Page 66 of When We Burn

I can’t help but chuckle at that, relieved that she has some color back in her cheeks.

“I think we’re having pot roast.”

“Yum.” She sighs against me and rubs her hand over my chest, as if she’s comforting me as much as herself. “I’ve worked really hard to keep the shit I carry around because of that man away from my everyday life. I did a good job of it when I lived in Bozeman.”

“But you’re here now, and there are going to be some hard moments.”

“I’m sorry if I’m a lot.”

I feel my brows pinch together. “I can handle it, kitten. Don’t worry about me for a second. And if you have one of those bad moments, you just tell me, and we can do this until it’s better.”

She swallows hard and then offers me a small smile. “You’re pretty good for me, you know?”

“I like to think we’re good for each other.”

A car pulls in, and we both look over to see Bee parking in front of the house. When she climbs out of her car, she looks tired butveryhappy.

“I’m making a killing at the shop,” she says by way of a greeting. “Here’s hoping that trend continues. Hey, you okay, D?”

Dani nods but takes Bee’s hand when she approaches.

“Chickens,” is all Dani has to say.

“Got it. Better now?”

“Yeah.”

Bee’s gaze finds mine, and I nod.

“Good. Let’s go eat before our brothers scarf it all down and we’re left with the dregs of mashed potatoes and a sliver of pot roast.”

“Let’s go eat,” I agree.

Chapter Twelve

DANI

Isplash some cold water on my face and then stare at my reflection in the mirror. I don’t look quite as pale as when I came in here a minute ago. Bridger joined his family in the dining room, and I detoured to the bathroom to calm down the rest of the way.

I’ve had such a great day with my man and his adorable daughter. Being on the ranch is fun and doesn’t bother me at all. I’ve always loved it out here.

Unless someone mentions those darn chickens, and then I lose it. They’re just birds. But the trauma I still carry from them is in the marrow of my bones, and it might be the one thing that I’ll never fully recover from.The screams.The horrifying noises that the chickens made when my father tortured them. I’ll neverunhear those screams. The stricken expression on my sisters’ faces.

I shudder.

I know it could be much worse, and it felt good tohave Bridger hold me through the worst of the panic attack.

I pat my face dry with a towel and take a deep breath.

I’m not going to let bad memories ruin the rest of this day. The house smells delicious, and I’m hungry, so I open the door of the bathroom and am surprised to find Bridger leaning against the opposite wall, waiting for me, his arms crossed over his chest, looking delicious.

“You should be eating,” I inform him, taking his offered hand and linking our fingers.

“I’m making sure my girl’s okay.”

His girl.It never fails to wake up the butterflies in my belly.

“I’m much better, thank you.” I boost up on my toes and offer him my lips, and he gives me a quick kiss. “And I’m hungry.”

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