Bonus Epilogue
Today is the day.
Wyatt and I have worked tirelessly with Ryder to make our tiny cabins into something beautiful. Something that allows me to work with my brother, on the legal side of the business, and bring honor back to the Chiave name.
Walking through the cabin I lived in myself, in need of the same thing we want to offer others, I'm being extra critical of everything we’ve done.
“Goddess, everything is perfect. Stop stressing out so much.” Wyatt pulls me in for a hug, kissing my forehead when I walk past.
“It needs to be more than perfect for these women. They need a calming place to heal and get their first full breath of freedom.”
The biggest shock for me in all this planning has been Tiffany coming onto the team to help.
Adam came to us, asking if we could give Tiff a chance because of her non-profit background in therapeutic services.
I didn't have many resumes coming in for people to work in Balsam Cliffs. When you added in that they’d have to live here in town due to the times we'd need to be available, it made the talent pool impossibly smaller.
So, I gave her a chance. And she's been more than amazing.
She even apologized to Wyatt for her behavior before me.
She and Adam have been together since Wyatt and I started dating.
They're getting married next month, and I'm thrilled for her.
As annoying as Adam was for Wyatt when he started at the department, he's been so good to Tiffany, giving her the space to really find and grow her self-confidence.
He worships the ground she walks on like a true example of our own mission here at our non-profit.
“I'm so sorry we're late!” Tiff yells on her way in.
It's almost nine at night, but Ripp is escorting the first tenant of The Freedom Haven to her new home after escaping a situation with her husband, one all too similar to mine with James.
James, who now sits in a cold jail cell alongside some of Hugh’s other ride-or-die lackeys that didn't like Ryder and Damon's new business model.
“You’re right on time,” I say, pointing down the driveway at the SUV’s headlights bouncing along the dirt path.
As a timid woman covered in bruises climbs out of the back seat, her shoulders drop when she sees Tiff and I. It’s important for us that we don’t bring the men over here until we know someone feels comfortable with them. So, for now, they’re at the house.
“Welcome to The Freedom Haven. We are so glad to have you here.” I welcome her with my hands clasped in front of me. As much as I want to reach out to squeeze her, you never know how these women will respond to physical touches or advancements.
“Thank you.” Her voice is barely above a whisper, and I don't miss the protective way Ripp guides her along with his large palm splayed across her lower back.
Tiff shows her around the cabin while I stay out on the porch with Ripp.
“Give me everything I need.”
“Parents are both deceased. Her brother took custody of her when she was sixteen and he was twenty-five. Used her as a pawn to further his political agenda by arranging her marriage to some asshole politician in Nevada who needed a sweet and dutiful wife to save his public image. Reminds me a lot of you, honestly, just without the sass. She could use a confidence booster for sure. Even before her parents' deaths, they treated her as a photo op and nothing more.” His fists clench by his side as he recounts this poor woman’s life story.
“Got it. And you're staying with her?” I watch him out of the corner of my eye and smirk when I ask the question. The plan was never for them to stay. They’re supposed to drop the clients off, give us the needed information, and disappear.
But I can see Ripp won't be letting anyone near her until he believes she’s ready.
“Sure am. Don't care what Ryder says. If he saw what I did when I went into that house to save her, he wouldn't either. She barely trusts her own shadow.”
Nodding, I agree with his assessment. I can see that just from the few moments I've watched her. “But she trusts you?”
“I've worked for it,” he says, crossing his arms over his chest.
“I can see that. Are you really ready to fight Ryder and Damon? Because they're going to lose their shit with you for falling in love with a client.”
He doesn't answer and I leave him with his own thoughts. He needs a moment to process what I said and, most likely, figure out the things he won’t let himself feel.
I can't wait to sit back and watch all of this unfold. Just like me, she’ll find her fresh start here in these woods.
But maybe she won’t be the only one.