41. Indiana
I ’ve been at the bakery for three hours, and Winnie and I have consumed two chocolate croissants and almost a whole loaf of strawberry bread.
After picking flowers for us to press into these little books I ordered for me and Hazel, I left feeling lighter and more grounded than I have in almost a year.
Hearing Hazel say she loves me has had me on cloud nine all afternoon.
I’ll be having dinner with Florence tonight to go over the designs I made for the hotel website and take some moody shots of the interior. I’ll save the rooms and lobby photos for during the day so I have better natural light.
“So he just painted the house for you without you even having to ask?”
“He did. Rhett is big on grand gestures. He kind of had to be. I made it difficult to get close to me for a while. I just couldn’t admit to myself that things might work out for the best. I’m a work in progress.”
“Understandable. I went almost a whole year without admitting that my sister wasn’t here anymore.” I freeze. “Sorry, that was dark.”
Winnie reaches across the counter and grabs my hand.
“I hate that she isn’t here. I hate that you have to miss her.
” I love that she doesn’t say she’s sorry.
It’s not that someone saying it makes me upset or uncomfortable; it’s more that Winnie is thoughtful in talking about loss.
Having been through it at such a young age, I’m sure she’s heard it all.
“Thanks, Win.”
“Knox isn’t the only one who loves you, you know?”
I nod. “I love you too. You’ve welcomed me in with such grace in a time when I needed it so badly. Thank you.”
“Oh my god, don’t make me cry.”
“Sorry. I just want you to know what taking a chance on me has really meant for my life. For the first time in a very long time, I’m starting to see more light in the world than darkness.” Her smile is sweet—just a little watery.
“Yeah, that seems about right. Silverthorne may just be a small town, on a map in Colorado, but it’s helped to heal more than one wandering soul.”
“I’m happy to have landed here, and right now, I’m really happy to be in this bakery with the most amazing pastries I’ve ever had.”
She huffs out a laugh. “Aw, shucks. You really think so?”
I spend another hour here, talking over some events that we could host. Having a few baking workshops and possibly offering the space for classes would be a really fun way to give back to the community. Winnie agreed and is already blocking out some time in the schedule.
“Alright, I’m off to my next job,” I tell her.
“You’re an angel. I know Lo really appreciates you helping her out. Between you and me, I think she’s working on something but hasn’t told anyone yet. That’s why she’s so excited for you to revamp the website.”
“Consider me intrigued. I may needle her for information,” I say, grabbing my running bag and swinging the strap over my head.
“Bye, Indie. Tell Baby Lo hi for me—and maybe don’t tell her I just called her Baby Lo,” she says, and I laugh.
“I’ll try not to let it slip out. Bye, Win.”
I’m thinking about hosting a photography course as I walk over to the hotel.
If more people start being interested in my service, that is.
My stomach growls, reminding me I’m starving, so I’m looking forward to my dinner with Lo.
The town is quiet besides the music coming from AJ’s.
The hotel is all lit up with warm amber light spilling out from the windows.
I push open the glass door and hear the clinking of glasses from the restaurant, smell the wood furniture polish mixed with leather.
“Hi, welcome to The Holloway Hotel. I’m Marilyn. How can I help you?” a pleasant voice calls from behind the check-in counter.
“Hi, Marilyn. I’m Indiana. I’m supposed to meet Florence here for dinner. Do you know where I can find her?”
“She was in her office, but she was worried someone had thrown out some papers she needed. If you follow the hallway, you’ll either come across her in the office there, or you can open the back door and see if she’s there.”
“Perfect. Thanks, Marilyn.” I walk down the hall and look at some of the photos on the wall.
They’re so cool. There are some vintage landscapes and a few photos of the original owners of the hotel.
I grin, loving the vibes. I peek my head into the office and find it vacant.
Lo must still be out back. I debate whether I should just wait here, but there’s a nagging feeling in my stomach.
It’s most likely nothing, but I’m compelled to open the back door.
Move, Indiana!
I look back from where I came and see nothing that should cause the hair on the back of my neck to stand up. I’m probably overreacting, but the pull I feel is undeniable. Slowly, I make my way to the back door when I hear a crash. I flinch back away from the door.
Please, Indie! You have to run!
The feeling washing over me is not something I can ignore though. Not something I can brush off. Taking a deep breath, I fling open the heavy wooden door as hard as I can. The sound of it swinging back into the building reverberates off the bricks.
Stepping out of the hotel, I look down the small alleyway. What I see turns my veins to ice, but this time, I don’t freeze.
Run, Indiana! We have to run! And I do.
Without another thought, I reach inside my bag, leaping down the concrete steps.
I run faster than I ever have in my life, launching onto the man's back, screaming as loud as I possibly can. He struggles but won’t let go of her.
He throws an elbow at me, catching my brow, but I refuse to let up, hitting his head as hard as I can with one hand.
“Help! Call 911! Help!!” I scream over and over, praying someone hears me. Then I flip the safety switch on the taser in my hand, pressing it into him until he falls over, twitching and rolling away from us.
My eyes snap back to Lo. “Florence! Oh my god, Florence! Help! Someone help!” Leaning over her, my hands hover over her neck, her body.
Her eyes are open, but she isn’t moving, isn't saying anything. I’m afraid to move her.
I don’t know how badly she’s injured. I don’t know what he did to her. Bile crawls up from my stomach.
No. Focus on Florence. Help Florence. She cannot die. I won’t let someone else die.
“Florence, can you hear me? Don’t move, you’re hurt. Please blink if you can’t talk.”
She blinks, and I sob.
“You’re going to be fine, Lo.” I reach into my bag, searching for my phone, when I hear a voice call from behind me. Whipping around with my taser in hand, I see that it’s Marilyn. When I look back, the man is gone. Scanning the trees, I see a figure disappear into them. Shit.
“Florence! Oh my god, what happened? Is she okay?” she asks, hand coming up to cover her mouth.
“Call 911! She’s been attacked.” She pulls her cell phone out and holds it to her ear.
I relay everything I know to the paramedic on the phone.
Florence still hasn’t spoken. Marilyn is sitting on her other side now.
I find my phone and dial Knox’s number, not knowing who else to call.
I turn slightly, and Florence’s hand shoots out, grabbing my arm tightly.
“I’m not going anywhere, Lo. I’m staying right here, okay?”
“Hey, honey. I didn’t think you would be done so soon.”
“Knox?” my voice breaks saying his name. Just hearing his name brings me some tiny piece of comfort right now.
“What’s wrong? Where are you?”
“I’m at the hotel. I’m fine but—” An ambulance siren sounds close by.
“But what, Indie? I’m losing my mind here.”
“Florence was attacked. At the back of the hotel. I got him off her, but he hurt her. ”
“You got him off her? Is she okay?”
“Not completely, but she’s alive. I’m so sorry. They’re taking her to the hospital now. I’m riding with her.”
“I’ll be there soon,” he says before hanging up. I look at Florence, she has tears streaming down her cheeks when the paramedics ask me to stay back. She clutches my arm tighter.
“I can’t leave her. Just tell me where to move,” I tell them.
I sit there while they evaluate her, then I walk into the ambulance, staying beside her on the metal bench, letting her squeeze my hand while tears make a line from the corner of her eye to her ear. Reaching out, I swipe them away with my sleeve.
“I’m here, Baby Lo. I’m here.” She blinks in response.
When we get to the emergency entrance, I hold her hand until they take her through the doors that I’m not allowed through. I pass her hand to Marigold and then sit in the waiting room.
The police arrive soon after, and I’m asked multiple questions, answering them as best I can. They ask for my taser, and I hand it over to them.
“We have search teams out looking for a man who fits the description of the clothes that you gave us. If you remember anything else about him, please call us at the number on the card we gave you. Is the number you gave us the best one to reach you on if we have any more questions?”
I nod. “Yes, that’s my only phone number.”
“What you did tonight was very brave, Ms. Holmes. You may have saved that young woman’s life.” Both officers nod before leaving through the glass doors. It’s about this time that the whole Holloway clan shows up. Winnie and Rhett are here first. Winnie holds my hand, and Rhett gets me a hot tea.
“Have they checked you out yet? ”
“I’m fine, guys, really. I’m just worried about Florence, and I think the adrenaline is wearing off. I’ll be fine soon.”
“How is she?” Knox asks, coming to a stop in front of me, holding Hazel in his arms.
“She was responding to everything in the ambulance; she just wasn’t speaking. There haven’t been any updates since,” I repeat the same thing to them that I said to Rhett and Winnie earlier.
“Christ. She was attacked? By who?”
“I don’t know. I didn’t recognize him, and I didn’t get a good look at him. I’m sorry, I should have?—”
“No, baby. None of this is on you. You—I can’t believe you just…”
Tom and Mary arrive after that, and I repeat all that I know. It’s only a few minutes after that Marigold comes out with an update for us.
“Florence is physically okay. There is bruising to her neck and chin. No concussion,” she says. Thank God. “ She’ll have a sore throat, and it may be painful for her to speak for a few days, but she’s going to make a full recovery.”
“Can we see her?” Mary asks.
“Yes. She’s awake and alert. I’m going to prescribe her something to sleep, and she shouldn’t be alone tonight.”
“She’ll stay with us,” Tom says.
“Alright, follow me.” I stand but reach for Hazel.
“I’ll stay out here with Hazel. You all can go ahead.” Knox hands her over to me, and I sit back into my chair with her, letting her cuddle into me with her blanket. He leans down and kisses me. It’s quick but firm and very welcome.
“I love you.”
“I love you,” I reply.
I hold Hazel’s head to my shoulder with one hand and pat her back softly with the other.
When Ivy and Alder walk in, I tell them which room Florence is in. Ivy hugs me and Hazel tightly after I repeat the events of the evening. As awful as it is to relive the fear and the panic, if it helps them to hear it, I’ll keep telling them what happened.
“Indie, you could have been injured as well,” Ivy says.
“I could have been,” I repeat.
“I’m so glad you’re okay. Has someone checked on you yet?” Alder asks.
“I don’t think I need to be seen; I’m fine.” It’s true for the most part. The headache that’s coming on is a small price to pay to make sure Florence was okay.
Hazel is dozing when Knox comes back out.
“How is she?” I whisper.
“She’s okay. Shaken and sore, but she’s going to be alright.” The relief at hearing that makes my shoulders relax. When they do, I start to feel a little soreness in my muscles. I must have been tensing them since the hotel.
“She’s okay,” I repeat.
“Thanks to you. She still isn’t talking.
Her throat hurts too badly, but she was able to write down what happened.
I guess the fucker surprised her, yanked her to the ground, and then started choking her.
” His jaw is clenched so tight, I’m worried he’ll break his teeth.
I shudder. “She said she fought for a minute but then her vision started going fuzzy. She remembers you leaning over her and talking to her. She said she’s able to remember everything,” he tells me quietly.
“She must have been so scared. I should have gone out there sooner. I had this awful feeling, but I didn’t listen to my instincts quickly enough,” I admit. Could I have prevented this?
“She’s alive because of how you reacted, Indie. I don’t know how to thank you for that.”
“I don’t want a thank you, not for something like this. I just want her to be okay.”
“She will be.”
I nod. “Okay.”
“Mom and Dad are taking her home with them, and I need to get Hazel home. Come home with us? Please?”
I nod. “Yes, please.”
I keep hold of Hazel until I buckle her into her car seat, covering her with her blanket. Knox holds open my door for me, stopping me before I get in.
“Are you sure you’re alright, Honey?”
“I'm alright. I’m with you, so I’m alright,” I tell him.
He kisses my lips softly—it’s so painfully gentle—before helping me into the truck. Before we start the drive home, he pulls me into the middle seat and keeps his hand on the inside of my knee when he isn’t using the gearshift. Like he knows I need his touch right now.
I lean the side of my head that wasn’t hit onto his shoulder and let my tears fall silently. Feeling safe enough to let myself feel the effects of tonight.
Knox Holloway is my safe place.