Page 11 of Stables

But my niece never saw her mother get attacked. My brother loved his wife.

Just as much as he loves his new wife.

My jaw aches from clenching it, biting back the words I want to offer.

White knight.

Why can’t I just save one?

“The horses are on plenty of pasture. I just have to make sure the waterers are working. I’ll be fine, I promise.” Charlotte gives a lopsided smile past her swollen lips to her friend.

“Sheriff Rowland is here to make a statement.” I interrupt their banter. “Do you have any questions before I send him in?”

Charlotte turns, her uninjured eye looks me up and down before she shakes her head. “Thank you, doctor,” she says quietly.

I stand up, but stop before leaving. “If you think of any questions later, feel free to call the clinic.”

My chest burns from holding in the feeling of futility.

There needs to be a band of vigilantes, riding across the countryside, doling out justice. It’s so damn frustrating seeing people get victimized over and over.

“All set, Dix?” Wade turns and flattens his hat until it’s down over his eyes.

When I nod, he takes a deep breath and pushes past me to talk to Charlotte.

“Doc?” Maggie starts to talk to me, but I ignore her and stalk into the closet I call an office.

Shutting the door, I lean against it until the back of my head hits the thin wood panel.

Why do I feel like I’m treading water, but on the verge of drowning?

Chapter 3

Char

“I promise, I’ll befine.” My arms wrap around Libby. She might be taller than me, but I can still reach.

“I can send Devon over if you need help?” Her lower lip sticks out. “I won’t be able to make it back up until tomorrow afternoon. Unless you want me to show up covered in cow shit.” She wrinkles her nose.

“Please, don’t send your brother. He always tries to hit on me and I feel bad every time I tell him ‘no’.” I’d roll my eyes, but it makes my face hurt.

Her teeth show as she laughs. “Yea, he’s fifteen going on forty in his own head. Okay, fair enough.” She squints and makes a finger pistol at me. “But you better call me. I’ll figure something out.”

Letting out a long breath to fight the pain, I push myself up on the couch. “You already checked on the horses and brought me food. Paisley and I will just watch movies tonight.”

Her smile fades as she watches me. “Did that sheriff ever get back to you and say if he picked up Matt?”

“Not yet.” And I’ve been checking. Constantly.

She glances over at Paisley in her playpen next to me, then drops her voice. “I’m gonna go grab your pistol out of the bedroom so you have it close by.”

Just the thought of Matt coming back makes my stomach twist. “Thank you,” I whisper. All I can hope is that he’s going through one of his regretful stages today, if he isn’t already in jail.

It was like that when we were married. A slow escalation until he’d explode. Then when I thought I’d had enough and was going to leave him, he’d shower me with gifts for weeks afterward.

But the anger grew worse each time. Every tirade would push a little further.

I can’t believe I thought I loved him.

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