Page 97 of Refuge for Flora

“I’m having the carpet replaced where it was ruined and staying at the house for a bit, but you’re right down the road, right?” Barrett nodded. “If I need you, I’ll give you a call. She’s got your number, right?”

“Yep. Okay, you ladies take care. We’ll see you later. Come on, babe.”

“Wait one damn minute! You come here, girl,” Mrs.Murphy growled.

Flora stepped to the side of her hospital bed and Mrs.Murphy reached for her hand. “I love ya. Yore my family. I didn’t do a very good job of protecting ya, but I won’t let that happen again.”

For the first time, Flora leaned down and hugged the old woman, who squeezed her tightly. “I love you too, Mrs.Murphy, and I love living there with you. As far as I’m concerned, you’re my mama now.”

“Good girl.” The woman’s hand cupped Flora’s cheek and she smiled up into the younger woman’s eyes. “Now, you take care-a yoreself and take care-a that boy there. He deserves better than he’s got.”

“Thanks. I think that’s the nicest thing you’ve ever said about me!” Barrett said, laughing.

Mrs.Murphy glared at him. “Don’t push yore luck, boy.”

He laughed loudly. “Yes, ma’am!”

Once they were in Barrett’s truck, he stuck the key into the ignition, but turned with a knee up on the seat to look at her. “Babe, I’m so sorry I wasn’t there.”

“You couldn’t be. You were trying to take care of the biggest threat. You couldn’t have known he had somebody else on board.”

“Yeah, but I’m still sorry. He’s gone. He’s not getting out?ever. Bradley likely isn’t either. There’s no one to stand in your way, so if you want to go back to Pikeville, you can do so safely. Is that what you want?”

“No. My home is here now. I feel like I have more family here than I ever had there.”

“So, are we okay?”

Flora reached for his hand and when it closed around hers, she felt calm for the first time since the whole ordeal began. “As far as I’m concerned, we are.”

“Then we are. I’ll call my attorney and get the ball rolling to get you a divorce as fast as we can.”

“I can’t afford?”

“It’s taken care of. Don’t worry about it. Now, let’s go get some of your things from Mrs.Murphy’s house and then go to mine. I want you to stay with me for a while.”

“Just for a while?”

Barrett smiled until his eyes squinted shut. “Forever, if you want.”

* * *

She was clean,wearing clean clothes, warm, and had a bottle of sparkling water in her hand, her feet up on the coffee table while Barrett showered. There was a knock at the front door, and Flora crept toward it. She hadn’t had a chance to peer through the peephole before a female voice said, “Flora, I know you’re in there. It’s Landee. Open the door.”

“Hi! What are you doing here?”

Landee thrust a large casserole dish toward Flora. “Brought you this. Thought you need some rest and this will let you get it.”

“Want to come in?”

“Nah. Zyan’s waiting in the car.” Flora looked past her and could see the big man sitting there. When he noticed her looking at him, he waved, and she waved back with a smile. “But we’ll see you soon, okay? We want you guys to come for dinner.”

“I’d love that. Thank you so much. And please thank Zyan for me.”

“I will. Talk to you soon.” Landee jogged back to the car, and she waved as she slipped into the passenger seat.

She found a spot in the refrigerator for the dish?there sure as hell wasn’t anything else in his refrigerator?and had just sat back down when she heard a car door. After peering through the peephole, she opened the door. “What in the?”

Beth and Rochelle stood there, their arms full of bags and boxes. “Hey! We just wanted to get some stuff together for you two so you don’t have to worry about food.” Barrett’s mom and sister powered right on into the house and past Flora to the kitchen. “Looks like somebody’s already been here,” Beth announced. “Let me guess… Landee.”

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