Page 49 of Fractured Grief (Hope’s Ridge #2)

Seb

M y poor Sunshine. He’d been through so much and carried it all by himself.

Even when Lexi was around, they’d dealt with so much at such a young age. They were thrust into adulthood and all the responsibilities of parenthood. It’s no wonder he was coming apart at the seams.

I was still reeling from the fact that I was here. I could drive!

I was still in awe of Atticus’s thoughtfulness and his and Bodhi’s sneaky plans for this surprise.

I was beyond grateful, and as I gazed down at Indy in my arms, I didn’t think I could thank them enough.

Not only for my independence, but also for my ability to be present for Indy. Not just today but in the future.

I could get to him when he needed me, and that settled the protective beast inside me .

The movie played on the TV as I continued to watch Indy, content to have him in my arms. So much had changed since we’d met, not just in my recovery but in my soul, my life.

He’d opened my heart to all the possibilities of what sharing a life could offer.

It didn’t take long for me to fall asleep, too, with Indy’s weight on my chest.

I was startled awake by the sound of a phone ringing. Indy was sleepily scrambling to snatch it up and answer it.

“Hello,” he gasped. “Is Hazel okay?”

I scrubbed a hand down my face, willing myself to wake up as Indy went white as a sheet.

“What’s wrong? Is Hazel okay?” I asked, panic creeping up my throat.

“She’s fine…not Hazel,” he croaked, pulling the phone away from his ear to see the caller ID. It was a Wyoming area code, which tickled something in the back of my brain. Wasn’t Indy from Wyoming?

Color was returning to his cheeks, but he still looked so unsure.

“Grace, slow down,” Indy trembled, “Start again, please.”

I had no idea what was going on or who Grace was. I pulled him onto my lap and gently stroked his back while I listened patiently.

“That’s bullshit,” he exclaimed, suddenly.

Indy rarely swore, so whatever this was must be serious. His tone had put me on edge.

“No, no, you can’t stay there another minute.

I can’t believe they’re still treating their children like property.

I need you to take a breath. Okay, good.

Do you think you could pack your stuff and start driving today?

I can send you some money, and you can stay with us for as long as you need.

Please don’t go back to them or him, and don’t let anyone know you’re leaving.

I’m so sorry you’re going through this,” he paused before whispering. “Did Lexi know?”

I couldn’t tell from the silence that followed whether Lexi knew whatever had happened or not, but when Indy finished the phone call with the promise to check in in an hour, he was vibrating with rage.

“Those fucking people are despicable,” he screamed as he jumped up and started pacing. “They threw away one daughter like trash and let the other be abused. Disgusting, vile people. Argh!”

“Hey, talk to me. What happened?” I asked as I went to him and pulled him into a hug.

He pulled back and took a few deep breaths, gripping my forearms for strength.

“That was Lexi’s younger sister, Grace. She’s the only nice one in that family.

She’s only twenty-two, but it sounded like she was forced to marry someone who had been abusing her.

She finally escaped to her parents’ house with a visible black eye and cracked ribs, and her parents didn’t believe her.

They even had the audacity to call her abuser to come pick her up.

They wouldn’t let her leave their house; they even blocked the doors.

Who, who does that to their own child, when the evidence is staring you right in the face? ”

Wow, that sounded horrific, and Indy was getting worked up again. He started pacing and cursing under his breath.

“What can we do? Do you know where she is?” I needed more information.

He deflated right before my eyes. “She said she’s been trying to get hold of me for months.

Lexi’s number was no longer connected, and she even went around to the house we used to live in.

It was only from the crematorium that she found my number.

She had to break in to get it. The poor thing. I had no idea.”

I wrapped Indy in my arms again, and he melted against me. “It’s okay, sweetheart. We’ll work this out. Where is she now?”

“She said she was squatting in her car at the coal mine she used to work at. But that’s still in Wyoming and kind of illegal.

She said she has most of the things she’ll need and could leave straight away.

Hold on, I’ve got to text her my address.

” Indy picked up his phone and sent a quick text.

“I don’t really have any extra room here, but the couch is comfortable, and anything sounds better than how she’s been living. ”

“Okay, so she’s on her way. Do you think her ex or her family is likely to come after her?

” This situation was feeling eerily similar to Bodhi’s.

I wondered if we should let Max, my town’s Sheriff and surrogate Uncle, know straight away, but if she was going to stay in Missoula, it wasn’t Max’s jurisdiction.

“I don’t know. I don’t know who she married. I haven’t spoken to her in a year. She was the only one to reach out to me after Lexi’s death announcement. We just had a private service in my backyard, just me and Hazel. Grace was the only one to rsvp, but she didn’t make it. I guess now I know why.”

My heart broke for Indy. How could no one have come to Lexi’s memorial? Not even her parents. It sounded like Lexi’s parents and the whole town were horrible human beings. I was glad he’d escaped.

“Maybe we could hold a Mnemosyne for Lexi. We could plant a tree, and you, Hazel, and Grace can say goodbye. You could share stories of Lex. You know, Ma and I would take care of everything for you,” I whispered. “Just think about it.”

I knew he had a lot on his mind. Maybe Greek traditions weren’t something he’d thought of, but everyone deserved to be celebrated. Lexi, especially, was worth honoring.

“Thank you, Seb,” he said. “Thank you for everything. For being here. For being my support. I don’t think I could have handled that conversation without you beside me. ”

“I’m sure you could,” I stated. “You’re incredibly strong, Indy. Stronger than you give yourself credit for. You’ve survived so much and you’re still standing and still an extraordinary man.”

Indy’s beautiful face flushed at my words, as more tears welled in his eyes. It had been an emotional couple of days, and now we’d have to worry through the night as we waited for Grace to arrive.

“How about we sort out some dinner, and you call Hazel. I think you need to hear her voice,” I said as I checked Uber Eats.

Indy checked the time. “Good idea. She should be getting ready for bed anyway. I’m surprised we napped for so long.”

“You clearly needed it.” I smiled at him. “What do you feel like for dinner? My treat.”

“I need some comfort food. There’s a diner just down the road. Would you be up for going out?” he asked.

“If that’s what you want, absolutely,” I beamed at Indy, and his answering smile warmed my soul. He was incredible, and no matter what life threw our way, we’d face it together.