Page 64 of Elsie's Strong Shelter

Elsie tore off the mask. “Is she awake?”

Mr. Sweet glanced back and nodded, the moonlight bouncing off the tears glimmering in his eyes. “Yes.”

Elsie gripped Dean’s shirt. “I want to see her.”

“Okay, but then put that mask back on.” In one swift movement, he rose with Elsie still in his arms. He secured her tightly against his body, committing the feel of her to memory.

A fresh round of anger swept through Dean like a flash flood. Dirt covered Mila’s face and matted her hair. Her sunken cheeks were as hollow as her droopy eyes. Dried blood caked her tattered and torn scrubs. Mila gingerly lifted a hand toward Elsie.

Elsie threaded their fingers together. “I told you we’d make it out of there.”

Mila swallowed hard. “Thank you.” The words croaked from her throat.

“I love you, lady,” Elsie said.

Mila managed a tiny smile before her eyes slid shut.

“We need to get you both out of here,” the medic with a shock of black hair said.

Dean took a step away from Mila to give them space to move.

Elsie curled against him. “I love you, too, Dean.”

Joy tightened his chest. He tenderly pressed his lips to hers before carrying her out of the forest and toward a future he couldn’t wait to build together.

Elsie struggledwith her crutches as she hobbled across the storeroom at the shelter, helping a young woman find the pale pink shirt she remembered that would go perfectly with her new suit. “It’s right over here. I know you’ll love it and it’s your size.”

The woman hugged the clothes she’d already found to her chest and sighed. Her dark hair was pulled into a stubby pony tail and no make-up covered the tiny laugh lines on her face. “This is such an amazing event. I’ve been so nervous for this interview, it could change mine and my son’s lives, and having something professional to wear will help my confidence so much. You’re a God send, Elsie.”

“I’m only doing my part. So glad to help.” Even as she batted away the praise, she clung to it. Making a difference to all the women who’d stopped by the Dress for Success event three days after she’d fought for her life kept her on her feet. A dull achestill swallowed her head and her leg throbbed from spending too much time moving around.

Mrs. Collins met Elsie at the clothing rack and hooked an arm around her shoulder in a gentle side hug. “Let me grab that shirt and a bag for Marcia. Your man is about to jump out of his skin watching you from the corner. Go have a seat, for all our sakes.”

She grinned, her gaze connecting with Dean’s. He hadn’t left her side since he’d lifted her out of the mine shaft. Staying by her hospital bed while the doctors cleaned her up then sleeping at her place to help take care of Jimmy while Mila recovered. He’d supported her while the police explained the charges against Justin and his stepdad, and how they’d fallen into business with Malcom to help pay off a lien on their family’s property.

A mistake that would cost them—and the woman they were both trying to protect—a whole hell of a lot more than a house and some land.

Dean made his way toward her, weaving through the clusters of women and children browsing the multitude of items waiting to find a new owner. “You okay? Need a break? Jenna said you should take it easy for a few days. You’re still healing from that nasty concussion.”

His concern warmed her from the inside out, but she didn’t need to be reminded of her injuries. Every sudden motion sent spikes of pain through her body, which unlucky for her, was accompanied by dizziness and nausea.

But nothing would have kept her from being at the shelter today. Seeing her idea come to life and all the people it benefited made every ache and pain worth it.

“A break would be nice. Maybe something cold to drink.” She studied the dwindling racks and volunteers buzzing about. “Where’s Jimmy?”

“In the back yard with Boo, Jenna, and Oliver.”

She rolled her eyes. “Jenna wasn’t supposed to be here today. She’s like a mother hen. Hell, she’s been more on my case than my own mother.”

He pressed a kiss to her temple and led her outside. “She wants to make sure you’re not pushing yourself too hard. Plus, she figured she could help keep an eye on Jimmy today since you’d be busy. And did you see the time?”

A quick twist of her wrist to check her watch made her grasp. “I didn’t realize it’d gotten so late. Is she almost here?”

He grinned. “On the way.”

Crossing through the kitchen to the back door, she slowly made it outside. Jimmy sat in the middle of the large yard with Boo and Oliver on the ground beside him. Pumpkins lined the cobblestone walkway. Jenna sat on a pergola-covered swing with deep purple and orange mums flanking the sides.

“Elsie!” Jimmy jumped to his feet and ran to her. “Dean gave me a ball to throw to Boo. He caught it once but now just wants to munch on it. He’s so silly. It’s not food!”

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