“I have the time. I’m not leaving you here.” He worked at his laptop at a makeshift office space he’d created at the table. He could totally work from there and so it wasn’t necessary for him to leave until two days from then. After they’d gone to Happy Bend to deal with her bitch of an aunt.

Even if he’d had to back out of his cases, he would have rather done that than have her face any of this on her own. The week with her mother had strengthened her in several ways, but it wore on her. Her mother was not okay. Her medications were stabilized, yes, but she’d lived a long time with a great deal of upheaval and it had taken a toll. Her physical health was also in bad shape. Her liver was shot from having been exposed to years of the medications she’d been on. Her heart was bad. Raven wanted to move her up to Seattle, to a private facility. He’d secretly looked it up and would take care of the costs himself, though he knew it would be a big fight. That kind of care was ridiculously expensive. But if that’s what she wanted and if the doctors approved it, he’d make it happen.

Raven had endured enough heartbreak for multiple lifetimes. He’d do his damndest to spare her any more. Even if she got testy.

But he didn’t think it would come to that anyway. Lena had a life there in Oklahoma City, such as it was. She had physicians who knew her and who she knew and trusted. She had relationships with some of the other patients and the orderlies and other staff she dealt with. It was her life and he knew, deep down, that Raven knew it too.

He’d let her work it through and be there every step of the way.

His mother had checked in several times. The way Raven had backed Liesl at Thanksgiving had forged a bond between the two. He was grateful for it and Raven seemed to be as well. He had only given a small bit of information to his family, not wanting to share until Raven was ready. They knew she was dealing with a family health crisis here, but not anything more specific.

“You have a law practice, Jonah. It’s not like you can just up and take a week off without batting an eye. I don’t want you blowing off work for me.”

“We’ve gone over this. I’m not blowing anything off. I’m working several hours a day here remotely. I don’t have any appearances for two weeks anyway. The motions I needed filed are easily filed through my staff. That’s why I have a staff. My father is a far better attorney than I am; if there’s any problem, he’ll handle it.”

“Have you noticed how you argue with me as easily as breathing now? Think of all the color and adventure I’ve added to your life.”

He looked up from his screen and smiled at her, often surprised at the things she said. At how she got him and teased. Her way of connecting.

“I’ve told you many times, you’re beyond awesome. And you have a nice rack.”

“Always a plus.” Her phone rang and she answered.

“Hey, Brody.” She went to sit near the sliding glass doors, staring out into the gray.

“How are things? How’s your mom?”

“I’m fine. She’s okay. She’s tired a lot. They say it’s normal for her though. How’s the shop?”

“Fine. We had three people call in this week to volunteer to fill in for you. You have a lot of friends.”

She started to cry. She sort of hated that part. After not crying for years and years, she couldn’t seem to find a way to get all her emotions in check. The day before she burst into tears when they were in a diner and they ran out of cherry pie.

“Aw, sweetheart, it’s okay. I told you to make you happy, not upset you.”

Jonah moved nearer, his laptop on his legs. He worked to be close to her, understanding she didn’t want to be petted right then, but needed his nearness.

“It’s not you. It’s all this stuff going on. My mother’s doctor said it was normal for people who are dealing with this stuff be emotional. I’m glad you’re covered. I feel terrible leaving you in the lurch.”

“You shut up. Jesus. It’s a fucking tattoo shop. I can limit hours or hire extra help, which I have. What you’re dealing with is way more important, so stop or I’ll be mad and sic Erin on you.”

She smiled, taking the tissue Jonah handed her.

“She okay? Alexander? Martine? Rennie? Poppy?”

“Everyone is fine. The kids miss you a lot. They’ve all gotten used to having you around so don’t go running off.”

“I won’t. Seems I’ve sort of hooked up with a dude there and I have a mortgage and a life and all.”

Jonah made a grumbly sound of assent and it soothed her. He was good at that. Soothing.

“We’ll be back day after tomorrow.”

“Don’t you dare come back to work for another two days after that. You got me? Can we do anything to help? All you need to do is ask.”

“I know, which is really all I need. Thank you.”

“You got it. You know where we are. I’ll see you soon.”

He hung up and she did too before putting her phone on the table and leaning back, tucking her feet beneath her. She needed to get a decent night’s sleep. They were waking up early and driving to Happy Bend first thing. She was going to confront her aunt and get some answers. 

She was up long before dawn. She’d tried to go back to sleep, but that hadn’t worked so she’d carefully gotten out of bed and moved into the main room. The hotel had a perfunctory gym so she got dressed, dashed off a note to Jonah in case he woke up, and headed down.

The nice thing about hotels at four in the morning is that they’re deserted. So she didn’t have to share the machines with anyone as she warmed up or even when she set the treadmill. She hated running. With all her heart. But it was a good way to deal with all this shit in her head.

That’s where he found her. Her hair in a ponytail, swinging back and forth. Sweating. She wore headphones as she ran. He used to not know what from. But now that he did, it hurt him to see her this way, even as he knew it was necessary.

He got on the one next to hers and started slow. She ignored him awhile, starting and then relaxing when she saw it was him. Her gaze had been blurred. Most likely in the past where she was a helpless kid with no one to protect her.

The entire trip had been hard on her. When they got back home he planned to help her through with lots of sex, pampering, and a trip to Maui in January after Carrie went back to school. He’d have taken her off right then, but she was anxious to get back to the shop.

He’d spoken briefly to Brody and Erin a few days prior. Erin asked if Raven had gone to any counseling at all and he’d said no, though the doctor had suggested it quite strongly and had given her some basic coping advice. Raven didn’t trust authority. And he understood why. But goddamnit, she needed someone to listen to her in a situation where she didn’t have to worry over burdening someone with her past. He knew she held back with him, trying to protect him.

When he’d first met her he’d thought she was the strongest, most vibrant kick-ass bitch he’d ever laid eyes on. He knew that for sure now. So much pain to have shouldered, and she had, mostly alone for nearly all her life. Christ, if all she took away from that was a bitchy exterior and a habit of speaking before she thought about it, the world was lucky. He wasn’t sure how she kept from going nuclear.

He saw on the monitor that she’d run eight miles. Jesus.

He’d only run two, but that was enough. He wanted her to stop. They had a day ahead of them. He turned his machine off and stepped to the rails and down.

She waved and he rolled his eyes, pulling her headphones off. “Come on. We have to check out and then stop and get breakfast before we get on the road.”

She scowled and he grinned. “Oh the first scowl of the day and it’s only five. We may just break records today.”

She took her shower first, coming back out looking marginally better. She’d said her good-byes to her mother the day before so they could leave first thing.