“I’m off the day after tomorrow if you want.”

  “I hate that you have to do all the driving.”

  “I won’t soon enough. Trust me.”

  Bridget took a gamble. “Will you spend all day here?”

  “If you want me to, I can manage that.”

  “I would love it if you could.”

  “Then I’ll see you then.”

  They hung up, and Bridget couldn’t wipe the smile off her lips. She was managing to do what Eli had told her. Open up, be honest, be proactive. She really liked Jerica, perhaps even more since she couldn’t get her out of her head. Something about Jerica always seemed to come up any time Bridget had a stray thought or time to sit and think, which was a lot lately. Falling asleep with a smile on her lips was the best thing that had happened to her that day.

  CHAPTER 12

  Bridget’s stomach was a bundle of nerves. Crutches leaned against the wall as she waited for Jerica to arrive later that morning. There were no guests in the house, and the quiet, oddly enough, wasn’t soothing. She missed the hustle and bustle of people moving around in the morning, of Eli making breakfast for the guests.

  Eli had blocked out weeks of the bed-and-breakfast, leaving for the moment only three of them, though more people were incoming. Family. People Bridget had never met and ones she’d known for most of her life, and yet, the last impression she had left on them wasn’t the greatest. She had no idea how they would react to seeing her, if she was going to be facing problems again or if they would calmly accept her presence.

  More than once over the last week, Bridget had tried to convince Eli that she could go home and live on her own, especially now that she had crutches. Eli had promptly laughed and told her when she could go up and down stairs comfortably without falling or scooting then she could go home. Bridget pursed her lips at the thought. Perhaps Jerica could help her figure that one out.

  It had been nearly six weeks since the accident, and she was getting closer to ending her leave of absence and heading straight into light desk duty. At least her deputies seemed far more likely to include her in what was going on in town now than they had in the beginning. That was a blessing in and of itself. The distraction had been most welcome, and Bridget had to help them navigate some of the regulars down to the jail.

  Still a lot of the days, Bridget couldn’t help but think of Sonny, still in jail as they awaited a trial. He didn’t have money enough to bail himself out, and he didn’t have family enough to do it. Bridget hadn’t taken a stand on what had happened, though. She wanted to go down to the jail and talk to him. It wouldn’t be a good idea.

  Sighing, she stared out the window, half-expecting Jerica’s little car to be bumbling along the dirt road as she arrived, but there was nothing. Bridget checked her phone, knowing when Jerica had left and that she should be there any time.

  “Would you stop it?” Eli whined.

  “What?” Bridget twisted around in the chair with wide eyes and a hard look.

  “Pining.”

  “I’m not pining,” Bridget mumbled. “I’m waiting.”

  “Good Lord, because there’s a whole lot of difference in that.” Eli laughed as she started a new pot of coffee.

  Sarah came up from the basement, went to the fridge, and grabbed an energy drink. She leaned against the counter as she drank, eyeing Bridget—but not with a suspicious look. Rather an amused one. Bridget would have prodded her for a response as well but figured that probably wasn’t a good idea. The two of them were only just now finding a delicate balance.

  “I haven’t met Jerica yet, but from what Eli tells me, I think I’ll like her.”

  Bridget narrowed her gaze and muttered, “Probably.”

  She still hadn’t told Eli about how thin the walls were, and she definitely wasn’t going to bring that up in front of Sarah. Nope, that was a conversation that could wait for Eli and her to be alone, although that had been tough to find since Sarah arrived. They did everything together.

  When she glanced out the window, Jerica’s car moved up the road toward the house. She grinned. She couldn’t stop it, and when she and Sarah made eye contact again, she knew Sarah understood the feeling. Bridget stayed put, not quite sure she wanted to test her ability on the crutches just yet, considering she still struggled with her mostly healed arm. Her ankle was what was taking fucking forever to heal, although she’d known that was going to be the issue from the start.

  Jerica came right into the house, not bothering to knock and wait. Bridget smiled as she came around the corner, their eyes connecting. “Hey.”

  “Hey,” Jerica answered with a grin. “Didn’t want to try the crutches?”

  “Considering the last time I tried to do something new with you around I fell flat on my face, no. I opted to stay seated right here.”

  Jerica chuckled and came to stand next to Bridget, a hand on her shoulder as she looked up, finally, seeing Eli and Sarah in the kitchen eyeing the two of them. “You must be Sarah.”

  “I am.” Sarah came forward, hand extended.

  “It’s good to meet you. I’ve heard some about you, though I think Bridget failed to mention you were also Sadie Bade.”

  Bridget snorted. She had mentioned it once, but she couldn’t tell if Jerica was being polite or if she had forgotten. “Oh, right, she’s also Sadie Bade.”

  Jerica rolled her eyes, moving to stand against Bridget’s side again. “Well, it is good to meet you.”

  “Likewise.”

  “Aren’t they cute together?” Eli added in her two cents, making Bridget flush horribly.

  Sarah elbowed her in the ribs, shutting Eli up really quick. Bridget was thankful for the semi-subtle move, but mostly the admonition of Eli’s outburst. “We’re going to be stripping the rooms upstairs to get them ready, so don’t mind us.”

  Bridget narrowed her gaze. “If you need the room downstairs—”

  “Leave it, Bridge,” Eli interjected. “You’re stuck here for a while longer, and it’s not like we don’t have space enough for everyone.”

  “Right.”

  Jerica looked slightly confused, and Bridget knew she was going to have to explain that. Eli and Sarah took their caffeine and headed up the stairs, leaving Jerica and Bridget by themselves. Jerica sat in the chair next to Bridget, smiling at her. “So what’s going on?”

  “A wedding. But I didn’t realize everyone was staying here, so I’m taking up an extra room they could be using.”

  “And you want to go home?”

  “Well…yeah. Who wouldn’t? I miss my house.”

  Jerica gave her a pitying look. “Why won’t Eli let you?”

  Bridget grimaced. “I need to—according to Eli—be proficient with the crutches in going up and down stairs before I can sufficiently stay on my own.”

  “Makes sense.”

  “It does, but I still don’t want to be around when everyone gets here.”

  “When are they coming?”

  “They’re trickling in.”

  Jerica pursed her lips. “I can help you with the crutches, but don’t you still have to avoid using them a whole lot because of your arm.”

  Bridget nodded. “It gets sore after just going from the basement to the truck.”

  “I’m not surprised.” Jerica reached over, her fingers covering Bridget’s injured arm, the one finally out of a cast and sling but still sore. “You’ll build your strength back up.”

  “I know. I’m just…I’m tired of being patient about it.”

  “I get it.” Jerica gave her a soft smile. “So start now. You can do some things now you couldn’t before.”

  “True.” Bridget’s lips turned up. She loved how positive Jerica always seemed to be, always looking on the bright side of life. It was something Bridget had never been able to do.

  “So while they’re cleaning, what are we going to do?”

  Bridget shook her head, the thoughts coming to her mind not something they could do at the dining room table. Flushed with heat again, Bridget gave a sheepish smile. Now that she had full use of her arm again, she wanted Jerica on top of her.

  “Oh,” Jerica breathed out the word, a smile blooming on her lips too. “I mean, if you want—”

  “I would love to, Jerica, but I don’t think today is probably the best day. I want to be able to do this right, not shit out halfway through because my arm gets sore.”

  Laughing lightly, Jerica leaned in and pressed their mouths together in a tender kiss. “I think, even if that did happen, we would figure it out.”

  Bridget hummed, reaching up with her formerly broken hand, her dominant hand, finally, and pulled Jerica back in for a kiss. Turning the kiss heated, Bridget swiped her tongue along Jerica’s lips and waited for her to part them, for her to have full access to the moment with Jerica as much as she could manage. She wanted it to be perfect when they were together the first time, something special and not just heated passion that fizzled out. She wanted to make it like nothing Jerica had experienced before.

  Jerica leaned in, sliding a hand along Bridget’s thigh to her hip. She pulled away, a smile on her lips. “I will gladly have sex with you whenever you feel you’re ready. Okay?”

  “Okay,” Bridget answered, not quite sure how to take that. No one had ever told her something like that before, but considering the healing from her injuries, living with Eli, her nightmares that seemed to be getting worse, not better—though she’d never tell anyone that—and trying to get back to work, her life was more than full of things. She really didn’t need one more to think about, although she had particularly loved thinking about this one.

  “Good.” Jerica leaned in again, their mouths touching softly. “Until then, I’m going to enjoy kissing you senseless.”

  “Not hard to do,” Bridget mumbled, nipping at Jerica’s plump lower lip. “I quite enjoy kissing you.”

  Giggling, Jerica squeezed Bridget’s thigh and kissed her again. They were still lip-locked when Eli came back down the stairs, her hands full of sheets and towels. She scoffed, catching their full attention, and Bridget shook her head.

  “You two are like teenagers.”

  “Because you and Sarah aren’t?” Bridget raised an eyebrow, deciding now was the time for a small jibe at Eli. “It’s not like the walls are that thick, Eli.”

  Eli blushed, furiously. Her entire face and neck turned red as her eyes widened. “I didn’t…I didn’t even think…”

  “Yup.” Bridget wrinkled her nose. “So don’t go calling me out on things that you yourself can’t handle either.”

  “Right. Sorry.” Eli was still bright red as she turned on her heel and headed to the basement.

  Bridget laughed loudly as she sat back in her chair, just waiting for Eli to come up again and not be able to look her in the eye. Jerica shook her head. “You’re awful.”

  “That was funny. I’ve been waiting to catch her alone to tell her about it.”

  Jerica patted Bridget’s thigh again. “And what will you do when she says the same about us?”

  Bridget’s jaw dropped.

  “I’m not exactly quiet.”

  “Oh fuck,” Bridget mumbled, all the hormones in her body raging, first from the talk, then the kissing, and now this.

  “Yes, oh fuck, indeed.” Jerica gave her a pointed look. “Whenever you want.”

  Bridget groaned. How the hell was she supposed to respond to that?

  By the time morning came, Bridget had barely been able to sleep. Aside from listening to Sarah and Eli attempt to be quiet, she was incredibly nervous. She hadn’t touched on it with anyone, but being in a house with Sarah’s family, with Eli’s family, with everyone busy and happy and looking forward to something she had almost ruined—she was not looking forward to it.

  Bridget would be the odd woman out. She wouldn’t be accepted. She was the ex, and not only the ex, but she was the one who had tried to break them up in the beginning, who had caused so many issues for Eli in the long run. The tension between the two of them had been high for years. It was only in the last couple that it had calmed down and only in the last few weeks since the accident that they had found a balance.

  But adding in the family? That could very easily upset the even keel they’d found. Not to mention Bridget didn’t want to be in the way. She already felt like a burden, but being there while they did the final touches on all the wedding planning? Bridget gulped. She was going to be there for the wedding if she didn’t get home quick. Cursing under her breath, she pushed herself up and tried to figure out how she could get better quicker. She did not want to be there for the wedding.

  Anything but that.

  Heading into the bathroom, Bridget covered her leg with a plastic bag and hobbled into the shower. At least she was far more mobile now than she had been. It would help her case that she should just go home.

  When she got out, she wrapped herself in a towel and dried off. It felt good to have a shower instead of a bath. Nothing like the simple things in life she’d missed over the past six weeks. Footsteps upstairs told her they were no longer alone at the house. Bridget pressed her lips tightly together and stared at the door.

  She might as well face the music. Nothing was going to change how they treated her—it was going to be a disaster, and she’d beg for someone to drive her home in an instant. She’d much rather be there anyway.

  Bridget took her time getting dressed. Grabbing her crutches, she maneuvered to the stairs, used the railing, and took them one at a time to get to the top. She was getting much better at that, although she still felt like she was going to fall down half the time. She’d never admit that to anyone unless she had to, but Eli often wrangled it out of her.

  As she entered the kitchen, she was hit with a memory. Karen at the stove, cooking the two of them breakfast after a sleepover when they’d stayed up all night. Bob already out in the fields working or out on some emergency veterinarian call that had come in. Stacy trying to get their attention as if she was their third best friend when she was really a third wheel. Bryant ignoring them.

  They all stared at her. She awkwardly shuffled to get the crutches under her arms and stared back, no idea what to say or even how to begin the conversation. She drew in a shuddering breath, searching for Eli, the only person she trusted in the room not to make her feel ostracized, shamed, or the guilty party in every crime.

  “You look like you’re healing well,” Karen said, her voice soft and soothing. There was no touch of anger to it, hardly any pity either, which Bridget was thankful for.

  Bridget nodded. “I’m on crutches now.”

  Karen gave a small smile. “Happier to move around.”

  “God yes.” Bridget had almost cursed but caught herself at the last minute. It would not do her well to curse in front of Karen. Bridget always suspected she had it in her to whip her with a wooden spoon.

  “I’m glad. Eli said you looked pretty rough when she got to you in the hospital.”

  Bridget looked around again for Eli but didn’t find her. Instead, all of the Wilsons, minus Bryant and Stacy’s husband—whatever his name was—stared at her. Bridget shrugged.

  Karen stepped in close and put a hand on Bridget’s shoulder. She leaned in, sliding her other arm around to encapsulate her in a hug. Bridget stiffened. Karen held on tight, pressing her nose into Bridget’s hair. “I’m so glad you’re okay. I was so worried.”

  Tears stung Bridget’s eyes.

  “Are you really all right?” Karen whispered.

  Bridget sniffled. She nodded, then she shook her head. Reaching around as best as she could, she gripped Karen in a hug, not wanting to let go. She’d never expected this. Never thought she’d be welcome back into this family. It had been her family growing up. She’d felt more herself, more free, and more able to have fun and be a kid here than anywhere else. She’d never wanted to leave.

  Karen lifted her chin and said firmly, “Why don’t y’all go hang out in the den for a bit. We can eat in there.”

  The shuffling movement from the room gave Bridget what she needed to gather herself again. When she pulled away from Karen, she brushed her fingers under her eyes, capturing the tears that had already fallen.

  “It’s okay to cry, baby.” Karen wiped thumbs over her cheeks. “You nearly died.”

  Bridget nodded, but she barely registered what Karen had said. Then she shook her head. “It’s not that.”

  “What is it then?”

  “I just…I never thought I’d be welcome here after what happened.”

  Karen sighed and lifted Bridget’s chin so Bridget had to look her in the eye—eyes that matched Eli’s, a soft brown that held so much depth in them. “You are always welcome in my family. Don’t you let anyone tell you otherwise.”

  “Okay. Thanks, Karen.”

  Karen chuckled lightly. “Now I suppose you want to make it look like you weren’t crying, so go splash some cold water on your face and you can help me finish breakfast.”

  “Yeah.” Bridget shuffled over to the kitchen sink and did as she was told. When she dried her face on the towel, she saw Eli and Sarah out the window, holding hands as they walked toward the house. Of course Eli would be out with Bob doing chores in the morning.

  Karen sat her at the counter with all the mixings for pancakes. It had been their go-to when they were kids sleeping over. Bridget remembered it almost like it was yesterday.

  “When did you all get in?” Bridget asked.

  “Late last night. Bob insisted on driving from Arizona in one day.”

  Bridget whistled. “Tough drive.”

  Karen hummed her agreement. “I think he’s excited for the wedding.”

  Bridget had expected to stiffen at the thought, but instead, she found it felt rather normal and good. “Eli said you’re cooking for it.”

  “I am. In this dream kitchen she remodeled.”

  Bridget had to agree. Eli and Sarah came in, Bob shortly following them. Soon the kitchen was buzzing with voices again. Eli glanced over, checking on Bridget like she always seemed to do. Bridget nodded, a silent exchange between them. She was comfortable. For the first time in ages, she was comfortable sitting with a bunch of people who knew she was a lesbian and didn’t care. They loved her just the same. It was the first and only place she had ever felt that way.