“I’m sorry. I guess I was just thinking about all the responsibilities of this event.”
“Don’t feel overwhelmed. We’ll have more help than we even need.”
“You mean volunteers? Are you sure?” she asked Abigail.
“Oh yes, quite sure,” Abigail said as she looped her arm through Lucia’s and began walking from the town hall with her.
“I was just wondering where you learned how to be an event coordinator.”
“Oh, I’m not an event coordinator,” Lucia said, and Abigail raised one of her eyebrows at Lucia. Lucia laughed. Abigail was such a nice older woman. Her husband was very kind, too, and the local town physician.
“Where did you learn to help organize events? You definitely have some experience. Was it where you lived before coming to Pearl?” she asked her.
Lucia tightened up and took an unsteady breath. Abigail stopped walking, turned, easing from holding on to Lucia’s arm, and took her hand.
“You are safe here, Lucia. No matter what danger or circumstances you may have had or fled from, know that this town is special in so many ways.”
“I—”
Abigail shook her head slowly.
“You are safe here. When you’re ready to talk, when you feel it’s safe, know that I’m here for you, and so are any of the others. No one is out to hurt you or make you feel scared. We’ve all had bad experiences. I could tell you some doozies, but I’ll leave those up to the people of Pearl as they get to know you.”
“Doozies. Ma’am?” she asked, and Abigail released her hand and led her down the steps of the town hall and along the side streets of town.
“Just about every person walking in this town has their own story. You know, some might be typical and not so eventful, and others, well, others had pretty scary experiences that nearly killed them. But we have the best sheriff’s department, never mind retired military men and women, as well as government officials, security, even a few retired spies,” she said and winked.
“Spies? Really?” Lucia asked as she looked around her.
Abigail chuckled.
“All good people. All ready to use their resources, their abilities, and compassion to help anyone in town in need. I just want you to know that you are safe here. That if you need us, we are here.”
Lucia didn’t know what to say. Her gut was in turmoil. Believe this nice older woman and follow her gut, or give in to the fear of trusting someone that would only be so shocked to hear what her parents did to her? How they sold her through some sort of ancient, barbaric custom of an arranged marriage. That as she fought against it, she was drugged, raped, and assaulted by the man who was to be her husband so that bloodlines could be crossed and money could be made. Thank God she was on birth control, or she could be pregnant right now with Derek’s child. She covered her belly with her hand and felt the nauseous feeling nearly consume her. Her head felt funny, and multiple thoughts scattered through her mind.
She heard the gasp, and then strong arms lifted her up.
When she saw Gabriele’s face, his big blue eyes filled with concern and then the feel of his strong muscles surrounding her, she snapped out of it.
“What are you doing?” she asked him as Abigail called to her husband and Gabriele sat down inside town hall with Lucia on his lap.
He caressed her face, looking so worried and upset. For such a big man, filled with muscles, he was being so gentle. She could feel his hard thighs underneath her ass and sensed the difference in size between her and him.
“Are you okay? You looked like you were going to get sick or pass out,” he said to her.
She saw Doc coming over with a look of concern on his face. She tried to slide off of Gabriele’s thick thigh, but he held a hand on her waist and one on her thigh, instantly making her feel hot and on edge.
“I’m fine.”
“Let me check you out. What happened?” Doc asked her. He went through a series of questions, and when he asked her if she had eaten today, her eyes widened and she shook her head. He gave her a concerned expression and shook his head.
“Young lady, you need to eat and to drink to stay hydrated. You could pass out, knock your head, or land on something and break bones. You must stay hydrated and you must eat. Especially with all the walking you do,” Doc reprimanded her.
“Yes, Sir. I’ll be more careful,” she replied.
“You sure will. Starting with joining me right now for some lunch at Francine’s,” Gabriele said as Abigail handed her a bottle of iced tea. “Drink that before you stand up and start walking with Gabriele,” she told her.
“I’m okay. Really.”