For the Love of Anna (The Town of Pearl 1)

“So, it’s obvious someone roughed you up. There are bruises with the shape of hands and finger marks across your body, your face, and jaw, as well as your legs.”

Anna swallowed hard as the tears filled her eyes.

“Honey, you’re safe here. No one is going to hurt you. The Cantrells are very well known and very good men. They will surely keep you safe. Charlie has already done a great job.” He smiled, and she felt a little more at ease.

He asked a few more questions, and with each response, she told him bits and pieces of the incident.

“Was it one man?” he asked.

“Three,” she replied, and she saw a flash of anger in his eyes, but it was quickly replaced by tenderness.

“Honey, I know this is tough. You don’t have to talk about it in detail, but I need to know so I can determine the extent of this exam. Did these men force themselves on you?”

She covered her mouth with her hand and shook her head in denial. All she saw were flashes of the men hitting her and then her father selling her like trash and hitting her himself.

Dr. Jones stood beside her and caressed her shoulder.

“Are you sure, Anna?” he asked again.

She wiped her eyes and locked gazes with him.

“I escaped…through the window and fire escape before…before they could.” The thought that they would have raped her and forced her to prostitute had her sobbing again.

Dr. Jones consoled her, and before long, she was telling him what had happened. Including what her father said and did.

“The lousy bastard,” he whispered, and she chuckled between sobs.

“Thanks for that.”

He pulled her into his arms and hugged her. It was fatherly and comforting.

As he pulled away, he held her shoulders and locked gazes with her.

“You are a very strong and very brave young woman. You are sweet and kind, I can tell these things, I’ve been around forever. I didn’t get these gray hairs from doing nothing.” He winked.

“If you ever need to talk or need anything, you don’t hesitate to call me. In the meantime, know that the Cantrells will protect you and care for you.”

“Thank you,” she whispered.

“Now, about Sheriff Cantrell.”

Anna shook her head.

“Anna, these men were going to kill you and your father for money. They were going to take you and turn you into a prostitute to pay off the debt. They could come looking for you here.”

Anna felt the tears stream down her cheeks.

“Then I’ll leave here as soon as I can travel.”

He shook his head.

“That’s not an option, and you know it. You have Stacy and the Cantrells. You would be safest here. But with help from the sheriff, he can make some inquiries and ensure that these men don’t come to Pearl to get you.”

Anna thought about Stacy. She didn’t want to bring trouble to her doorstep. They all had been nothing but nice and caring.

Anna lifted her chin toward the doctor. “I’ll think about it.” He released a sigh, then smiled.

“Deal.” He smiled.