“We know you’ve been determined to do everything yourself.” Dr. Charlotta Benedict looked around the room, and because she did, Michaela took a moment to do the same. Standing within the embrace of Lewis Benedict, with his cousin and best friend, Randy, at her back, she took in the Benedicts, Kendalls, and even a few of the Jessops she’d met and counted as friends who filled the waiting room.
“We even know why you felt that way,” Shar said. “But no one here questions your right, as a Powell, to lay down your roots in the soil of your family’s homestead. No one here doubts that you belong, nor do any of us doubt your ability to do what needs to be done. You’re a strong woman, one of the strongest I’ve ever known. But, girlfriend, no one was meant to do it all, all by themselves.”
It was an enlightening moment. These were the people who’d overheard and then applauded when Lewis had delivered that no-nonsense edict in the exam room. Looking now at so many who had come here to support her when they’d heard she’d been injured, she understood that she was surrounded not just by friends and not just by Lewis and Randy’s family.
These people, this town, had declared her to be one of them. They were letting her know they were her family, too.
“Thank you. I mean that. I let hateful words that were said in a moment of fear affect me more than I should have.” Then she inhaled deeply and just let it go. “So thank you, all of you. If y’all are willing, I’ll take all the help I can get.”
“I’ll make up a schedule!” Laci Benedict stepped forward, a smile on her face. “So y’all get in touch with me, and we’ll set it up.” Then she stepped closer and hugged Michaela. “Go home and rest. Let these guys do the heavy lifting for a bit. Angela says you don’t come back until Dr. Jessop clears you.”
“Yes, ma’am.”
They didn’t all move in close as Lewis and Randy escorted her through the crowd. But they smiled and patted her right arm, and a couple of people she hadn’t realized were even there—Grandma Kate and Samantha Kendall—gave her gentle but strong hugs. Then they were outside, headed to the first pickup parked at the curb.
Lewis’s truck had a bench seat. Randy lifted her up onto it, and she slid over to the middle. She let him buckle her in and then sighed as Lewis slid behind the wheel and started the engine.
“You’ll have to give us directions, baby girl,” Lewis said.
“Wow. I just realized how much of a hardass I’ve been. I’m sorry. Really.” Lewis’s reasonable request helped her to realize, as not even her girlfriends and their husbands had, how rigid she’d been. I’m ready to take these men as lovers, and they don’t even know where I live.
“Hey.” Randy turned her face to look at him. He had a tissue in his hand and used it to blot the dampness she hadn’t known was there. “None of that, now. We’re not judging you, and we don’t want you to judge yourself either, okay?”
“Okay.” It was a straightforward route from the clinic to her home, so once she’d given the directions, she closed her eyes. The ride passed in silence, but it was a good, comforting kind of silence. Randy held her right hand, and Lewis’s hand rested on her left thigh. She felt surrounded by them, and for the first time in a very long time, she felt completely safe.
“Is this your driveway?”
Michaela opened her eyes and blinked. “It is. It’s a bit long and a little bit curved. You’ll see the house in a moment.”
“Nice trees,” Randy said.
“Thanks, though I can’t take any credit. Jonas Powell, my great-great-grandfather, planted these live oaks when he established his homestead. He didn’t just plant them along the driveway, either. He put several in around the property, including a special one my grandfather dubbed the Legacy Tree. I’ve always loved that tree. It’s…special.”
When the lane dipped, the house came into view. Lewis whistled. She guessed it did look impressive, even for those accustomed to rural living. The barn had been built, aligned with the house, but several hundred feet to the south of it. The lane ran in front of the house and ended at the barn. She parked her car where her father had always parked, in front of the barn. Lewis stopped just shy of being in front of the house.
Randy helped her out of the truck and waited for Lewis to join them. She caught a look between them. When they turned their gazes on her, she knew they liked what they’d seen so far.
“We both can see why you’re determined to stay, sweetheart. This is…this is very nice.” Randy’s words pleased her.
“I felt that way my first day back. I stepped out on the porch to greet the morning sun, and I whimsically imagined the ranch was glad I was here.”
“I don’t think that’s whimsical at all,” Lewis said. “Let’s get you inside. No offense, but you look like you could use a nap.”
“I’m not offended. I could use a nap. I don’t know when I’ve ever felt so draggy.”
“Your body’s had a shock, and you’ve got meds in you,” Randy said.
The guys were so sweet. They were nearly at the door when they stopped. “You did a good job on this porch, Michaela,” Lewis said. “It looks ready to paint.”
“I wanted to paint the house first then see about some stain for it.”
“That works,” he said.
She wasn’t used to having anyone in her house—well, anyone of the male variety of people. Jenny, Bailey, and Tammy had dropped
