Epilogue
Sage
“I’m so glad you’re okay,” Indie Jasper, Hazel’s lawyer said, as I ran into her and Chuck leaving the prison.
“Thank you,” I said, shaking her hand. “Were you both just visiting Hazel?”
“Yes,” she said. “And I’m hopeful she will be released early after her parole hearing next month.”
I gave a sigh of relief. “That’s good news. I’m sure Hazel’s looking forward to putting this all behind her.” I looked at Chuck. “Just in time for everyone to return to Thornbrush.”
Chuck’s mustache turned up at its ends as he smiled. “It’s about time we all got back home.”
I said my farewells, went through security, and was escorted to the visitor’s room where Hazel was sitting at a small table waiting for me.
She smiled a big bright smile when she saw me. “I heard you’re a little fighter.”
I sat down across from her. “Who did you hear that from?”
“Chuck.”
I smiled back at her with pride. “Bastard got what was coming.”
“Yeah, he did,” she said honestly, her smile falling slightly.
“So you're up for parole next month? Your lawyer seems hopeful.”
She nodded. “I’m ready.”
“What’s the plan after release? Where will you go?”
Hazel looked down at her bare nails, before glancing back at me. “I’m hoping to get my job back and to return to the only place I’ve ever called home.”
“The ranch?” I asked.
She nodded. “The ranch.”