“I see.”

“I’m so sorry for coming here. I’ll pay for the utilities and whatever rent you feel is fair.”

Nate’s firm voice filled the room. “Usually, the tenant receives permission before moving in, especially if the place isn’t for rent.”

Elissa bit her lower lip, swallowed. Nate had that effect on people, even ones who knew and loved him. Christine didn’t like what the woman had done, but there was more to this story and she’d begun to wonder if there weren’t a compelling reason behind her actions. “Are you afraid of something?” She paused, added, “Or someone?” The woman paled, and for several seconds, she didn’t move. “Elissa?” Christine gentled her voice. “Are you afraid of someone?”

Elissa dipped her head. “He’d never hurt me, I know that, but… I need time to figure out what I want to do.”

“And you think holing up in a cabin in the middle of nowhere will keep you safe?” Nate focused his gaze on her. “How long before this person figures out your hiding place?”

Her eyes widened as though she hadn’t considered this. “I’ve been here ten days and no one’s come around.” She darted a glance at Nate. “Not until you. My parents don’t even know where I am; we thought it would be safer this way.” She paused, licked her lips. “For all of us.”

Christine’s anger subsided, replaced with concern for a woman who could be in danger. “Is it a boyfriend?”

“It is. Victor says he knows what’s best for me and I should trust him when it comes to making decisions about our future, but I have a voice, too. Shouldn’t I be allowed to speak my mind?” Her eyes lit up, sparked. “Just because his grandmother and his mother stayed home birthing babies and washing laundry, does that mean I have to do the same? Shouldn’t I have a choice, especially when I’ve spent years in nursing school and have a profession I love?”

Nate cleared his throat, slid Christine a look. “I’m sure my wife has a thought or two on the subject.”

“I have a book of thoughts on the subject,” Christine said. “Nobody has the right to force another person to do something she doesn’t want to do, especially if it has to do with a profession or a way of life.” How many years had she lived under the guilt of making choices so she didn’t disappoint her mother and buried her own desires? She’d chosen Connor Pendleton because she knew her mother would approve, selected designer clothing to gain a nod, and shown up for the monthly dinners she dreaded. All in an attempt to win approval and make her mother happy. But to what end? The more Christine gave in to her mother’s wishes, the more Gloria demanded, and it would never have ended. Her father’s death had been a painful loss, but it had also been a wake-up call that led her to Magdalena and Nate Desantro—her salvation. And now it seemed this woman had a similar predicament.