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“Thank you, Miss Howard. Is there anything we can do for you while we’re here?”

The question injected a little life back into her. She’d grown up in a family who despised law enforcement and the controlling hand of authority. Asa and Jennifer weren’t here to dole out punishment; they were here to serve and protect. Considering the mountain of trouble waiting for her outside the hospital, she appreciated their concern.

Though, telling them anything, with or without pain meds, would only make things worse.

“I’m fine. I appreciate you coming by, and I’ll let you know when I’m not taking the medicine.”

Jennifer nodded once and reached out a hand for Thea to shake. “We’ll be in touch.”

Thea shook the hand. “I don’t know where my phone is, but you can get my room number and call here.”

Asa stepped up beside the bed and clasped his hands behind him, showcasing the loaded belt he wore. “I spoke with Brett on our way in. He’s worried about you. Right now, I’d like to know if you believe yourself to be in further danger.”

Thea stared at the officer. He hadn’t asked for any names. Could she get in trouble for answering honestly? “Possibly.”

Asa nodded. “Is anyone else in danger?”

She glanced toward the door. “Brett.”

Asa nodded again and extended a hand for Thea to shake. “I figured as much. Thank you, Miss Howard. I’ll be praying for your quick recovery.” He laid his card on the side table. “Call me if you believe yourself to be in any danger here or if you need anything.”

“Thank you.”

Thea stared at the card as the officers left the room. She was always in danger, but calling for help wasn’t an option.

Less than an hour after the police left, the doctor came in to explain the extent of her injuries. It seemed they were most concerned about her collapsed lung and concussion. She had an ankle brace due to a sprain, and she had brand new stitches from the gash in her arm.

Brett came back in shortly after she spoke with the doctor, but they didn’t have much time alone with the nurses flowing in and out of the room.

Thea’s recovery would take weeks. That was the part that gnawed at her mind throughout the morning. How was she going to get back to Alabama? Without her phone, how could she let her boss know what was going on?

Worse than the recovery was the question of where her phone had been lost. It was pass-code protected, but if someone were able to bypass it, they’d easily be able to find out where she’d been hiding out all this time. Depending on who got that information, it could mean an end to the fresh start she’d worked so hard to protect.

The nurse left again, promising to be back soon, and Brett pulled up a chair beside her bed.

“You okay?”

Thea shook her head. “Not even a little bit.” She cleared her throat. “You need to go home and change clothes.”

He looked down at his blood-stained shirt. “I’ll have Linc bring me something when he gets off work.”

“Who’s Linc?” There’d been a time when they’d known all the same people. Now, she had no idea who Brett spent his time with.

“Lincoln North.” Brett grinned and shook his head. “We live in one of the wranglers’ cabins at the ranch. I’m currently shopping for a new roommate.”

“You don’t like him?” Thea asked, desperate to find out all of the things she hadn’t known in the last five years.

“I do. He’s a good guy. He’d do anything for anyone, but he does all of his good deeds in secret.”

Thea chuckled, and her chest burned like fire. No more laughing.

“Are you okay?” Brett asked, wide-eyed and worried.

“I’m okay. It just hurts. A lot. All the time. Tell me about Linc. I need something to distract me.”

Brett wore his heart on his sleeve and spoke his mind. Being secretive wasn’t in his makeup.

“I bet it’s frustrating for you that he’s so private,” Thea said.