Neither said a word as Anna tried to speak.
“I’m alive, Stacy. That’s all that really matters right now.”
* * * *
Stacy headed downstairs and into the large kitchen. She told Anna that she needed to see a doctor, and of course, she refused. So Stacy threatened her, and Anna finally agreed to let Eric and Max’s cousin, Charlie, take a look at her injuries. Despite the fact that he was a veterinarian, Charlie had served in the war as a medic. He handled all the first aid around the ranch.
Stacy let the coffee brew and stared out the window over the sink.
She watched the men riding horses and saw Charlie and Ben.
The tears welled up in her eyes. What the hell happened in New York? She’d never seen Anna so frightened or so unwilling to discuss it with her. And those injuries were so bad. How the hell did she travel like that?
“Hey, darling, didn’t you hear me?” Eric asked as he entered the kitchen.
Stacy jumped at the sound of the raised voice. She was so deep in thought that she hadn’t heard him.
As soon as they locked gazes, the tears rolled down her cheeks. Eric was immediately in front of her, pulling her into an embrace.
She sobbed against his chest, and he held her tight.
“Talk to me, baby. How’s Anna really?”
Stacy pulled away a little and wiped her eyes.
“She’s hurt bad. I don’t know the gist of it, but her injuries are bad. She hasn’t had any medical attention. She refused, but I did convince her to let Charlie look at her.”
“That’s my girl.”
“I think her father had something to do with it.”
“Motherfucker!”
“Exactly. But she won’t tell. All she said was that she was alive.”
The tears flowed again, and Eric pulled her close again.
“Where is she now?”
“She’s taking a shower. I told her I would get Charlie, but I think it’s gonna be awkward. She won’t talk about what happened, so we’ll have to let Charlie know ahead of time.”
“No need, Stacy. I heard.”
They both looked toward the doorway, where Charlie and his brother Ben now stood.
“Well, why don’t we make some lunch. That way, when Anna comes down, she won’t feel uncomfortable,” Eric suggested.
“That’s a good idea. Who knows when she ate last. She seemed real weak and exhausted. I don’t think she’s slept since she left New York, but it’s just a feeling,” Stacy added, and when she looked at the men, they all had scowls on their faces.
“Please don’t scare her, fellas.”
* * * *
Anna felt a lot better after the shower. The scent of the men was nearly eliminated from her nostrils. It had been tricky and a bit painful to raise her arms and wash her hair, but she was determined to get it done herself. Even the water hitting her body caused pain. Her stomach growled, and she recalled the last time she ate anything. She was on the plane in coach and had a handful of peanuts and a soda. It was the last flight out to Texas, and from there, she took a bus. It had been a long journey of thinking about her life and what could have happened. The tears stung her eyes. Her father sold her without a bat of the eye.
She put on the T-shirt and lounge pants that Stacy had given her. Of course, they were too big and too long. She opted for the pair of shorts instead. Stacy was five foot six, and Anna was five foot two. The one thing they had in common was their abundant breast size, so at least the top had room and the bra fit well.
Glancing at herself in the mirror, she felt as terrible as she looked.