationship,especiallywithoneofthe
nurses.
ButashewatchedLarissagiveAnnieabriefhugandescortheroutthedoor,
hecouldn’thelpwishingthathe’dmetLarissaunderdifferentcircumstances.
Thatshewasn’tanurseworkingintheERwithhim.
Becausehelikedher,fartoomuch.


ChapterTwo
Larissafinishedofftherestofhertwelve-hournightshift,gratefulwhenthe
steadystreamofpatientsslowedtoameretrickle.Betweenherdeepconcerns
overAnnieHinkleandherridiculousawarenessofGabe,shewasphysicallyand
mentallyexhausted.
Outside,shepausedtostareinaweattherisingsunslidingupthehorizonin
theeast.Thebeautifulsighthelpedrestorehersenseofpeace.
Churchserviceswouldbenice,too,eventhoughitwasSaturdaysheknew
CrystalLakeChurchalwaysheldanearlymorningservice.Sheslidintohercar
andheadedinthedirectionofthesmall,beautiful,whitechurchsteepleclearly

visiblebetweentheleavesofthetrees.ShewasgladitwasMemorialDay
weekendasshehadthenexttwodaysoffbeforeshehadtoreturntowork.As
painfulasthetwelve-hourshiftsweretoendure,theextradaysoffwere
wonderful.
Atthestoplight,sheyawnedsowideherjawpopped.Hereyelidsbecame
unbearablyheavy,andshepriedhereyesopenwithaneffort.Maybeitwas
bettertoforgochurchservicesandheadhomesinceshewaslikelytofallasleep
anyway.Herapartmentwasonlyafewmilesaway.Thankfully,shemadeit
homewithoutaproblem.
Inside,shesetheralarmtogooffinfivehours,soshecouldtrytogetbackon
aday-shiftschedule.Theworstpartaboutworkingnightswasswitchingbackto
dayshiftsonherdaysoff.
Whenheralarmblaredfivehourslater,shegroanedandstaggeredoverto
shutitoff.Everycellinherbodycravedmoresleep,butsheforcedherselfto
stayupright.
Acupofcoffeeandalightbreakfasthelpedclearawaythelingeringfog
hoveringalongtheedgesofhermind.Shestaredoutsideatthebrightsunlight.
Whatsheneededwasagoodrushofadrenalin.Shetuggedherrunninggearon,
pulledherwavyhairbackintoaponytailtokeepitoffherneck.Avisorhelped
blocktheharshraysfromthesunassheheadedoutside.
Thefirsthalfmilewasthehardest,butonceshehitherstrideandwoundher
wayalongthejoggingtrail,shadedbytoweringtrees,shefelteveryoneofher
musclesrelaxintoanexhilaratingrhythm.Otherthanbeinginchurch,these
werethetimesshefelttheclosesttoGod,andshesilentlyrecitedaprayerasshe
ran.
Distantsoundsoflaughterwaftedupfromthelake,wherelocalsandtourists


wereenjoyingthewater.Shelivedinasmallapartmentbuildingoutsideoftown
withoutdirectaccesstothelake,althoughbuyingasmallhouseonthewater

wasoneofhergoals.
Maybenextyear,shethoughtwithasmile.She’dcometoCrystalLaketo
escapeabadrelationshipandtogetfarawayfromthehighcrimerateof
Chicago.Thenightthecopsbustedupadrugdealgoingdownintheapartment
acrossthehallfromhershadpushedherovertheedge.
Sofar,sheabsolutelylovedithereinCrystalLake.
Herpeacefulrunwasabruptlyinterruptedbytheharshroarofamotorbike.
Shehuggedthesideofthetrail,peeringoverhershouldertomakesureshesaw
thecyclistbeforehecameuponherunexpectedly.
Thegrowloftheenginebecamelouder,andshestifledasliverofunease.One
wrongmoveonthisdirt-packed,hillytrailcouldresultindisaster.
Themotorbikeabruptlycrestedthehill,headingstraighttowardher.She
leapedoffthetrailtogetoutofharm’sway.Butshelandedoffbalance,herfoot
slippingonlooserocksandbranches.Shewentdownhard.Themotorbike
swervedaroundacurve,thedriverlettingoutaloudwhoop.
“Idiot,”shemuttered,assessingforinjuries.Herkneesandthepalmsofher
handswerescrapedrawfromhertumble,butitcouldhavebeenworse.
Shestood,andherrightanklezingedwithpain.Great.Justwhatsheneeded
—asprainedankleroughlytwoandahalfmilesfromhome.
Thesoundofthemotorbikegrewlouderagain,andshestaredatthetrail,
unabletobelievetheguyhadthenervetocomebackaftertherecklessstunt
he’dpulled.Sureenough,hewasridingdownthetrail,onceagainheaded
straightforher.
Forasplitsecond,shehadthedistinctimpressionthathewaspurposely
tryingtorunherdown.Shescrambledoutoftheway,graspingthetrunkofa
treeforsupportasthemotorbikewhizzedby,soclosethatshecouldfeeltheheat
fromtheengineblastingagainstherlegs.
Sheclungtothetreeforseverallongmoments,afraidthemotorcyclistwas
goingtocomebackforathirdtime.Shesentupasilentprayer,thankingGodfor
hersafety,beforeshefinallyletgoofthetreeandhobbledbackontothetrail.

Shelimpedaspainreverberatedupherlegwitheverystep.Findingathicktree
branch,sheimprovised,usingitasawalkingstick.
Thesoftthudoffootstepsonthetrailmadehertense.Sheforcedherselfto
relax;therewasnoreasonthedriverofthemotorbikewoulddecidetocome
backonfoot.Itwasn’tunusualtopassotherjoggersonthetrail.
Sureenough,arunnercameintoview.Atallman,wearingasweatyorangeTshirtandnavyblueshorts,withearbudstuckedintohisearsblockingoutthe


noise.Personally,shedidn’tgetwhyanyonewouldwanttolistentomusicwhile
runningwhenthepeaceandquietwassomuchmoresoothing.Buttoeachhis
own.
Asthejoggerapproached,shegrimacedwhensherecognizedGabeAllen.
Sheshouldn’thavebeensurprised;she’dpassedhimontherunningtrailsbefore,
andthey’dexchangedbriefgreetingsbeforeheadingtheirseparateways.
Whenhecaughtsightofher,hefrownedandimmediatelysloweddown,
tuggingtheearbudsfromhisears.“Larissa,areyouallright?Whathappened?”
Shewilledherheartratenottojumpashesteppedcloser,concerndarkening
hiswarm,browneyes.Sheclearedherthroatandstroveforalighttone.“Dida
hotshotonamotorbikeflypastyou?”sheaskedwryly.“Becauseheranmeoff
thetrail—twice.”
“Yeah,Isawhim.”Gabedroppeddowntoacrouchtoexaminethescrapeson
herkneesbeforehegentlyproddedherankle.Shesuckedinaswiftbreath,and
heglancedupather.“Thislookslikeabadsprain.”
“Thanksforthediagnosis,doc,”shesaidlightly.“IrealizeI’mjustanurse,
butIkindafiguredthatoutallbymyself.”
Gabedidn’ttakeoffensebutsentheralopsidedsmile.“Youshouldprobably
getanMRItoruleoutligamentdamage.”
Sheshrugged.“Yeah,butIcan’tdothatuntiltheswellinggoesdown,
anyway,right?”
“Right.You’llgetabetterpictureifyouwaitafewdays,”heagreed,risingto

hisfeet.“Comeon,leanonme,andI’llhelpyougethome.”
“What?”Hisofferwassounexpectedshenearlylostherbalance.Thelast
thingsheneededwastocozyuptoGabefortwoandahalflongmiles.“There’s
noneedforyoutocutyourrunshortbecauseofme.Ihavemytrustywalking
stick.I’llbefine.”
“Don’tberidiculous.I’mnotleavingyouherelikethis.Leaningonmeisway
betterthanusingastick,andmyplaceisn’tthatfar,justamileandaquarter
fromhere.”
Amileandaquarterstillseemedlikealongway,butitwasbetterthangoing
allthewaytoherapartment.Shereluctantlynodded.“Allright.ButI’mhotand
sweaty,”shewarnedashewrappedhisarmfirmlyaroundherwaist.
“Me,too,”hesaideasily,shorteninghisstridetomatchhers.
Theirprogresswasstillawkward,andshewasfartooawareofbeingsoclose
toGabe.“IwishIknewwhothatmotorbikedriverwas,”shemutteredinan
attempttodistractherselffromhisnearness.“I’dreporthimtothepolice.He’sa
menaceonthesetrails.”
“I’mprettysurethatwasTommyHinkle,”Gabesaid.“I’vetakencareofhim


afewtimesintheER.”
“Annie’sson?”Theknowledgealmostmadeherfeelsorryforhim.“Doyou
thinkhisfatherhitshim,too?”
Gabewassilentforseveralmoments.“Actually,Ithinkthekidisprobably
toomuchlikehisfather,”hesaidfinally.“ThelasttimeTommywasintheER
wasbecausehewasunderarrestfordrivingundertheinfluence.Hebraggedthat
hisdadwouldbailhimout,noproblem.Igottheimpressionhisdadletshimdo
whateverhewants.Maybeevenencourageshim.”
Shesighedandshookherhead.“PoorAnnie.I’mgettingthefeelingit’stwo
againstoneinthathousehold.”
“Yeah,I’mafraidso.”Theywalkedalonginsilenceforafewminutes.Then

Gabe’sarmtightenedaroundherwaist,drawinghertoahalt.“There,see
betweenthetrees?That’smyplace.Thinkyoucanmakeitthatfar?”
“Yes,Icanmakeit,”sheassuredhim,eventhoughintruth,herrightankle
stillthrobbedlikecrazy.Nottomention,beingthisclosetohimwaswreaking
havoconherhard-woncontrol.
Larissaknewshecouldn’taffordtoletherguarddownwithGabe.Nomatter
howmuchshewantedto.
____________
Gabegrimlypacedoffthedistancetohisplaceastheymadetheirwayalong
thetrail.Hecouldn’t,ingoodconscience,leaveLarissatohobblealongonher
own,butholdingontoherlikethishadn’tbeenthebrightestideahe’deverhad.
Shefitagainsthissideperfectly,herslightframehidingastrengthhecouldn’t
helpbutadmire.Heranklelookedterrible,butshedidn’twhineorcomplain.In
fact,ifhehadn’tofferedtohelpher,heknewshewouldhavecontinuedonher
waywithoutaskingforassistance.
HehadtoremindhimselfforthetenthtimethatshewasanERnurse,which
meantshewasoff-limits.Permanently.
KnowingthatTommyHinklewastheonewho’drunheroffthetrailmade
himgrithisteethinanger.Larissawasright,thekidwasamenace,buthe
suspectedthattherewouldn’tbemuchthepolicecoulddoaboutitnow.
“Gabe?Issomethingwrong?”Larissaasked.
Heglanceddowninsurprise.“No,why?”
“Yourarmaroundmywaistisgettingtighterandtighter,”sheadmitted.“You
mightwanttolightenupabit.”
Hementallysmackedhimself.“Sorryaboutthat,”hesaid,relaxinghisgrip.“I
wasgettingmadthinkingaboutTommy.How’syourankleholdingup?”
“Justpeachy,”shesaidinawrytone.“I’mtryingtotakeheartinthefactthat


yourhouseisslowlygettingcloser.”

“We’llbetheresoon,andthenyoucanrelax,”hepromised.Hismodest,
wood-sidedA-frameoverlookingthelakewashisprivatesanctuary,andwhile
hewasn’taccustomedtohavingwomenover,itwasn’tasifhecoulddrag
Larissaallthewaytotownonfoot.Heknewshelivedinthesameapartment
complexthatMerryHainesandseveraloftheotherstafflivedinbecausehe’d
overheardthenursescomparingnotesonedayaboutanexceptionallynoisy
neighbor.
“Yourhomelooksveryrustic,”shesaidastheyfinallyapproachedthe
driveway.Onlyninetymorefeettogo.“SomehowIexpectedsomething
more...flashy.”
“Flashy?”Hegraspedhischestasifwounded.“DoIreallylooklikethetype
thatgoesforflashy?”
Shechuckled.“No,butdoctorsgenerallyliveamuchhigherlifestylethanthe
restofus.”
Hehidastabofdisappointmentregardingherobservation.Wasshelikeso
manyoftheothernurses?Theoneswhosettheirsightsonmarryingadoctor?
Andwhentheydidn’tgetwhattheywanted,stoopedsolowastotelllies,not
caringthattheydestroyedaman’sreputation?
“It’ssobeautiful,”shemurmured.“Youmustlovethepeaceandquiet.”
“Ido,”heagreed,refusingtowasteanytimethinkingaboutRebecca.Shewas
outofhislife,forgood.Threemorefeetandtheywereuptohisfrontstoop.
“Canyounavigatethestepallright?OrshouldIcarryyou?”
“Icandoit,”sherespondedquickly.
Heheldthedooropenforher,andshelimpedinside,headingfortheclosest
chair.“Thanks,”shesaidwithasigh.“Feelsgoodtositdownforamoment.I
hatetoaskforanymorefavors,butI’dappreciatearidehome.”
“I’lldriveyouhomeassoonaswecleanupthosewounds.”Didn’tsherealize
therewasbloodoozingoutfromthedirtfilledabrasions?“Sittight,I’llberight
back.”
“Wait,youdon’thaveto—”shebegan,butheignoredher.Hewentto

rummagethroughhisbathroomcabinet,findingeverythingheneeded:dressings,
tape,antibioticointment.Whenhereturned,hediscoveredshe’dmadeherway
intothekitchen.
“Idon’twanttobleedonyourcarpet,”shesaidwithahintofdefensiveness.
“AndIwashedthescrapesonmyhandswithsoapandwater.”
Hesetthesuppliesonthetableandthenwentovertofillupabowlwith
soapywater.Hebroughtitoverandkneltbesideher.“Thismighthurt,”he
warnedashetookasoftwashclothandbegancleaningherknees.


Theabrasionsweren’ttoobad,andshedidn’tsayawordashecleanedthem
up.“What’sthematter?”heaskedwhenhefinishedputtingfreshdressingsin
place.“Didyouthinkameaslydoctorwouldn’tknowhowtodressawound?”
“No,youdidafinejob,”shesaidinalowvoice.Sheavoidedhisgaze.
“Thankssomuch.It’sagoodthingI’moffworkforthenexttwodays.Abitof
restandI’llbeasgoodasnew.”
“Youmightwanttoseeyourdoctor.He’llwriteyouanexcusetostayoff
worklongerifneeded.”
“I’llbefine,”sherepeated.“I’msureyouwanttogetbacktoyourrun,soif
youcouldjustdrivemehome,I’llgetoutofyourhair.”
Shewasactingabitstrange,andhethoughtshemightbehavingmorepain
thanshe’dleton.Heloosenedherrunningshoe.“First,let’swrapupthisankle.”
Theswellinghadn’tgottentoomuchworse,whichwasagoodsignsinceshe’d
beenwalkingonitforthepasttwentyminutes.Maybetherewasn’tanyligament
damage.“Better?”heaskedwhenhe’dfinishedwrappingitsnuggly.
“Much.”Hervoicesoundedstrained.“Thanks.Again.”
Hestaredatherforamoment,tryingtogaugehermood.Herosetohisfeet
andcrossedovertothefridge.Hepulledoutabottleofwaterandhandeditto
her.Aftertakingaswigofhisownwater,hetookabagoffrozenpeasoutofthe
freezer.“Here,usethisasanicepack,”hesaid,drapingthebagoverherankle.

Sheletoutanunexpectedchuckle.“Toofunny.Ihaveabagoffrozenpeas
thatIuseasanicepack,too.”
Hecouldn’thelpbutreturnhersmile.“Ibeteveryrunnerhasabagofpeasin
theirfreezer.”
“Maybe,”sheagreed.Shetookalongdrinkofwaterbeforerecappingthe
bottle.“So,isthereanythingelseyouthinkyouneedtofix,Dr.Allen?Orshould
wegetgoing?”
Hehadtheinsaneurgetooffertomakeherdinnerbutstoppedhimselfjustin
time.“I’lldriveyouhome.Here,leanonme.Mycarisinthegarage.”
“Noproblem.”Sheheldontothepeasandthewaterbottlewithonehandand
heldhimaroundthewaistwiththeother.Itwasashortdistance,buthefoundhe
missedhertouchonceshewassafelytuckedintothepassengerseat.
Larissakeptglancingoutherwindowontheridehome,andhegotthesense
shewasavoidinghimforsomereason.Afterabouttenminutes,hepulledupto
herapartmentcomplex.
Heinsistedonhelpingheruptoherapartmentdespiteherproteststhatshe’d
befine.“Doyouneedanythingelse?”heaskedaftersheunlockedthedoor.
“Nope,butthanksagain.Seeyoulater,”shebarelygotoutbeforesheshutthe
doorfirmlybetweenthem.


Hestaredatthecloseddoorforseverallongsecondsbeforeturningtomake
hiswaybackoutsidetohiscar.Thethoughtthatshe’dbeensoanxioustogetrid
ofhimdidn’tsitwell.
Andmuchlikethewayshe’dinterruptedhisrun—granted,throughnofault
ofherown—sheannoyinglyinfiltratedhisthoughtsfortheremainderoftheday.


ChapterThree
Larissaslidbehindthewheelofhercar,intendingtoattendSundaymorning

churchservices.Howeverusingherrightfoottodriveprovednearlyimpossible.
Afterseveraljerkyattemptsatdrivingwithherleftfoot,sheletoutafrustrated
groan,turnedoffthecar,andawkwardlyclimbedbackoutfrombehindthe
wheel.Nowaywasthatgoingtowork.Shewasmorelikelytohitsomething
thannot.
Shestaredupatthecloudlesssky,fightingawaveofhelplessness.Thisstupid
anklewasgoingtoruinherfewdaysoffworkifshecouldn’tmanagetodrivea
car.Sheproppedherselfagainstthevehicle,enjoyingthecoolbreezeasshetried
tofigureoutwhattodonext.
Lessthanonedayandshewasalreadyheartilysickofbeingstuckinher
apartment.MaybeshecouldmanagetohobbledowntoRose’sCafé?Josie
wouldkeephercompanyatleastforawhile.Therewasnothingthecaféowner
likedmorethangossip.
“Larissa!”
Sheturnedwhensheheardhername,surprisewideninghereyeswhenshe
caughtsightofGabeAllenwalkingtowardher.He’dparkedhiscarafewspaces
downfromhers.
“Hi,Gabe.”Shewasgladthatthistimeshedidn’tsmelllikesweatandwas
dressedinafloweryskirtandamatchingpink,short-sleevedtop.Shetriednotto
fidgetwithherclothing.“Whatareyoudoinghere?”
“Ibroughtoverapairofcrutchesincaseyouneededsomehelpgetting
around.”Hegazedatherattireandliftedhisbrow.“Areyouheadedsomewhere
special?”
Sheblushedandwishedshecouldstopthisridiculousreactiontohim.“I
plannedonattendingchurchservices,butdrivingisapparentlynotanoption.”
Hadhementionedcrutches?Shebrightenedwiththepossibility.“IbetIcould
walktochurch,though,ifyou’reseriousaboutallowingmetoborrowthose
crutches.”ChurchandthenRose’scafé.Muchbetterthansittingaroundand
staringatthefourwallsofherapartment.
“IthinkitwouldbebetterifIdroveyoutochurch,”Gabesaidslowly.

“Crutchwalkingisn’teasyforlongdistances.”
“Oh.”Shewasflabbergastedbyhiswillingnesstotakehertochurchbecause
she’dneverseenhimattendservicesinthepast.“That’sverykind,butIdon’t
wanttotakeyououtofyourway.”


“It’snoproblem.Here,leanonme,andwe’llgetyouovertomycar.”
ShefounditunsettlingtorealizeshewasstandingclosetoGabewithhisarm
anchoredaroundherwaistforthesecondtimeinlessthantwenty-fourhours.
ShehadnoideawhyGodkeptsendingthismanintoherpath,butforrightnow,
shecouldn’tthinkofanexcusenottogoalongwithhisoffer.Otherthanthe
obviousone,thatspendingtimewithGabewasn’tsmart.
Butshebreathedalittleeasierwhenshewassafelyseatedinthepassenger
seatofhiscar.Shewaiteduntilheslidintothedriver’sseatbeforeglancingat
him.“Youknow,Iwouldn’tmindifyoudroppedmeoffatchurchandcame
backinanhourifyoudon’twanttogoinwithme.”
Gabelookedpasther,overhisshoulderashebackedoutoftheparkingspace.
“IsthatapolitewayofsayingI’mnotwelcome?”heasked.
“No!Ofcoursenot.”Shewashorrifiedthathewouldthinkthat.“IguessI
justnevernoticedyouattendingchurchservicesbefore.”
Asmilebloomedacrosshisfeatures.“Isn’titthejobofagoodChristianto
convinceusnon-goerstoattendchurchandtorediscoverourfaith?”heaskedin
ateasingtone.“Atleastthat’swhatmysisteralwaystriestodo.”
SherelaxedafterhearinghissisterwasaChristian.“Yes,you’rerightabout
that.Iwouldloveforyoutocometochurch,butIcan’tforceyoutobelievein
God.Youhavetocometothatrealizationonyourown.”
Gabewassilentforamoment.“Ihavetobehonestwithyou.Ihaven’tbeen
tochurchinwelloverayear.”
Shewonderedwhathadhappenedtocausehislapseinfaith.Andgivenwhat
he’djusttoldher,shehadnoideawhyhe’devenofferedtocomewithherinthe

firstplace.Butshedidn’twanttopryintohispersonallifebyasking.She,better
thananyone,understoodtheneedforprivacy.“Well,Ihavetotellyouthatoutof
allthechurchservicesI’veattendedinmylifetime,PastorJohngivesoneofthe
best,”shesaidlightly.“He’sdowntoearthandyetalwayshelpsreminduswhat
Godwouldwantustodo.MaybeI’mbeingpresumptuous,butIthinkyou’lllike
him.”
Gabemadeanoncommittalnoisebutdidn’tsayanythingmoreashepulled
uptotheparkinglotofthechurch.Shestruggledtogetoutofthecar,which
wasn’teasy,butwithinmoments,Gabewasthere,helpingher.
“Thanks,”shemurmured,hopinghewouldn’tnoticethebreathlessnessinher
tone.
“Staythere,”hetoldher.“I’llgetthecrutches.”
Hepulledthealuminumcrutchesoutofthebackseatandsetthemnexttoher.
“Trythese.Isetthemupforyourheightbasedonmemory,butImighthavethe
measurementswrong.”


Shetookthecrutchesandproppedthembeneathherarmpits,notsurprisedto
discovertheywereperfect.“They’regreat.Thankssomuch.”
“Ibrokemyfootonce,sotrustme,Iknowwhatyou’regoingthrough,”he
confided.“It’snotaseasytocrutchwalkasitlooks.”
Sheflashedhimasmileandmadeherwayovertowardthesidewalkleading
uptothefrontdoorofthechurch.Gabestayedrightbesideher,hishand
hoveringonthesmallofherback,asifhewasworriedshemightfall.
Thereweren’tmanyparishionersinattendanceasitwastheholiday,butthose
whoweretheregreetedherbyname.Shedidn’tknowifsheshouldintroduce
Gabe,andifso,aswhat?Herfriend?Acolleague?Oneofthedoctorsshe
workedwith?Shecouldn’tbringherselftouseanyofthoseoptions,soshe
decidednottosayanythingatall.
Gabewaslikelyregrettinghisoffertobringher,basedontheknowinglooks

beingflashedtheirway.DidGaberealizethepowerofsmall-towngossip?She
couldfeelhercheeksturningredandduckedherhead,hopingnoonewould
notice.
Shetoldherselfnottoworrywhatanyoneelsethought.IfthiswaswhatGabe
neededtobringhimbacktothechurch,thentheminordiscomfortwaswell
worthit.
Closinghereyes,shesentupasmallprayer.Please,Lord,showGabetheway
home.
____________
GabestoodbesideLarissainchurch,wonderingwhyonearthhe’dagreedto
this.She’dgivenhimanout,hadofferedtobedroppedoffandpickedupinan
hourwhentheservicewasover.Honestly,thatwasexactlywhathe’dconsidered
beforeshementionedit.
Buthehadn’ttakenthechancetoskipout.Instead,herehewas,attending
churchinthefirsttimeinoverayear.Hissisterhaddraggedhimtoservices
wheneverpossiblebackinMadison,butaftermovingtoCrystalLake,hehadn’t
bothered.
WhenLarissahadmentionedthatshecouldn’tforcehimtobelieveinGod,
he’drelaxedhisguard.Helovedhissister,Kimberly,butshewasconstantly
preachingathim,tryingtogethimtobuyintoeveryoneofherbeliefs.
Instinctively,themoreshepushed,themorehe’dbackedoff.
Hepickedupthehymnalandfoundtheopeninghymn.Onethinghe’drather
likedaboutthechurchserviceswasthemusic.Itoccurredtohimnowjusthow
muchhe’dmissedit.
Astheorganistbegantoplay,theyrosetotheirfeetandbegantosingalong.


Hisbaritonewasabitrusty,buthesoongotintotherhythm.
HecaughtLarissa’spleasedsmileasshejoinedhiminsingingalong.Herarm
lightlybrushedhis,andhekepthiseyescenteredonthehymnal,pretendingnot

tonotice.
Eventhoughhedid.
Thepastorwasyoungerthanhe’danticipated.Gabehadn’texpectedtoenjoy
theservice,despiteLarissa’sglowingpraiseofPastorJohnGorman,butsince
thethemeofthesermontodaywasforgiveness,hefoundhisattentionrivetedon
thepastor’swords.
PastorJohnpausedforamomentandthenread,“Andwheneveryoustand
praying,ifyouhaveanythingagainstanyone,forgivehim,thatyourFatherin
heavenmayalsoforgiveyouyourtrespasses(Mark11:25).”
Thepassagestruckachorddeepwithin.He’dremainedsoangrywith
Rebeccaafterthewayshe’ddestroyedhisreputationattheUniversityHospital
inMadison.Tellinghisbossandthehospitalleadershipthathe’dsexually
harassedherwhen,infact,shewassimplyupsetbecausehe’dbrokenofftheir
relationship.She’dcosthimhisjob.Nomatterhowmuchhe’dtriedtodenyher
allegations,heknewtherewasnowaytorecoverfromthestigma.
Itwasherwordagainsthis,andhe’dlost.Bigtime.
Shakingoffthepast,hefocusedonthepastor’ssermon.AccordingtoPastor
John,ifhewantedtofindpeace,hefirsthadtocleansehissoul.Andthatmeant
forgivingRebecca.
Couldhereallydothat?Heknewheshould,butsayinganddoingweretwo
differentthings.
Theorganistbegantheclosinghymnbeforehe’devenrealizedtheservice
wasnearlyover.Andhewasevenmoresurprisedthathehadn’tbeenwatching
theclock,thewayheusedto.Infact,he’denjoyedtheservice.
“Thanksforbringingme,Gabe,”Larissasaidsoftly.“ThatwasexactlywhatI
neededthismorning.”
“Mypleasure,”heresponded.“Don’ttellmysister,butIlikedit,too.”
Shelaughed,andthesoundremindedhimofpicnicsatthebeach.Ormaybe
thatwasjustthelasttimehecouldrememberbeinghappy.Oddthathefeltmore
lightheartedandrelaxedaroundLarissa.

“Howwouldyouliketogooutonmyboatthisafternoon?”heoffered.“I
knowthelakewillbebusyconsideringit’stheMemorialDayholiday,butwe
canstillhavefun.”
Herblueeyesglowedwithexcitementandsurprise.“Oh,I’dlovetodothat.
Youhavenoideahowhorribleitissittinginsidetheapartmentwhileeveryone
elseisouthavingagoodtime.”


“Great.Howaboutwegrabsomelunchandthenheadovertomyplace.
Unlessyouneedtogohomefirstforsomereason?”
“No,I’mfine.”Sheblushed.“AndIwasthinkingofstoppingatRose’sCafé,
anyway.”
“Rose’sCaféitis.”Hewasgladshe’dagreedtocomewithhim,eventhough
hewasn’texactlysurewhyhe’dbroughttheideaupinthefirstplace.
Nothinghadchanged.LarissawasstillanurseatHopeCountyHospital,and
hewasstillvyingforthemedicaldirectorposition.Hecouldn’taffordtoget
emotionallyinvolvedwithsomeoneheworkedwith.Yethecouldrelateto
whereshewascomingfrom.Sittingathomealonedidn’tholdalotofappealfor
him,either.
HewouldjusthavetomakesurethatspendingthedaywithLarissawasabout
beingfriendsandnothingmore.
____________
LarissatoldherselfthatbeingoutonGabe’sboatdidn’tmeananything.Even
thoughJosiehadwaggedhereyebrowswhenshe’dnoticedLarissaandGabe
together.Larissatippedherfacetothesunandtriedtocalmherracingheart.
Maybethiswasn’tthebestideashe’deverhad.
Sowhyhadshesaidyes?
Thelogicalanswerwasthatshe’dbeenboredandhadn’twantedtositaround
inherapartment.ButtherealreasonwasthatshelikedGabe.Asaperson,not
justasaphysiciansheworkedwith.

Andshehadn’tlikedamaninareallylongtime.
Forthefirsttime,sherealizedthatshe’dbeenrunningawayfromherpast.As
muchasshelearnedtoloveCrystalLake,thefactofthematterwasthatshe
wouldhaveworkedanywherethatwasn’tChicagoCentral.
Gabewasn’tRolland.She’dmadeonebaddecision,butdidshehavetolive
withthatonebaddecisionforever?Maybeitwastimetoforgiveherself.Wasn’t
thatwhatPastorJohnhadsuggested?
“Ibroughtyouheretorelax,nottobestressedout,”Gabesaidasheslowed
theboat,bankinggentlyaroundacurve.
Shehadn’trealizedthatherdistresshadbeensoevidentandclearedher
features.“Sorryaboutthat.IguessIwaswallowinginthepast.You’rerightthat
beingoutonthewaterlikethisisveryrelaxing.Youmustcomeouthere
wheneveryouhaveadayoff,weatherpermitting.”
“Idon’tcomeoutoftenenough,”headmitted.“Itendtolosemyselfin
runninginstead.”
Shegrinned.“Yes,Iknow.”


Hewassilentforalongmoment.“I’vebeenworkinghardtoletgoofthepast
aswell,”hefinallysaid.“SoIunderstandhowitcancreepuponyouatthe
worsttime.”
Sheliftedabrow,surprisedhe’dadmittedthatmuch.“Weshouldbeableto
letgo,right?Consideringhowniceandpeacefulitishere.”
Henoddedasheglancedaround.“Yeah,nothinglikethecity,that’sforsure.”
Heliftedhisbrow.“It’sabitironicthatwe’rebothrelativelynewtothearea.”
Sherememberedherfirstfewweekshereandsuppressedashudder.“Atleast
youwereaWisconsinite.”She’dheardhe’dmovedherefromMadison.“Icame
fromChicago,andletmetellyou,thatwasahugehurdletoovercome.”
Helaughed.“Icanonlyimagine.”
Shesmiledinspiteofherself.“Thankfully,JulieCrainbefriendedme,and

sinceshegrewuphere,thelocalsfinallystoppedtreatingmelikeanoutsider.”
Juliewasworkingthisweekendorshewouldhavehadsomeonetohangout
with.
SomeoneotherthanGabeAllen.
Notthatshewascomplainingoranything.
“Ibetifweaskedaround,we’dfindmoretransplantresidentsthanthosewho
werebornhere,”Gabeconfided.
Thethoughtofpeoplewhowerebornandraisedheremadeherthinkofpoor
AnnieHinkle.AccordingtoJulie,theHinkleshadbeenhereaslongasshehad.
Hersmilefaded.“Youmightberight,”sheagreed.
Hercellphonerang,surprisingher.Shestaredatthescreenforamoment,
temptedtoletthecallgotovoicemailasshedidn’trecognizethenumber.
Reluctantcuriositycompelledhertopressthegreenbuttontoanswer.“Hello?”
“Larissa?It’sme,Annie.”Thewomanwasspeakingsosoftlyshecould
barelyhearher.
Ashiverofapprehensionrippleddownherspine.“Annie?What’swrong?Are
youokay?”
Therewasaloudcrashfollowedbynothingbutsilence.
Anniehadhungup.


ChapterFour
“WasthatAnnieHinkle?”Gabeasked,everysenseonalert.Whenshe
nodded,hetriedtoremaincalm.“Whathappened?”
Larissa’storturedgazemethis.“Idon’tknow,butIthinkweshouldcallthe
police.”
Hequicklyturnedtheboatbacktowardhispier.“Areyousure?Maybeshe
justdidn’twantanyonetoknowshewascallingyou.”
“Shewastalkingreallysoftly,asifshedidn’twantanyonetohearher.But
thenIheardacrashandthen—nothing.I’mworriedsomethingterriblehas

happenedtoher.”
Heunderstoodwhereshewascomingfrom.ThedarkbruisearoundAnnie’s
wristhadrevealedanuglystorydespiteherclaimsoffallingofftheporch.He’d
seenhisshareofdomesticviolencecaseswhenhe’dbeeninMadison,buthe
couldn’tfigureoutwhythewomendidn’tjustgetout.Heknewbeingavictim
waspartofthecycle,believingtheguywasgoingtochange,thinkingthatnext
timethesamethingwouldn’thappen,butitwasstillfrustrating.
“Call911andsendthedeputiesovertherejustincase.”
HecouldhearLarissaonthephone,speakingtoDeputyThomas,explaining
Annie’sabruptcallandthecrashshe’dheard.Aftershefinished,sheturnedback
towardhim.“Theysaidthey’dsendasquadouttocheckthingsout.”
“That’sgood,”hesaidashepulledupnexttohispier.“Waitformetohelp
you,”hecautioned.Hemadequickworkoftyinguptheboatbeforegivinghera
helpinghand.
Shecrutch-walkedupthefrontlawnatafastpace.Hefollowedclosebehind.
“DoyouknowwhereAnnieandKurtlive?”sheaskedastheyroundedthe
house.
Hehadabadfeelingaboutwherethiswasgoing.“Yes.Theyliveinasmall
houseinthewoods.Theydon’thaveaccesstothelake,buttheirhouseistucked
intothetrees.IthinkKurtlikeshisprivacy.”Privacythatgavehimplentyof
opportunitytohithiswifewithoutanyoneoverhearing.
“Willyoudrivemethere?”
Hedidn’twanttobecausehewasworriedabouthersafety.BothKurtand
Tommycouldbeunpredictable.Yethowcouldherefuse?Ifanything,Larissa
mightbeabletocalmAnniedownifshewasupsetsinceshe’destablisheda
goodrapportwiththepatientduringherlastvisit.
“I’lldriveyouthere,”heagreed.“Butwe’renotgoinginsideuntilthecops


showup.”

Larissalookedlikeshewantedtoprotest,butshedidn’tsayanythingasshe
slidintothepassengerseat.Hetookthecrutches,stuffedthemintheback,and
thenjoggedaroundtothedriver’sside.
“Hurry,”Larissaurged.
Hewasalreadypushingthespeedlimit,buthenudgedthegaspedalabit
more.“TrycallingAnnieback,seeifsheanswers.”
Larissadidashesuggested,butapparentlynooneansweredbecauseshe
droppedthephoneintoherlap.“Idon’tlikeit,”shemurmured.“Something’s
notright.”
Asheapproachedthesouthsideofthelake,heheardthewailofsirens
gettinglouder.Thesquadspedpastthem,kickingupdustandgravel,andhe
couldn’thelpfeelingasenseofrelief.
Hecouldonlyhopeandpraythedeputieshadgottenthereintime.
Whenheapproachedthelong,windingdriveway,hepulledoffonthesideof
theroadandcuttheengine.
“Whatareyoudoing?”sheasked,hertonelacedwithimpatience.“Wehave
tocheckonAnnie.”
“Larissa,thepolicearethere.Wecan’tjustbargeupthedrivewayintothe
middleofwhatcouldbeabadsituation.Forallweknow,Anniecouldbea
hostage.Therecouldbeweaponsinvolved.”Andfromwhathe’dheardabout
Kurt,theguywasanavidhunter,soforsureheownedatleastonegun,ifnot
more.“Let’sjustsithereforaminuteandwait.”
Larissa’sexpressionbetrayedherfrustration,butwhenshebowedherheadto
pray,hereachedovertotakeherhandinhis.“DearLord,weaskthatYouplease
keepAnniesafeinYourcare,”hemurmured.
“Amen,”Larissawhispered.
Larissastaredthroughthewindshield,searchingforsomesignofeitherAnnie
orthepolice.Bothwindowsweredown,too,buttheycouldn’thearanything,
andshewasn’tsureifthatwasagoodthingornot.Atleasttherewasn’tany
shoutingorgunfire.Butwhatifeveryonewasalreadydead?Shecouldn’tbear

thethought.
Usuallyprayerhelpedkeephercalm,butshecouldn’tdenyanacutesenseof
urgency.ShewaspleasedthatGabehadprayedwithher,andifthesituation
wasn’tsotense,shemighthaveaskedhimmoreaboutwhathadcausedhimto
strayfromhisfaith.
Thesoundofmutedvoicesreachedherears,andshegrabbedGabe’shand.
“Didyouhearthat?”shewhispered.


Henodded.“Maybethere’snothingtoworryabout,”hesuggested.
Asmuchasshewantedtobelievethat,sheknewtoowellitwasn’tlikely.
Abusivemendidn’tjustturnoveranewleaf.Theyalwayswantedtoprovethat
theywereincontrol,nomatterwhatittook.Andtheabusewasalwaysthe
victim’sfault.
You’resostupid!Howcouldyoudosomethingsostupid?Whack!Maybenext
time,you’llthinkbeforeyouopenupyourmouth!Smack!
Larissashivereddespitethewarmairasmemoriesofthepastcamerushing
forward.Herstepfatherhadbeathermotheronaregularbasis,butitwasn’tuntil
herstepfatherstartedbeatingLarissathathermotherhadfinallyescaped.
“Hey,what’swrong?”Gabewhispered.“Yousuddenlygotverypale.”
Sheneededtopullherselftogether.“Nothing.I’mfine.”
Thesoundofacarmotorstartledher,andsheheldherbreathuntilthesquad
carcameintoview.Thetwodeputiesinsidelookedgrim.
“Whathappened?”Gabeaskedthroughhisopenwindow.“IsAnnieall
right?”
Thetwodeputiesexchangedalonglook.“Apparentlyeverythingisallright.
Annieclaimssheknockedapotofhotwateroffthestoveandthatherburnsare
superficial.She’srefusingmedicalcare.AndKurthaspromisedtotakecareof
her.”
Larissashookherhead,knowingthattherewaswaymoretothestory.But

whatcouldtheydo?IfAnniewouldn’tcomeforwardtotestifyagainsther
husbandorcomeintogetmedicalcare,theycouldn’ttakeanyactionagainst
him.
“Sorrywebotheredyou,”Gabesaid.
“It’snobother,”DeputyThomassaidwithadarkfrown.“Butitisfrustrating.
Atthemoment,ourhandsaretied.Letusknowifyouhearanythingmore.”
“Thanks,”Larissamurmured,feelingsicktoherstomach.Shedidn’tsay
anythingasGabestartedupthecaranddroveaway.Sheknewitwouldonlybea
matteroftimeuntilAnniewashurtagain.
Theonlyquestionremainingwaswhetherornotshe’dsurvivethenextattack.
____________
GabeglancedoveratLarissa,who’dbeenunusuallyquietduringtheride
backtohisplace.“Howaboutsomesteaksonthegrill?”heoffered.
Hereyebrowsroseinsurprise,andhementallybracedhimselfforrejection.
“Actually,”shesaidslowly,“thatsoundswonderful.”
DespitehisintenttokeepLarissainthefriendshipcategory,hewasthrilled
thatthey’dbespendingtheeveningtogether.HeassumedthatLarissadidn’t