“Ah, baby, I’m so sorry. I’m so, so sorry. I love you so much. Just know that you’re safe now. That man is on the run up in the hills, likely with the state police and a bunch of dogs on his trail.”

“I love you, too. I’m so tired,” she mumbled, and then closed her eyes.

Sully sat on the edge of her bed with her hand in his, and when she began crying in her sleep, he knew she was remembering the pain and the fear.

About an hour later, Dr. Quick returned. Melissa woke to good news. Nothing was broken, and the strain to her shoulders could be eased by alternating hot and cold packs.

“Is she free to go home?” Sully asked.

“Yes. Just rest for the next few days. No lifting, either. Let those strained muscles heal.”

“I’ll make sure of it,” Sully said.

“You cut up my clothes,” Melissa said.

Dr. Quick patted her knee. “We’ll get you a pair of scrubs to wear home. You can bring them back at your leisure.”

As soon as she was dressed, Sully went to pull the car up to the entrance while an orderly wheeled her out.

Someone sitting in the waiting room called out Melissa’s name, then waved and gave her a thumbs-up.

Sully was standing beside the passenger side, and when she came out, he opened the door. They loaded her up and buckled her in, and then together they headed for home.

He was thinking about the mess in the house as they drove, but as he approached the house, he saw several cars parked along the street.

Melissa noticed them, too. “That’s Laurel’s car,” she said.

“Laurel who cleans the house? It’s not her day to come,” Sully said.

She sighed. “Blessings being Blessings, I’m going to assume someone sent her and her crew here to clean up. I remember making something of a mess.”

“Really? The people in this town continue to amaze me,” Sully said.

And sure enough, as he helped Melissa out of the car and walked her to the house, they walked in to the scent of lemon and shining floors. Laurel came out of the kitchen with a dish cloth in her hand.

“I thought I heard the door open,” she said, and then looked at Melissa. “Oh honey, bless your heart. You’ve had more than enough of trouble. How are you?”

“Sore, but alive and grateful,” Melissa said. “How did you know to come today?”

“Oh, we had just finished up at Ruby’s house when she told us what happened. I called the other girls, and we came here. This is our gift to you. Now go get comfortable somewhere. We are so happy you’re okay.”

“Do you want to go to bed?” Sully asked.

“Yes, at least for a while. I want to get clean and put on my own clothes and lie down.”

“I can make that happen,” he said. “Just lean on me.”