Darby laughed. “She thought of everything.”

“She knows you well. Why don’t you call her while I get everything unpacked?”

“Okay.” She nodded, feeling a lump in her throat because of everything these people had done for her.

First, she went over to him and wrapped her arms around his waist, unable not to touch him and let him know how much she appreciated everything he’d done for her. He’d unzipped his coat and she found herself enveloped in a hug that forced the air from her lungs. She didn’t complain. She needed this and despite what he and Quentin thought, she wouldn’t break.

She laid her cheek against his heart and felt the beat pick up for a moment before settling into a strong steady rhythm.

He smelled of some faint deodorant over warm male skin. And felt like the best thing in the entire world.

“You did not have the day you were expecting when you woke up this morning. Thank you again for coming.” She looked up and caught his expression before he hid it from her.

Want. Need. Contentment. Or was that her misguided imagination?

“Standing here with you in this cabin is actually a lot better place than where I originally expected to be tonight—at home in my apartment with Max,” he admitted.

“Me too.” She’d expected to be in jail. She sobbed then quickly covered her reaction with another question. “How are Max and Lucy getting along?”

“They fit,” he said simply.

And that was how she felt whenever she was in Eban’s arms. Like she fit.

He broke the embrace and stepped back. “Call Haley. I know she and Quentin are both desperate to hear from your own mouth that you’re okay.”

Darby checked the time. It was the middle of the night in Virginia, but she knew they’d be waiting for her call. For the first time since she woke up that morning she felt as if she could relax, just a little. Terror did not need to be wrapped constantly around her heart.

She put the tea kettle on and dialed Haley.

Chapter Fifteen

Adele Surrey turned off the lights in the annex where the support group for people who’d suffered sexual abuse had finished up their weekly meeting. It had ended later than usual. She’d wiped all the tables and cleared all the dishes into the dishwasher. Turned the machine on so everything would be clean for the next morning’s mothers and toddlers’ playgroup.

Tonight, all the attendees had been distracted and upset by what had happened with Darby O’Roarke who attended the meetings on a semi-regular basis. She seemed quiet and sweet but from what little she’d shared with the group she’d gone through a terrifying experience last summer that would adversely affect anyone.

Adele was worldly enough to fill in the gaps of the things the girl hadn’t spoken out loud. No one was forced to share graphic details of their experiences. Not everyone was ready for that kind of healing.