Page 24 of Joining Little Jessica

“What kind of problem?” Rowan asked, his tone losing its usual playfulness.

Derek hesitated for a moment, then sighed. “Jessica, your mother showed up at the gate. Not to worry, the guards wouldn’t let her have access, but she’s demanding to see you. She won’t leave.”

All the color drained from Jessica’s face, and she dropped the stuffed piglet she had been holding the entire time. “M-my mom?” Her voice was barely a whisper, her body trembling as she took a step back as if the mere mention of her mother could hurt her.

Sebastian moved to her side in an instant, wrapping a protective arm around her. “You’re safe here, sweetheart. She can’t get to you.”

But Jessica shook her head, her breathing becoming shallow as panic set in. “No, no, no. She can’t be here. She can’t be!” Her voice rose on the last word, the panic clear in the shout.

Tears welled in her eyes, and she shook her head again, harder this time. “You don’t understand. They sent the cops after me last time. When I first came here, my parents—they told the police I was indoctrinated in a cult. They said I was a runaway and that Derek and my Ranch family had brainwashed me and taken advantage of my young naïve mind. I had to talk to the cops and convince them I was here because I wanted to be.”

Jessica didn’t mention those same cops had then become regulars at the Ranch because that wasn’t the point. At the time it had been traumatic, and if it hadn’t been for a very sympathetic Little boy, she’d have lost it completely.

The room fell silent, the weight of her words sinking in. Forrest felt a surge of anger toward her parents—toward anyone who had made her feel unsafe, and unwanted. How could they not see the beauty in her, the strength she had to survive everything they’d put her through?

“Jessie, princess, I’m so sorry,” Rowan said, his voice thick with emotion. “That must have been so scary, but we’re here now, okay? And we won’t let anything happen to you.”

Jessica’s tears spilled over, and she clutched Sebastian’s shirt as if holding on for dear life. “I can’t go back to them. I can’t.”

“Sweetheart, you’re not going anywhere,” Sebastian said firmly, his tone leaving no room for argument. “You’re staying right here, with us.”

Forrest reached up and gently cupped her cheek, wiping away her tears with his thumb. “Jessie, listen to me. You are safe. We won’t let anyone hurt you. Not now, not ever.”

Derek cleared his throat, stepping forward again. “I’ll ensure she’s escorted back to town. She doesn’t have any legal rights over you anymore, Jessie. You’re an adult. Have been for almost a year, and this is your home now.”

Jessica sniffled, nodding slightly but still looking terrified. “I just don’t want to see her.”

“You won’t have to,” Sebastian promised, his voice strong and reassuring. “We’ll handle it.”

Forrest stood up slowly, wrapping his arms around both Jessica and Sebastian, pulling them into a tight embrace. Rowan joined them a moment later, his arms encircling them all.

“You’re not alone in this, babygirl,” Forrest whispered. “We’re your family now.”

At first, Jessica stiffened at the words, and he felt a pang of regret at reminding her of their discussion during lunch the previous day. They didn’t need to make any more verbal promises of staying. They needed to show it to her. After a while, she finally relaxed in their arms again.

For a long moment, they stayed like that, holding her, protecting her from the storm that had threatened to pull her back into her past. Forrest could feel her shaking, but slowly, as they whispered reassurances, her breathing began to even out.

Eventually, Jessica looked up at them, her eyes red and puffy, but filled with gratitude. “Thank you,” she whispered. “I don’t know what I’d have done without you.”

Sebastian kissed the top of her head. “For as long as you’ll have us, you won’t have to find out, sweetheart.”

As Derek left to take care of the situation outside, Forrest glanced around at his friends and Jessica, knowing that no matter what happened, they would face it together. This Ranch was her home now—and they would make sure she never had to feel unsafe and alone again.

CHAPTER 16

Jessica sat on her bed, her legs tucked under her as she stared at the fading light streaming through the window. The session with her Dr. Denten had been... exhausting. She’d known talking about her mother would be hard, but she hadn’t realized how much it would stir up inside her.

She hadn’t wanted to go at first and resisted the idea entirely. Talking about her feelings after the emotional blow of her mother’s unexpected arrival had felt overwhelming, but Forrest had been gentle yet firm in his encouragement.

“Jessie, you’re carrying too much,” he had whispered, his voice hoarse, his hand on her back. “Let someone help. You deserve it.”

As he’d proven time and time again over the past week, his words had calmed the storm raging inside her. So she’d agreed, despite her hesitations, and had spent the last hour unpacking years of tangled emotions with Mrs. Cat. It wasn’t anything she hadn’t discussed before, but the session had still been a rollercoaster. Now, however, sitting in the peaceful quiet of her room, she felt lighter—exhausted but lighter.

The soft creak of the door pulled her from her thoughts, and she turned to see Sadie stepping in with her usual bright smile.

“How’re you doing?” Sadie asked, plopping onto the bed beside her and handing over a juice box. “I know those sessions can be tough on you.”

Jessica took the juice, sipping it slowly before offering a faint smile. “It was rough, but I think it helped.”

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