Page 27

Ice settled in my stomach. “Not much. She showed up yesterday out of nowhere. Why?”

Faith was quiet for a long moment, clearly choosing her words carefully. “I found evidence of old injuries. Healedfractures, scar tissue consistent with repeated trauma. Some of it looks to be several years old.”

I remembered those bruises on Piper’s ribs a year ago that she’d claimed were from falling down stairs. And the way she’d flinched when I’d touched her back at the tavern, how she’d moved like someone accustomed to pain. My teeth clenched.

“How old are we talking?”

“Hard to say exactly without X-rays, but I’d estimate the pattern goes back years. Multiple incidents. Some had to have been from when she was a child or teen.” Faith’s voice was gentle but firm. “The good news is that I didn’t find any recent injuries or fresh bruises. Whatever situation she was in before, she’s been out of it for at least a couple months.”

So, right around the time Caleb would have been born. Had becoming a mother finally given her the strength to leave whatever hell she’d been living in?

I scrubbed a hand down my face. “Did you ask her about it?”

“I tried. She deflected, said she was clumsy, had some bad falls over the years.” Faith’s expression told me exactly what she thought of that explanation—the same thing I’d thought of it. “Lachlan, I’ve seen enough domestic violence cases to recognize the signs. Whatever she’s been through, it was significant and prolonged.”

I clenched my hands into fists at my sides. I had no doubt the abuse had been happening when she’d lived in Garnet Bend when she was younger. And, like so many who suffered from abuse as a child, it looked like Piper had fallen into familiar patterns as an adult.

“How can I help her with her current health?” That was what I needed to focus on now.

“Rest. Proper nutrition. And stress reduction, though I realize that’s easier said than done.” Faith pulled a small prescription pad from her bag and scribbled something quickly.“I’m prescribing a vitamin supplement with extra iron. She’s borderline anemic, which explains some of the fatigue and dizziness.”

I took the prescription, my mind churning through implications. “What else?”

“Time. And patience. Trauma like this doesn’t heal overnight, and new mothers often feel like they’re failing, even under the best circumstances.” Faith closed her medical bag with a decisive snap. “She’s going to need support, but she’s also going to need space to feel safe. Don’t push for information she’s not ready to give.”

The warning was clear enough. Whatever secrets Piper was carrying, forcing them out of her wasn’t going to help anyone.

“I need to ask—what’s your relationship to Piper? Are you family? A friend? Is this professional interest or personal? I’m trying to understand the support system she has in place.”

There was no point in dancing around it. “Caleb is my son.”

Faith’s eyebrows rose slightly. “I see. And how long have you known about Caleb?”

“Since yesterday.”

“That’s…quite an adjustment for everyone involved. Congratulations?”

I looked over at Caleb. “Yes, definitely congratulations are in order. Surprised, yes. But not unhappy.”

“Then congratulations with no question mark.” Faith stood, slinging her bag over her shoulder. “I’m going to take off. She should be out in just a second.”

“Thank you, Faith. I owe you one.”

I didn’t know her very well. She’d moved to Garnet Bend just over a year ago, just before I became sheriff. Kept mostly to herself. And, if I wasn’t mistaken, had secrets of her own.

She smiled. “Being one of the first people able to congratulate you on being a father is thanks enough.”

We shook hands, and she turned toward the door.

“Oh, and one more thing. Piper asked me specifically about breastfeeding versus formula feeding. I assured her that while breastfeeding has benefits, formula is perfectly adequate nutrition for babies. A lot of mothers put unnecessary pressure on themselves about this, especially when they’re dealing with other stressors—Piper definitely is. She was almost hysterical about it. I assured her that Caleb looks absolutely fine.”

After Faith left, I stood in my living room staring at the prescription in my hand, trying to process everything I’d learned. Years of abuse. Old fractures and scar tissue. The kind of systematic violence that broke people down piece by piece.

No wonder Piper looked at me like she expected me to hit her when I’d confronted her about the stolen formula. No wonder she’d flinched away from my touch.

The soft sound of footsteps on the stairs made me look up. Piper appeared in the doorway, her hair pulled back in a messy ponytail and her face still pale. She’d changed into different clothes—jeans that hung loose on her frame and a sweater that looked like it had seen better days.

I held up the prescription, watching her face for any reaction. “Here’s the prescription for some vitamins with iron. We can get it filled here in town.”