Page 25 of Love in the Wild

Thea sighed. “I know you want to keep me safe, but they know I’m here. I’m sure they know where you live. They keep tabs on all of their enemies.”

“But they can’t get to you here. We upped security not long after they built the wedding chapel and started having public events here,” Brett said.

“It’s still not safe,” Thea whispered. The defeat in her words was hollow and cold.

“Would it be better to get you back to Alabama? There’s a good chance they’d try to follow us,” Brett said.

Thea brushed her hair out of her face with a quick swipe. “I’ve thought about that. I’m sure they have someone watching this place, but I can’t stand the thought of putting anyone else in danger. I need to go. I can’t do this to Hadley.”

“Wait,” Hadley said, holding out her hands and stepping forward. If there was a time to stand firm, it was now. “You can stay. I’m okay with it.”

“I’m not,” Thea said as she attempted to stand.

“No.” Hadley moved around the couch to stand in front of Thea. “You’re still so beat up. It would be hard to ride in a car that far like this, and you’re not released to fly. What if you got in the air and your lung collapsed? I think we need to be vigilant.”

“I could stay here too.”

Hadley froze, waiting to see what Thea would say. Brett could stay. It wouldn’t be an inconvenience to Hadley, and Brett wouldn’t have offered if he wasn’t willing.

“Just during the night,” Brett said. “I think if you stick around the main house or the barn during the day, you’ll always have someone nearby in case something happens. I could sleep on the couch at night and leave first thing in the morning.”

Thea looked down, shaking her head. “That’s–”

“I think that’s a good idea,” Hadley interrupted. Before Thea set her mind to shoot him down, Hadley wanted to get her opinion out in the open.

Thea looked at Hadley. She steeled her features to hide any evidence of the fear tingling under her skin.

“I don’t mind Brett being here. It’d make me feel better about your safety, and it can’t hurt,” Hadley said, lifting her hands in the air.

Brett held his clasped hands to his chest, practically begging as he faced Thea. “I promised to give you space, and I’ll stand by that. You won’t even know I’m here.”

Hadley moved toward her bedroom. She’d said her piece, and now Brett and Thea needed to make the final decision. “I’ll let you two decide. Just know I’m okay with it either way.”

“Thanks,” Thea whispered.

Hadley closed the bedroom door behind her and leaned against it. Closing her eyes, she silently prayed. Brett and Thea needed discernment. Hadley needed strength. The Howards and Pattons needed mending that only God could heal if it was His will.

As tough as Hadley’s childhood had been, it was nothing like what Brett and Thea had faced. They needed a break. They needed space and rest.

A warmth spread through Hadley’s body. Whatever help they needed, she would do it.

The front door closed with a quiet click, and Hadley opened her eyes. She waited a few minutes before peeking her head outside the door.

“You okay?”

Thea squirmed and raised her shoulders where she sat on the couch. “Yeah. Just trying to solve all the problems.”

“No need to rush. They’ll be waiting for all of us in the morning,” Hadley reminded her as she made her way over.

Thea chuckled. “That’s what I’m afraid of. And every morning after that.”

Hadley rested a hand on Thea’s shoulder. “You need rest. It’s been a long day. You’re still healing.”

“I should just go home,” Thea whispered.

“What happens when you get there? Do you have someone to drive you to your follow-up appointments? Do you have someone who can help you shop for groceries?”

“Not really. I have friends, and some of the ladies at church would help, but they’re mostly older. It’s a small church.”

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