Harlequin Romantic Suspense July 2020 Box Set by Tara Taylor Quinn

Author:Tara Taylor Quinn
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Harlequin
Published: 2020-10-15T00:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER 3

“Oh, Carrie,” Nina said, her eyes full of tears after Carrie finished telling her the whole sordid history of her relationship with Joseph. “I wish I’d known sooner. I wish I’d been there for you, that I could’ve done something to help.” Her friend squeezed her hand, her dark expression saying how overwhelmed she was by the ugliness of Carrie’s full story.

She and Nina sat on a bench made of hand-hewn wood, under a shade tree on a hill that overlooked the Double M Ranch. The sun was sinking low behind the rolling foothills of the Rockies and casting a golden glow over the fields, corrals and buildings below them. The tranquil scene helped soothe the jittery, ragged sensations that tore at her as she explained herself to Nina.

Carrie bowed her head. “You wouldn’t have known, even if we’d done a better job keeping in touch. He made sure I didn’t talk about it. Not that I would have. I’m ashamed of how I’ve let him treat me, that I’d believe him when he said he was sorry, that I’d allow fear to keep me bound to him.”

“It’s called battered woman syndrome. Everything you did and felt is typical of a woman living with domestic violence.” Nina stroked Carrie’s arm sympathetically.

Carrie chuffed an ill-humored breath. “Yeah. It’s crazy to think there’s a whole clinical definition for it. I learned the term when I started reading articles on the internet about how to escape. I saw myself in every line of every blog post and article, and it made me want to cry. Not for myself but for the other women going through the same pain.”

“And men. Domestic violence isn’t restricted to women. Or any social class or race. It happens throughout society.”

Carrie nodded sadly.

Nina sat taller and squared her shoulders. “But you did the right thing. You left, and I will help you make a fresh start. I’m proud of you, Carrie. I know it was hard.”

Swallowing hard, Carrie said, “It’s not over. He keeps finding me. I don’t know how. He’s sworn to keep coming after me, to drag me back home with him, to—”

“He won’t. Not this time. We’ll protect you. We’ll figure it out together.”

Carrie wished she could believe Nina. Experience was hard to ignore. And in her experience, Joseph always knew, always found her, always won.

Yet after she’d laid out all of the ugly details of her life to Nina, Carrie’s soul felt lighter. A ray of hope twinkled for her like the first star on a clear night. She inhaled the fresh air and forced a smile for her friend. “Thank you, Nina. You can’t begin to know how much I appreciate your help.”

Nina rose from the bench and tugged on Carrie’s hand. “Come on. Let’s head back. Melissa said she was going to make homemade ice cream for dessert. I know you don’t want to miss out on that.”

Carrie hadn’t had much appetite in weeks, but she humored Nina. “Definitely.” She walked beside

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