Page 17 of Love in the Wild

The more Hadley picked at her food, the more she was sure Thea needed a friend. It was a dangerous situation, but Hadley couldn’t sit around knowing Thea was alone.

She wasn’t truly alone. Brett was with her.

Hadley pulled her phone out of her pocket and texted Brett.

Hadley: How is Thea? Do you need anything?

Brett: She’s doing better. Can I call you in ten?

Hadley sent back a quick yes and tucked her phone into her pocket. She stood with her plate and headed toward the trash. “I guess I need to see if Jess needs help at the stables. Let me know when Everly and Linda are available to talk.”

“Will do,” Cheyenne said with a wave over her shoulder.

Instead of going directly to the stables, Hadley sat in her car until Brett called. Without any idea what he wanted to talk about, she wanted to have the conversation without an audience.

“Hey. How are ya?” Hadley answered the call.

“Been better. I haven’t slept much since we got here, so I’m runnin’ on fumes.”

“What do you need?”

“It’s kind of a big thing to ask, so feel free to say no.”

“Just spit it out,” Hadley demanded.

“Thea has been living in Alabama for the last five years. Basically, hiding from her family. She’ll be released tomorrow, but she can’t fly yet. I don’t think she can take a road trip either since her leg is so swollen.” Brett sighed. “Basically, she needs a place to stay–hidden–until she heals enough to get back to Alabama.”

“She can stay with me.”

The words just came out. Hadley didn’t even take a second to think about her response. She’d held hands with her friends half an hour ago and asked the Lord to let her know how to help.

This was how she was meant to help. She knew it in her bones.

“There’s more you need to know before you make a decision.”

“I’d love to hear it, but if Thea needs a place to stay, she’s welcome at my cabin.”

Brett was silent for a moment. “I knew you’d say that, but I still have to tell you what’s going on.”

“Then spit it out.”

“Long story short. Mine and Thea’s families hate each other. There were some murders a few years ago. I was a suspect in the murder of her dad, but I didn’t do it. My uncle, Mark, was found guilty, and he’s still in prison.”

Hadley expected that part of the story from what she’d heard at supper, and surely there was plenty more. “What part did Thea have in it?”

“None. She’s an awesome woman, and she couldn’t hurt a fly. She didn’t deserve any of this.”

“Who did this to her?”

“Probably her uncle and cousin, if I had my guess. That’s what her brother thinks too.”

“Thea has a brother? Is he there with her?” Hadley asked.

“He’s been in and out when he can get away from work. I’m pretty sure he can be trusted, at least when it comes to taking care of Thea. He wouldn’t hurt her, but the rest of them definitely would.”

At least Thea had someone. That was a balm to Hadley’s aching heart.

“When will she be here?”

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