Page 168 of Nocere

"Nora loves Caroline…"

"She sees Caroline like you see Sam."

"How?"

"With the right kind of eyes. Caroline has her own pain, and it's not that much different from Sam's. You should ask her sometime."

"Does Nora have a healed heart as well?"

"She does. Ask her, too. Honestly, Rosie, I don't know many women who haven't had to heal from something terrible. So many of us suffer. Jordan and I want to keep our community together, keep up the support and create a safe space for women. That's why we have our parties and events. Jordan did it without me, but as soon as I became a part of it, I never wanted it to stop. People say shitty things about Kari, but her intentions are the same with Wildrose."

"I can see that. I appreciate that you all put in the effort. It helped me, even though I avoid big events."

"We know it's hard for you."

"It's been less hard with Sam in my life…"

Ainsley grinned, her whole face lighting up. "I know."

The landline phone on my desk rang, and both of us stared at it like it would explode any second.

"I've never heard that ring before," said Ainsley and I laughed as I picked it up.

"Hello?"

"Bryant. Someone up at the front here looking for you," said the officer working the intake desk.

"Um...who is it?"

"A woman. She says she's here to see you."

I gripped my chest as my gaze shot to Ainsley's. My insides twisted and I couldn't form words to respond to him. All I could think about was my mother showing up here, freshly released from prison, about to break her order of protection.

"Bryant?"

"Rosie?" called Ainsley and I shook my head, handing her the phone out of sheer panic. "This is Doctor Monson. Who is this?"

"Dispatch. There's a woman here to see Bryant." I heard someone say through the receiver.

"I'll be right there." Ainsley hung up as she stood from her seat. "Stay here."

"N-no. What if—"

"Stay here, Rosie." She pointed at me as she headed to the door, closing it behind her.

I sat at my desk, my hands clasped against my chest as I rolled through the possibilities of what could happen. Every scenario, from epic take-downs to parole violations, to magical reunions. Just the notion of the latter unnerved me, and reminded me of the wishes I talked to Sam about the other day.

Ainsley returned, I had no idea how quickly, with a smile on her face. "You're going to love this visitor."

Her statement only brought more confusion until she stepped aside to usher Sam inside. In work scrubs with no jacket, she strode over to me as I leapt from my chair to hug her.

"Hi, my sweet," she said as she wrapped her arms around me. "Ainsley said I scared you."

"I thought my mother showed up here. Hi, Sami." I squeezed her and she rubbed my back in soft circles. "What are you doing here? Is your mom okay?"

"She's just fine." Sam leaned back to stroke my cheeks before catching me in a swift kiss. "I came to visit you."

"Ainsley and I were just talking—where'd she go?" My brow furrowed as I glanced to the vacant doorway.

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