Page 1 of Jenna's Threatened Sanctuary

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Jenna Simon let out a long, shaky sigh and gripped the edge of the white porcelain sink in the kitchen. As an emergency room doctor, she’d seen her fair share of tough situations. But nothing could prepare her for the travesties of the battered women and children she tended when volunteering at Safe Haven Women’s Shelter.

Each bruise, each swollen lip, each trembling child was like a punch in the gut. But she’d take the blows anytime Mrs. Collins or Laura called, asking her to do an evaluation on another new guest.

The guest she’d just left alone and scared in her room hit a little harder than most. The young woman had traveled a long, tough road recovering from drug use only to find herself with a dangerous man.

The scars on her arms had taken Jenna back in time. Back to a time of fighting tooth and nail to keep her baby sister away from the drugs her body craved. Back to moments of struggling to save Stella from herself, even at the cost of her own relationship.

Blinking back tears, Jenna pulled herself together and quickly washed her hands. Her past was filled with heartbreak and loss, but she could never regret any of it because it had brought Oliver into her life. Her almost two-year-old son was worth every second of pain she had experienced.

With thoughts of Oliver’s dark curls and big blue eyes, she wiped her hands on a dish towel she found on the counter. Time to head home and relieve the sitter who’d been there all day. Normally she’d bring Oliver with her to the shelter, but there hadn’t been time to stop and grab him after leaving her shift at the hospital. Her arms ached with a need to hold her baby.

“Lord almighty, I’m going to fall right over.” Elsie Sweet, the owner of the local thrift shop in Pine Valley, Tennessee bustled into the kitchen and heaved a bundle of garment bags on the marble island. She blew out an exasperated breath, pushing her long strawberry blond bangs off her smooth forehead.

“Are these all donations?” Jenna asked, eyes wide.

“Yep. Ever since I set out a donation box at the shop, I’ve been up to my pretty little neck in clothes I need to mend, hem, and patch. The back room Mrs. Collins set aside for clothing is going to run out of space. I’m going to ask if I can bring in more racks to organize things.”

“Mrs. Collins will happily jump on anything that’s going to make her life easier,” Jenna said.

Mrs. Collins had lived in the old Victorian house for years, generously using part of the home as a food pantry for the community. After Laura Metcalf had suggested transforming the home into a women’s shelter, the two women had worked tirelessly to provide a place for women and children in need, as well as welcoming countless volunteers to share their talents and time in whatever way possible.

Jenna had signed on right away as a medical professional, helping to care for the individuals she met at Safe HavenWomen’s Shelter however she could. Making friends with the other selfless volunteers was icing on the very rewarding, and often difficult, cake.

“Hello?” A faint greeting flitted into the kitchen from the front of the house.

Elsie cocked her head to the side and her hair spilled over one slender shoulder. “Is someone here?”

A few beats of silence passed. Jenna stilled, waiting to hear the voice again.

“Hello? Is anyone here?”

“Should we go out to the foyer?” Elsie asked. “I don’t know what I’m supposed to say. I only talk to the women when looking for something to wear. I don’t want to do the wrong thing.”

Jenna squeezed Elsie’s shoulder. “I’ll go. You stay here and figure out where to put these clothes. Mrs. Collins is a sweetheart, but she hates a messy kitchen.”

She left Elsie and her snorted laugh behind as she pushed open the swinging door to the foyer. She wasn’t usually the one to greet women who ventured into the shelter, but she had plenty of experience on how to handle people who were scared and desperate.

A woman with shoulder-length hair stood with her back to Jenna, arms wrapped around her waist.

“Hi,” Jenna said. “Can I help you?”

The woman spun around, and Jenna’s heart crashed at her feet.

“Stella?”

Her younger sister stared back at her with a tiny smirk on her full lips. Staring at her dark hair and eyes was like staring into a mirror—like staring at Oliver. Ice froze Jenna’s blood as excitement at seeing her sister after so long collided with fear of what had brought her to the shelter.

Stella dropped her arms to her sides. “You don’t look happy to see me, sis.”

Jenna fought to keep her composure, to keep any hint of emotion from slipping into her facial expressions. “Just surprised. It’s been a long time. Are you okay? You look good.” She was surprised at the truth of her last statement. Gone was the too-skinny girl with stringy hair and blood-shot eyes. She looked strong and healthy and clean.

Three things she’d wanted for her sister since they’d been teenagers over a decade ago.

“I’m great, actually. Better than I’ve ever been. I moved to Pine Valley a few months ago, stayed sober, and even started my own business.”

Jenna’s smile tightened as dread settled in the pit of her stomach. “That’s amazing. So happy to hear you’re doing well.”

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