“That’s just it,” JoJo said. “I didn’t live to tell about it. I just lived. I can’t remember enough to tell anybody about who did this to me. That man is still out there. He could be doing what he did to me to other women. You and I have tried talking about it, and it’s gotten me nowhere. What else can we do?”
“We really need to try the hypnosis,” Emily said.
“At this point, I’d consider voodoo or witchcraft. Anything to get those memories out of my head.”
Emily laughed. “Well, I’m not qualified for either of those, but I have been known to do some hypnosis. Want to try that at your appointment on Thursday?”
JoJo sighed. “About Thursday…I have to cancel.”
“Are you sure? I mean, we don’t have to do the hypnosis then. We can wait for another visit.”
“No, really, I need to cancel. We have a big event happening this weekend on the ranch. It’s all hands on deck. I have to be here.”
“Is it Lawrence Stover’s big meet and greet that they’re having on Friday? I saw a report on the news about it just a few minutes ago.”
JoJo nodded. Politicians knew how to work the media to get the word out quickly. “That’s the one, only Stover and his sidekick will be arriving tomorrow. His campaign staff arrives on Thursday. So, I need to be here.”
“Understood,” Emily said. “You know, I didn’t schedule any appointments for Friday, and my last appointment on Thursday is around two. I could come out, and we could do the hypnosis session at the lodge.”
“I’m not sure I’ll have time.”
“Well, I’d like to come out anyway and visit with Gunny, RJ and you. Maybe I can help with the events this weekend as well.”
JoJo smiled. “Gunny would love that. I swear you’re one of his favorites.”
“As are you, JoJo, as are you,” Emily said. “That old curmudgeon has a heart of gold.”
“He does. And he collects strays,” JoJo added.
Emily laughed. “And I’m grateful for that. I wouldn’t be the therapist I am today without his help.”
“And I wouldn’t be able to put a roof over my head without the job he gave me.”
“You know he’d put you up at the lodge.”
JoJo smiled. “I know, and he keeps asking when I’m moving in, but for now with my nightmares…it’s best that I’m in my own apartment. That way I don’t disturb him, RJ, or their guests.”
“That’s a good point, but then you also don’t have the support handy when you do have those terrible nightmares.”
“They’re mine,” JoJo said. “I don’t want the others to be involved in them.”
“Ever heard that phrase, no man is an island?” Emily asked.
“Yeah, so?”
“That goes for women too. RJ and Gunny are family. They’d happily help share your burden.”
“Are you trying to get rid of me?” JoJo asked.
Emily chuckled. “Not at all. I just want to help make you whole again. I didn’t know you before, but I can guess you’re only half the person you used to be…walking in shadows, afraid of the dark. RJ and Gunny have enough love in their hearts to help chase away those shadows.”
“I know,” JoJo said. “And Gunny helped by putting me through Krav Maga lessons, and not a day goes by that RJ doesn’t ask for me to open up and tell her what’s wrong.”
“You’re not ready, are you?” Emily said.
“No, it’s still too raw. And though I know it wasn’t my fault and I didn’t ask for it, I still feel embarrassed and humiliated.” JoJo’s throat tightened, and tears welled in her eyes. “They found me naked and buried in the sand.”
“JoJo, we all came into this world naked. Don’t let that bother you. And again, it was not your fault. No woman asks to be raped, and they sure as hell don’t ask to be beaten and left to die.”
The love and kindness in Emily’s voice hit a chord in JoJo. She took a shuddering breath and held back the tears. “The logic in me agrees with you one-hundred percent, but then there’s the emotional side of me that wonders how people will look at me if they know what happened. I don’t want them to think of me as dirty. And I don’t want them to look at me with pity in their eyes.”
“I really wish you’d consider joining the sexual violence survivor’s support group. It really does help to know that you’re not the only one. JoJo, you survived. Not everyone who went through what you have does. And you’re worthy of love and acceptance. Join the group. It’ll help.”
“Again, maybe someday,” JoJo whispered. “I’m just not ready.”
“Neither were they,” Emily said gently. “But they did it.”
“So noted,” JoJo said. “Now, I really have to get to work.”
“And I need to wrap things up and get ready to go home,” Emily sighed. “I’ll see you on Thursday?”
“You bet,” JoJo said. “I’ll let Gunny know you’re coming.”
“Good, I enjoy being outdoors. I can help him do anything he needs done. I owe that man so much.”
JoJo ended the call. She owed Gunny, too. He’d taken her in, no questions.
She hurried over to the Watering Hole where a crowd had already gathered, hollering for drinks and food. Hopefully, she’d get through the evening without another Roy pushing her buttons. Max would be there as well. She might even bump into him a time or two. The thought sent shivers of awareness across her body, and warmth coiled at her center. Since her rape, she hadn’t wanted any man, but Max gave her a sense of hope that one day she would.
Thankfully, the regulars didn’t stay past nine o’clock. They headed back to Fool’s Gold or their ranches for the night since the next day would be another workday.
After they stacked the chairs, mopped the floors and cleaned the kitchen, Gunny, RJ, Jake, Max and JoJo left through the rear exit of
