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Bridget’s stomach swirled.

“Let’s just get to know each other, okay?”

“Okay,” Bridget agreed, though she wasn’t entirely sure why she did it. “What are we going to do then?”

“Mostly we’re going to talk and listen.” Jerica grinned. “Then I don’t know, maybe we can eat something, or go out on the deck. There’s supposed to be a storm coming in we can watch, but really, I want to spend time with you.”

“I can do that,” Bridget whispered, unsure where her voice had gone except that the tenacity of this woman had stolen it. Bridget, for some reason, was perfectly comfortable with that.

“Good.” Jerica leaned against Bridget’s good side. “I have a sister.”

“Oh, we’re starting with family?”

“Why not?”

Sighing, Bridget grimaced. “I have a sister and a brother. I’m the youngest and the disappointment.”

“Hmm…is your sister as bitchy as mine?”

Bridget snorted. “She thinks the world revolves around her, and our parents gave her anything she wanted. I had to work for what I wanted.”

“Isn’t it usually the opposite? The youngest gets everything and the oldest has to work for it?”

“I think so.” Bridget reached over and threaded their fingers together. “But I was a surprise, and Mom didn’t want another kid. Her conservative beliefs prevented her from doing anything about it, however, so she just punished me for the rest of my life.”

“I’m sorry.” Jerica gave her hand a squeeze. “My sister almost died.”

“What?”

“She was engaged to this guy, and it got bad. He killed himself and tried to take her down with him I guess. I was working that night when she came in. It was a bloody mess.”

“I’m so sorry.” Bridget kept her hand firmly on Jerica’s. “I’ve seen my fair share of mangled bodies.”

“I suppose you would have.”

“Yeah. The worst was when a loader got stuck, the farmer went to try and get it unstuck, and it smashed down on top of him. His wife found him, and I can still hear her screams if I think about it too long.”

Jerica’s look was soft, but Bridget detected no pity in her gaze. “I can’t imagine walking onto that scene.”

“It was a mess, as you said.” Bridget shifted, her ankle bothering her until she could get it in a better spot. “Did you grow up out here?”

“I did.” Joy flashed across Jerica’s face. “I went to Hays for school and came right home, finding my dream job in the ER. I never wanted to work in any other department.”

“Really?”

“Nope. I like the fast pace and never knowing what to expect.”

“Same here.” Bridget found herself smiling, and it felt good. So much better than staring at the white ceiling of her bedroom. “It’s as if every day is different.”

“It is.”

They fell into a quiet silence, but it wasn’t awkward or tense. It was gentle and oddly soothing. They talked on and off for hours that day, Eli bringing them lunch and then Jerica helping Bridget up the stairs so they could sit out on the deck.

Jerica pressed against Bridget’s side, her hands wrapped around Bridget’s arm as they watched the thunderstorm come in. The sky darkened, and the breeze turned colder. The conversation took meandering turns, and they were hours into their second date, albeit unofficial, when Bridget realized she was relaxed for the first time in as long as she could remember. Years for sure.

“Hey,” Bridget interrupted.

“Yeah?” Jerica turned her face up to look Bridget in the eye.