Page 2 of Finding Limits

“It’s gonna need some work, but it’s livable,” I assure him. The old safe house Jimmer’s father, Hank, built on the ranch’s land hasn’t been maintained for years.

I notice the way Everleigh looks at Jimmer, desperate and helpless. She doesn’t want to come with me, she doesn’t understand that all this is for her own good. And why should she? Five years locked in a bunker, being beaten and God knows what else would cause anyone to lose their faith in humanity.

“Darlin’, I can’t keep you locked up down here, it ain’t good for ya. The world’s waitin’ for ya out there, and I know you’re scared, but I can promise that the worst has already happened. Let Mitch take ya to the Copper Ridge ranch. There ain’t no place like it. You can look for miles without seein’ another buildin’, and the sunsets are perfect. You’ve spent far too long starin’ at walls. Go, be free.”

She nods her head and smiles ever so slightly. Then when she turns to me she takes a brave breath and allows the smile on her face to grow a little wider.

The girl is so weak she can’t make it all the way up the stairs without stopping to take a breath, but we’re patient, and I remind myself not to touch her when she has to press her hand against the wall for support.

When we eventually make it outside, I open the door of my truck for her to get in the passenger seat and she just about manages to pull herself up. Jimmer hands her her bag through the window and she smiles at him gratefully.

“You gotta long ride home. Will ya make a stop off?” he asks me as I get into the driver’s seat.

“Nah, I stopped at a motel a few miles back and got my head down for a few.”

“A motel?” Jimmer looks offended. “You know you could’ve stayed here.”

“C’mon, we both know there wouldn’t have been much sleepin’ goin’ on if I’d stayed here.” I wink as I get myself behind the wheel.

“Good luck.” Jimmer nods at us both, and I salute him before taking another look at the girl who’s so beautifully broken I wanna be the one to fix her.

I wait until I get outta Manitou Springs before I make any attempt to have a conversation with her. I can see she’s nervous by the way her eyes keep flicking across to me and how her hands are shaking as they cling to the bag on her lap.

“So, ya lookin’ forward to seein’ Montana? Jimmer’s right, it's beautiful there.” I keep my eyes on the road and when she makes no attempt to answer me, I figure I need to try a little harder. “You're gonna love the girls that Jimmer’s nephews are shacked up with. You’ll get on well Maisie, she’s Garrett’s wife, and they have triplets together. Two boys and a little girl. Then ya got Leia, who’s with Wade, they got a little one on the way too. Maisie’s friend, Savannah, can be a little wild, but she’s good fun and I’m sure it’s only a matter of time before Cole pulls his finger outta his ass an?—”

“Are you my master now?” The girl interrupts me with a quiver in her tone.

“Your what?” I almost crash the damn truck, and when I quickly pull over and turn to face her, she looks petrified by my reaction.

“You listen to me, where I’m takin’ ya there are no masters. There are no bunkers or beatin’s and the only god you have to believe in is the one you decide to make ya peace with.” I don’t mean for my words to come out so harsh, but seeing this girl so fragile and afraid makes me pissed that the fucker who hurt her is already dead. I’da really liked to have taught the bastard a few lessons of my own.

Despite how stern I am, Everleigh seems to take in my words, closing her eyes and nodding, then with a relieved, little sigh that sounds all kindsa beautiful she rests her head against the window and goes to sleep.

“Home sweet home.” My eyes are heavy when I eventually pull up outside the cabin, Everleigh is the opposite. She’s bright and alert as she stares at the space around her in complete awe.

“Jimmer wasn’t lyin’ when he said you won’t see anythin’ for miles.” I chuckle as I get out the truck and move around to hold the door open for her. I’ve driven all night and straight through to morning because I didn’t want to put the girl through a stop off. I’m assuming this is a big enough transition for her as it is.

“Ya smell that?” I inhale deep as I stretch out my back. “That’s fresh, early, Montana air. It’s good for ya.” I give her some space so she can get out the truck and when I offer to carry her bag for her she shakes her head and keeps it clutched to her chest.

“Now, I’ll warn ya, this place ain’t nothin’ fancy, but the roof don’t leak, it’s got runnin’ water, and somehow the electric wires are still workin’.” I lead her onto the porch, almost knocking my head on the oil lamp that's hanging from the rafter.

“Fuckin’ thing.” I rub the back of my head and when I see the slight hint of a smile on her lips, it automatically causes one of my own.

“Glad you found some amusement in that.” I clear my throat before I open the door for her and when she steps inside, I watch as her eyes slowly take everything in.

“Kitchen’s over here, I had Josie, Garrett's housekeeper, stock the fridge. The TV works but ya ain’t got all them fancy channels.” I point over to the living area. “There’s a bedroom through here.” I step across the floor and open the door. “Ya can put your bag right here on the bed.” This time when I go to take it from her she lets me.

“I’ll organize someone to get you a phone so you can call me if ya need anythin’ and I’ll check in on ya every day?—”

“No.” Suddenly those pretty, blue eyes grow wild with panic, and she shakes her head.

“Jimmer said you’d take care of me.” I notice that her chest is rising and falling far too quickly.

“And I will, darlin’, I?—”

“You can’t leave me out here by myself. It’s too exposed. What if he finds me?”

“Sweetheart, from what I heard, the man who hurt you is dead. He can’t?—”

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