Page 102 of When the Smoke Clears

She chews her lip. “I’m not sure. At some point, probably.”

“I already told you, you don’t have to do this on your own. And it doesn’t have to be me, Firecracker. I know you’re trying to protect everyone around you, but you have a lot of people around that want to help.”

She nods but doesn’t respond, still contemplating as she stares out the window. Admitting her actions to me was probably hard enough. I don’t know how hard to push sometimes. Maybe I need the opposite of exposure therapy. What kind of guidance is there for a partner of someone who went through something traumatic?

When we get back to the ranch, I tell Maci to head inside while I store everything in my shop.

She eyes me from the passenger seat. “Are you sure?”

“Would I have asked if I wasn’t?”

“Ok, one, it didn’t sound like a question.” She turns the sass on full volume. “And two, it’s my stuff, so I just want to make sure I’m not dumping it on you.”

“It’s not dumping it on me if I offer. Now get out of here before I give you a spanking for being sassy.”

She grins. “Maybe I won’t.” But she climbs down anyway, giving me one last glance over her shoulder as she rounds the house.

I spend a few minutes clearing space in the shop for Maci’s boxes and photography equipment. The shelving in here is plenty for both of us, but I know this will only be a temporary solution. Once Maci is comfortable at Ruthie’s again, I’ll help her get the garage studio set just how she likes.

On my second trip to unload the truck, Maci rocks in one of the chairs on the front porch, talking on the phone. Her wave is distracted. Instinct has me wanting to jump in, but I give her the space to finish her conversation while I make two more trips.

“Hey, Cowboy,” she says coyly, waiting outside the shop as I exit the final time.

“You waiting on something?”

“Someone. I was naughty earlier, and I think I’m supposed to get a spanking.”

“If you don’t learn your lesson, you may need to experience a whip. We have a couple in the stables.” I slide my hands around her waist with a grin.

“Ok, well before you whip out the big guns, I got an odd call while you were gone.”

“I’m listening.” I grab her around the thighs and throw her over my shoulder. Maci squeals and smacks me on the back.

“I’m serious,” she laughs.

“It doesn’t sound like it.” I’m nearly to the hallway door before she composes herself.

“Stephanie called.”

That’ll do it. I set her on her feet in front of the door.

“Oh good, you’re listening.” She grins. “She’s leaving Nana’s.”

“She just got there,” I say in confusion.

“Yeah. I know. And she didn’t really give me a lot to go on about leaving.”

Something seems off. Maci and I stare at each other as if the other holds the answer. “Do you think she’s going back to Alan?”

“I don’t think so. She seems a little more peaceful away from him. She just said she’d be out of Nana’s soon and she wanted me to know.”

“Well, that’s good, right?”

Maci reaches behind herself for the door handle. “Should be. Just feels weird.”

“I know what doesn’t feel weird.” I crowd her against the door. She releases the handle, a smile tugging at the corners of her mouth as the door falls inward. “About those spankings.”

Chapter 37

---