“What do you mean?”

  “It’s split level, so there’s stairs to get to the door, then stairs up or down as soon as you get inside. It won’t be easy for me to do that on my own.”

  “Oh.” Jerica’s face turned down. “Where will you stay then?”

  “I haven’t figured that one out yet, so I guess only time will tell.”

  “With your parents?”

  Bridget’s previous thoughts came rushing back. “I hope not. We don’t exactly get along.”

  “Ah.” Jerica touched her hand against Bridget’s. “Well, I hope you find someone kind to stay with.”

  “Me too.”

  “I’ll see you around, Bridget. I’m glad you’re doing so well.” Jerica stood up and walked out of the door without another word. Bridget leaned back into the pillows, staring after her. She still couldn’t figure out why Jerica would want to visit someone like her. Bridget was no one special. In fact, she was the complete opposite of special. She was broken.

  Her heart raced and her fingers gripped the wheel tightly. Bridget clenched her eyes shut as the crunching sound of her vehicle breaking apart pierced her ears. She panicked. Every nightmare she’d had about dying in the line of duty came rushing back.

  Her hands were covered in sweat as she tightened her grasp. She tried to turn away from the sound, from the danger, but she was locked into place. The seatbelt was tight against her hips, her chest, and she couldn’t move. Clenching her jaw, Bridget waited for the impact, for her to be sliced in half by whatever was coming at her.

  Pain seared through her body, and she screamed. Sitting straight up in the hospital bed, screaming, Bridget opened her eyes as wide as she could get them. In seconds, nurses piled into the room, the light flicking on as they surrounded her. She couldn’t stop the panic, the pain, she couldn’t control her breathing.

  Pushing them away as they grabbed her arms, Bridget struggled to get free, to be let go, to not be stuck in a place she didn’t want to be. Voices surrounded her, sharp commands not only to herself but to the other nurses. She couldn’t even make out what they were saying as she struggled against the hold they had.

  Someone ran out as Bridget pushed as hard as she could with her good arm, shoving one of the nurses to the side as she attempted to get free from them. She had to get out. Had to breathe some fresh air, have a moment where she could stand in the cold chilly air and take a deep breath. Maybe that would be the only thing that would calm her down.

  Making that decision, Bridget had to get outside. She pushed and pulled, doing her best to get loose, but it wasn’t working. It was too hard to move with her arm in a sling and her leg and foot wrapped up. A familiar voice echoed in her ear, saying her name in soothing tones.

  Bridget wrenched her eyes open, meeting the eyes of none other than Chaplain Melville. Bridget shook her head, desperate to reach out and touch June’s arm, something that would root her to where she was, ground her in the moment. Perhaps June could be that connection for her.

  “Take a deep breath, Bridget.” June’s voice was the only thing she could focus on. Their eyes locked in a battle Bridget didn’t want to give up. She couldn’t speak, could barely breathe. “Come on, Bridget. I need you to start breathing deeply otherwise they’re going to medicate you.”

  “No,” she managed that one small word.

  June looked over Bridget’s shoulder at someone. Bridget wasn’t sure, but she hoped it was Eli. She needed someone who could come in and calm her down, and Eli was the only person who would be able to do that. She’d always been the one person who could.

  Her stomach swirled, a mess of emotions as she tried to catch her breath, make her heart stop galloping, or stand up and get out of there. She didn’t care if it did more damage to her already broken bones. She needed space.

  “Bridget.” The voice was soft, calm.

  Bridget immediately tensed, closing her eyes and searching for the voice again. It wasn’t Eli, that much she knew, but it was feminine, strong, comforting.

  “Bridget, listen to my voice. Take a deep breath, open your lungs and draw in air.”

  Without hesitating, Bridget did as she was told, cold air filling her hot lungs and soothing her terror. She breathed out slowly, her grip on June’s arms loosening, but she still held on, fearing what would happen if she did let go.

  “Do it again. You’re doing great.” The voice had a slight accent to it—foreign. She barely noticed it though, and it was probably only because she listened to nothing other than that voice. “In and out.”

  Bridget did it again, slowing her entire body. Her muscles relaxed one by one. It took several more breaths, but eventually she released June and leaned back onto the hospital bed that had been her home for the past week. When she opened her eyes, the entire room was still.

  June knelt in front of her, hands on either side of her on the bed, her eyes wide and hopeful. Other nurses stood around, and one had a needle ready to go. When Bridget turned her head, she was shocked to find Jerica standing next to June, her eyes wide as she stared directly at Bridget.

  “Are you okay?”

  That voice. It was her voice. Embarrassment filled her, and Bridget’s eyes stung with tears. She sniffled as she shook her head but said, “Yeah, I’m fine.”

  “Okay. They’re going to leave for right now, but June and I are going to sit with you for a bit, okay?”

  “Okay,” Bridget agreed. She had no idea what else she was supposed to be doing. The other nurses left after helping her back onto the bed. June and Jerica stayed put, one on either side of her, hands on hers as they comforted her.

  Her cheeks heated every time she tried to think about the mess she’d just put them all through. It was so unlike her. She’d had nightmares before, but never like this, never like she had to get out and away to be safe from them.

  “Your heart rate’s coming down,” Jerica murmured. “That’s a good thing. Blood pressure, too.”

  Bridget hadn’t even noticed they’d slapped those back on her in the aftermath of her nightmare. Cursing herself, she closed her eyes, the lump in her throat so very hard to swallow. “I’m so sorry.”

  “Don’t be sorry,” Jerica said. “I’m surprised it didn’t happen before now.”

  June chimed in. “Nightmares are very common after what you went through.”

  Bridget shook her head, not wanting to hear platitudes. Even if it was true, she was so much better than that. She’d been taught for years to hide everything, and it was better for the world if she did. “What time is it?”

  “Nearly seven,” Jerica answered. “I was just coming in for shift when they called me.”

  Bridget’s eyes snapped open. “Called you? Why would they call you?”

  Jerica’s lips parted, and she glanced at June for help. June and Jerica shared a look that Bridget couldn’t read, and then went on to explain whatever it was away. “We needed extra help.”

  “Because I was out of control.”

  “You had a nightmare and a panic attack,” Jerica started. “We’re trained to help you with that.”

  Bridget shook her head. “Please just get out. I’m fine now. Please just go.”

  They both looked surprised, but Bridget couldn’t handle the way they were staring at her, gazes filled with pity. She was desperate for the quiet she had abhorred only days before. She needed to sink into her own vat of shame without the two of them looking on.

  Jerica leaned in. “I need to check your vitals before I can leave. Do you want June to stay or go?”

  “Go,” Bridget whispered, her voice breaking on the word. If she could only get rid of one of them, then she would.

  June patted the top of Bridget’s hand. “Please let them call me if you need me, Bridget. I’m here for you in whatever capacity you need, all right?”

  Bridget didn’t respond—didn’t nod or speak. Instead, she folded her arm across her hips, holding herself tightly as she waited for Jerica to start the testing she had to get done before Bridget could kick her out, too. Then she could have the room to herself. She could wallow in her own self-pity with no one to look on.

  June left the room, although she looked over her shoulder, eyes filled with concern. Jerica waited a few more seconds before standing and pulling the computer over. She opened the file and took Bridget’s blood pressure reading, inputting in into the system. She went through the routine, Bridget moving when she needed to and being as quiet as possible. She would not speak, and she would not engage this woman.

  As Jerica finished up, she sat back on the edge of the bed and touched Bridget’s leg lightly. “Please talk to me.”

  “There’s nothing to tell. I had a nightmare. Thank you for coming to help.”

  “Bridget.”

  Bridget gave her a hard look and shook her head. She didn’t want to talk about this to anyone. “I’m fine.”

  “I’d believe it better if you weren’t also crying.”

  She hadn’t even noticed. Raising her hand to her cheeks, she found they were wet as tears slid down to her chin. Bridget wiped them away angrily. “Seems I can’t control myself since coming here. It’ll be much better once I get home. I promise.”

  Jerica sighed. “Will Eli come to get you?”

  “I don’t know,” Bridget whispered. “I don’t know where I’m going.”

  “You need to figure that out before you’re released.”

  “Don’t you think I know that?” The bite to her words was over the top, but Bridget couldn’t control that either. She was not in the position to be nice and pleasant. Not after what she’d just experienced.

  “Bridget, please, we’re only here to help you.”

  “I don’t need your help. If you’re done, please leave.”

  Jerica sat in shock for a few more seconds before standing and walking out of the room, shutting the door behind her. Cast into the quiet, Bridget openly let the tears slide down her cheeks without brushing them away. It was so hard to cry. The broken ribs made her sobbing hurt in ways she’d never experienced before, and still, she couldn’t stop it.

  What the hell had happened to her? She’d gone from the tough sheriff to the weakling, the one who cried over everything and couldn’t keep her shit together. This was not her, and she didn’t like this new her. Bridget hated being vulnerable, especially in front of others. Shifting around on the bed, she got comfortable and closed her eyes against the oncoming dawn. It was too early in the morning for this crap, but at least she didn’t have to feign going back to sleep. She could stay awake, wait for her breakfast, and start her new day by figuring out where the hell she was going to sleep once she was released.

  Her first goal was to not go to her parent’s house. That meant she had to find somewhere else to crash, somewhere that would be considered more optimal than their place. The problem was, Bridget really had no one she could call to ask the favor from, no one who would help take care of her, no one who she felt comfortable asking. She was an invalid, and she was no longer the woman she had grown up to be.

  CHAPTER 4

  Her room was filled with people, and Bridget wasn’t sure who to look at. Sharon and Edward stood near the door, and Eli was right next to her. June was in the mix as well along with a bunch of nurses. No doctors in sight, though Bridget had come to realize they often made themselves scarce.

  They’d signed off on her paperwork, discharging her so long as she had a place to go where she wouldn’t be alone, and that was what led them to this moment. How the hell her parents had figured out she was being discharged was beyond her, that or they had really bad timing, but she’d wanted to go home by herself. She’d planned to have Eli take her out of the hospital and drop her at her house, and she’d find a way to get up the damn stairs to her bedroom.

  God, she just wanted her own fucking bed for one night.

  Sharon put her hand out, stopping the chatter and instructions for care. Bridget’s stomach dropped, and she was desperate to put a stop to whatever disaster was about to happen. Yet, she couldn’t. Her mother sucked the words right out of her every time. She sat on the edge of the bed, watching the fury in her mother’s eyes.

  “Where is she going to be staying?” Sharon’s voice pierced the air.

  “We thought she was going to your house,” the nurse to Bridget’s right spoke up.

  Grimacing, Bridget stared wide-eyed as her plans fell apart right in front of her eyes. She had to put a stop to it, but she was so exhausted from the nightmare last night and struggling with her panic attack. She had to do something to put an end to it. Desperately looking toward Eli, she begged her silently to step in and stop it.

  Sharon’s look hardened, and her anger turned on Bridget. This was worse than she had expected. If she’d talked to her mom first, it would have been less of a fight. All she wanted was for Eli to take her home and leave her alone.

  Eli leaned down, whispering in Bridget’s ear, “You told me you were going to your house.”

  Shaking her head, Bridget gave her a desperate look.

  “Hold on,” Eli answered, straightening her back. “Bridget is going to come stay at Indigo with me. She won’t be alone.”

  “Hardly.” Sharon sneered. “Our daughter will not be staying with you.”

  Eli put her hands on her hips. “I’m pretty sure Bridget gets to answer that question. Where do you want to stay?”

  All eyes turned on her. Bridget’s heart thundered, and she worried she was going to be thrown into another panic attack. June moved in and grasped her hand, holding on as if to center her. Bridget was thankful for the move, but Sharon’s sharp gaze filled her with shame about it. She shouldn’t need anyone’s comfort and support to answer this question. She should just say what she wanted and be done with it. Drama be damned.

  But she couldn’t speak. No matter how many times Bridget tried to get her voice to work, no words came out. She was silent in her defense of what she wanted.

  “That’s it. She’s coming home with us, as short notice as it is.” Disdain leached from every word.

  Bridget shook her head and took comfort in June’s tightening grip. “No. I want to go with Eli.”

  Sharon snorted, crossing her arms, her eyes pure fury. “You won’t go with that girl.”

  Eli straightened her spine. “I hardly think I’m a girl, Sharon. And Bridget has spent more nights at my house than you probably remember.”

  Surely Sharon wouldn’t make a spectacle of herself in front of all these people. She wouldn’t dare say what Bridget thought she would, she wouldn’t lob those accusations in Eli’s direction in the middle of a room filled with witnesses.

  “Bridget will be perfectly safe at my house. She can have the spare room, and there’s easy access to everything on one floor.”

  “You live in the middle of the country,” Edward started. “What will you do if she needs to see a doctor?”

  “The same thing I would do with anyone who needed to see a doctor. I’ll take her to the doctor.” Eli crossed her arms, stubbornly, but she didn’t move from Bridget’s side.

  June moved to step between them, but Bridget held her back and shook her head. “I want to stay with Eli, so that’s where I’m going to stay.”

  “You will not stay with her.” Sharon scrunched her nose in Eli’s direction.

  Bridget clenched her jaw. “I’m an adult, as much as you don’t want to admit it, and I am going to stay where I want to stay.”

  “I won’t allow you to leave this hospital with her. You’re my child, and you’ll come home with me.”

  “I won’t do it. I’ll stay here longer if I have to, but I’m not going home with you.” Something had happened, and Bridget finally found her voice. Eli nodded at her in appreciation, and pride bloomed in Bridget’s chest. “I’m going with Eli, and I would appreciate it if you and Daddy didn’t come visit me while I’m healing. I hear it’s not good to be agitated when you’re trying to rest.”

  Sharon’s jaw dropped. Eli snickered behind her hand, and June stepped between them then. She let go of Bridget’s hand and moved to block her from her parent’s view. “I think Bridget is right in one way, none of this energy is good for her healing. Let’s talk about this outside, shall we?”

  “She’s our daughter!” Sharon screeched, and Bridget knew they were all about to be in for the rage she’d been holding in. “She won’t go with that woman. She’ll be corrupted if she goes with her.”

  Bridget’s stomach twisted hard, sharp pain filling it. She hated when her mother talked about Eli like that. She’d heard it far too many times over the years to count, and yet she’d never stood up to defend her best friend. Not when they were teenagers, and not even now. The words escaped her again. The pride she’d just felt vanished in the blink of an eye.

  June and the nurse stepped between her parents and Bridget. They walked them out of the room, shutting the door behind them. Eli collapsed onto the side of the bed, sighing heavily. “If you needed some place to go that wasn’t with them, you should have just asked.”

  “I know.” Embarrassment filled her, not for the first time since she’d come to the hospital. She hated being the center of attention, and she hated being in her parents’ line of fire just as much if not more. She just wanted everyone to be peaceful with each other and to let her do what she wanted, which was to go home and be by herself.

  “So they won’t release you unless you stay with someone?”

  Bridget nodded. “I can’t…I can’t even go to the bathroom by myself right now because I can’t get my pants down. It’s ridiculous, Eli. I hate it.”

  “We’ll figure it out. I promise, I won’t let you go with them unless you really want to.”

  “I don’t.” Bridget nearly broke. “I don’t want to go with them. I can’t—I can’t be stuck with them. I’ll never get out.”

  “Then you’ll come with me. I did lie, though—I don’t have a bedroom on the main floor anymore.”