“You’re not going back to New York until Frank is located and watched. You’re not risking your life again, Millie. You deserve better, and being in Pearl, taking some time to figure things out, will be best for you right now,” Stacy added.
Millie raised her eyebrows at Stacy’s commanding tone.
“You’ve become quite bossy, Miss Stacy,” Millie teased in an attempt to lighten the atmosphere. She was terrified to return to New York and face Frank. No amount of self-defense training ensured that she could defend herself against someone like Frank.
“You should see how she runs the ranch and now the construction plans. She’s the foreman, not the Lewis men.” Anna covered her mouth to stifle the laugh when Stacy’s mouth gaped open as if shocked by the description. Stacy shook her head.
“I have my men to support me and a baby to raise. I’m sorry if it seems I can be bossy at times. I get things done, don’t I?”
Anna and Millie chuckled.
“Good for you, Stacy. Maybe some of that attitude can rub off onto me. I sure can use it,” Millie added.
“You betcha, honey. So what do you think about our plans?”
“I think it’s a wonderful idea. I am certain there are many women out there who will find out about it and come looking for help. Have you decided on a name yet?” Millie asked.
Anna and Stacy shook their heads.
“We still can’t decide. Tomorrow you’ll meet Lena and Sage. Lena’s involved with the Jones brothers,” Stacy added.
“You mean Kenny, Bryant, Quinn, and Blake?”
“Yep. Lena was living on the streets of Detroit before she ran from a drug dealer that wanted to kill her. It was crazy. I’m sure she’ll share the story with you. She has a lot of insight into the shelters and what fears the women might have,” Anna told Millie.
“Coming to Pearl saved my life and Anna’s life,” Stacy added.
Millie exhaled as she thought about that statement. She looked at her best friends and had the feeling that they were really hoping to convince her to stay in Pearl and live here. But who in their right mind just up and leaves their life and relocates? There were things to consider here. Would she even consider moving back to Pearl if Frank weren’t looking for her? Millie knew she had some serious thinking to do.
“Do you remember when you both came to Pearl?” She stood up and brought her empty cup to the sink.
“I sure do. I was scared and I didn’t know anyone but Stacy,” Anna stated.
Millie faced them as she leaned against the counter.
“Stacy, you remember how pissed off you were about being tricked into coming here to relax and regroup as your boss remained in New York looking for you?”
“How could I forget?”
“Well, then, just think about how difficult this is for me. Pearl was where I was born and raised until I was forced to leave with my mom. Coming back here has brought back a lot of memories, both happy and sad. Just riding through town and seeing all the new store fronts mixed in with the original ones brought tears to my eyes. I swear when I passed by the old Benson ranch I remembered hanging out with Charlie, Sally, and their cousins and going swimming near the water hole.”
“Those sound like fun times,” Stacy added then smiled.
Millie lowered her head then took a deep breath before she stared out the window.
“When I passed by my aunt’s place, I remembered that time my mamma came home and told me that my daddy was gone and never coming back. My life changed that day. I cried for hours and prayed that they would work things out in their marriage. But he never showed. Not a card, not a letter, not a phone call wondering how I was doing. I was his only baby girl.” She ran a fingertip over the baby monitor sitting on the counter.
“Definitely some tough memories there, Millie, but you were just a child. You were innocent and your mamma had to make some tough decisions for you,” Stacy stated.
“It isn’t easy, Stacy. I guess I need to embrace the good with the bad while I’m here. More importantly, I’m struggling with some things right now that I need to handle. I know that you’re both here for me to lean on and all, but I truly need to regroup and gain back some of the self-confidence I had after surviving Frank’s attack. I need to find that woman who gained a fight inside of her that she thought could never be broken down again. I’m weak, ladies. I’m battered, not broken, but feeling beat down and headed in no specific direction.”
“That’s understandable, Millie, and we’re glad that you’re here in Pearl where there are people to keep you safe.” Stacy smiled.
“It will work out, and you’ve been so busy this is a great time to visit and get to know Hope and, of course, our men.” Anna winked.
“Speaking of men, what did you think of Jeremy and Anthony Lewis? Pretty hot stuff, huh?” Stacy teased then winked.
Millie shook her head. “I really didn’t notice.”