mall it could barely be called one. A faded woode

int and a flickering neon vacancy sign. She stepped inside the office and paid cash for a

m s

d a rickety dresser, but it would do. She dropped her suitcase at the foot of the bed and st

t out. She neede

ndow, promising hot coffee and home cooking. Claire crossed the street w

p. A few locals occupied the counter stools. A young couple sat in the back booth, eating burgers and laughing. It was t

at, Claire took a b

ilver hair approached her with a note

ated. "Do yo

. "Sure do. I'll

nk y

e past the frosted glass. Locals came and went. Most didn't notice her. She like

Claire shook her head. "No, thank you. Actually

eeled boots. "Well, not much goin' around this time of year. But I did hear the Whitlock Ranc

smile. "Still, could

"Head west down that main road 'til the pave

he car, she studied the directions. How hard could ranch work

etal gates and a wooden sign that read: Whitlock Ranch. She parked outside and wa

toward her car, a voic

I hel

tu

a dusting of snow on his hat and boots. His flannel shirt wa

throat

t be hiring. I'm looki

a quiet, observant eye. His gaze lingered just a se

orked a ran

'm a quick

"Come on, then. I'

standing by his front door, with bruises on her face and hau

showed her to the winter stables, where most

pair of old thick work gloves. "Come

ly briefly befor

ked hard, even though her body clearly ached. He could see it in the way she moved. But she didn't complain on

e glanced over and offered her a small smile

eathless laug

pat her shoulder like he would anyone he worked

e, her breath coming hard and fast

oming more panicked by the s

turned

already in her car, tires spinning slight

r his breath slamming his h

have kno

he was storming out. "You alright, son?"

was more focused on apologising to Claire. He

her. He found her yellow Beetle parked outside Room Six. He

wice. But st

ted to say I'm sorry. I

eart thundering in the way that made her nauseous for the first time since she arrived in this p

is it?" Her voice was small, with fear evid

u. From t

silence

autiously, she

ed on her, her bruises, the way she kept her arms crossed protectively over her chest.

is motel... it ain't safe.

d. "It's all I can a

ssure though ok. Just... please think about it." She wanted to believe the truth in his words, but how could

nswer, just kept her eyes on th

lright. Get some rest, hopefully I'll see ya soon." He left without another w

the nightmar

ands. The slap. The c

g for breath. She couldn't stay here, she knew that. By sunrise, she was packed, back on the

gainst the early light. And this time, he wasn't alone. A kind-faced woman, older and petite

oman said, stepping forward

ging a quiet, "It's

e. Come on, I'll show you." Beau walked beside he

ructure with a wide front porch and ivy creeping along the side. It wa

yourself at home, honey. And when you're ready, come

ftly, her voice thick with

was left alone to settle in, Beau was alre

But damn it, there was something about her. The way she held her head high, even when it was clear the weight of the world rested on her shoulders. The q

and having to dress up as Santa for the Christmas parade year before last. He teased her gently about the way she held a pitchf

anted to hear it

ked her hair behind her ear, or the determined furrow of her brow, made somethi

ps twitch with a smirk. What kind of tea or coffee she liked, how she scratched behind t

o memorise t

flinched when surprised, still kept her distance when someone moved too fast, b

something to hide. He'd noticed it the day they met. She was constantly adjusting her top, fidgeting if it

ad made her feel like she had something to be asham

woman who, despite it all, was showing up. Who worked hard and tried even harder. Who had the kind of beauty that was impossible to overlook-the quiet, steady kind that

ithout meaning to, she was f

sweat, her hair pulled back in a loose ponytail, an

ed up," she said, brush

o fade. Even long after she disappeared into the

her son with curious eyes as he paced by

her," she

turning. "I di

her arms, leaning against the door

ad. Real bad. And I can see she's strong. The kind of strong that comes from surv

nce I've seen you look at someone like that. Invite her to dinner, Beau.

grateful. "

, Claire answered with damp hair and a towel still

quickly. "I didn't rea

"Just wanted to invite you up to the house for

are you sure? I mean,

e part of the ranc

han it should have. She nodded slowly

roasted chicken and potatoes. Claire sat stiffly at first, waiting for the q

ey nev

Beau as a kid. And Beau... Beau just watched her with that soft, kind smile of his. It wasn't the kind of smile that a

minded herself that this wasn't Alaric. This wasn't her old life. This was different. He wa

friendly, hear

ice of pie to take back with her. "In case

ful smile. The simple kindness

sky full of stars. Claire looked up at the Montana sky, wide and endl

against his bedroom door, arms cros

trouble. D

didn't ju

eady start