She stared at the handcuffs and sighed out the answer she didn’t want to be true, “Yes.”
Dane gave her hand a gentle squeeze. “Connor’s the one who deserves to be in handcuffs. You’ve done all you can up to this point. You need to let him go before he really does get you killed.”
She stared up at him, holding his beautiful daughter, a girl he’d taken in because she needed a family. Dane would do anything for family. “If it were one of your brothers, would you let them go?”
“He left you out there, didn’t he?” Dane asked.
“You don’t understand.”
“You’ve been the cleanup crew since your mother died. You’ve held everything together. You’ve lived for them. When will you start living for yourself, Sadie? Do it now before it’s too late.”
He rattled the handcuffs to point out that she might end up in jail, an accessory for stealing Rory’s cattle.
“Rory saved you last night. If he hadn’t come along . . .” Dane left the rest unsaid.
She’d be dead right now.
Dane leaned down and kissed her on the forehead. He hovered over her and whispered, “Your life has been one hard choice after the next. This is something you have to do, Sadie. Save yourself.”
Tears shimmered in her eyes. She knew he was right, but she couldn’t bring herself to do it. Connor was her brother. He needed her. She’d get through to him, make him see reason. A small voice inside, the one she never listened to, whispered, He’ll never see reason. He’ll never change. She turned her face into the pillow and wept.
Dane brushed his hand over her hair. “You call me if you need me.”
“I’ve got this,” Rory said behind her.
Which could only mean that he meant to make her and her brother pay for what happened. That, or he really did believe she wasn’t the bad guy and he pitied her for all her injuries and what happened. She didn’t know which was worse.
Sadie wiped her eyes. She didn’t have time for self-pity or crying over what couldn’t be changed.
Dr. Bowden took Dane’s place beside her after he walked out the door. Sadie stared up at the beautiful woman and sucked it up, mustering what little strength she had left.
“Congratulations on the wedding and the new baby. Kaley is amazing. She got that one to smile.” Sadie cocked her head in Rory’s direction.
“He’s a sucker for her.”
“I see Dane is, too. So, Dane finally found you again. You’re her, right?”
Dr. Bowden sucked in a surprised breath. “You know about our meeting by the river?”
“Though I haven’t seen Dane in a good long while, since he ran off to ride the rodeo circuit, he and I have been friends forever. When I really needed one, he was there for me. I’ve been so busy lately, seems I keep up with my friends more through the town grapevine than in person.”
“Life gets in the way sometimes.” Dr. Bowden touched her arm, understanding in her eyes. “How are you feeling?”
“Sore. Everything aches. My wrists, shoulders, and ankles are the worst. I can feel the stitches at my side and on my legs.”
“Yeah, sorry Kaley got you.”
“She didn’t mean it.”
“Considering what you went through, your injuries aren’t too bad. I’ll take the stitches out in seven to ten days. The cuts were deep. Your wrists and ankles are cut, scraped, and raw. That will take the longest to heal. I’ll prescribe some antibiotics to stave off infections. Right now, you’re getting them through your IV.”
“Did you call my dad?”
“A sheriff’s deputy contacted him by phone, then Rory’s brother went by to see him.”
Rory stepped close. “My brother Colt stopped by your place last night. He packed you some clothes and talked to your dad. He found your horses saddled and in the pasture. He took care of them and put them back in their stalls, fed and watered all the horses.”
“Damnit, Connor just left them like that.”
“He left you hanging from a tree,” Rory snapped out, his voice laced with pent-up rage.
“The deputy is waiting outside to speak to you,” Dr. Bowden said. “I’ll be back later to check on you.”
“I want to go home.”
Dr. Bowden’s eyes went to the cuffs on her hand. “We’ll see.” She left the room.
Sadie rattled the cuffs, frustrated, pissed, and overwhelmed.
“Stop. You’ll hurt yourself.”
“I don’t see how it can get any worse.”
“It can always get worse,” Rory said.
Deputy Foster stepped into the room.
“Hello, Mark.”