things, things that got me arrested. So I thought if I came here, I’d get over him, and move on. I almost did.” She glanced at Lars. “I thought if I hooked up with Lars, I’d forget all about Doug. But Lars wanted nothing to do with me.”
Lars opened his mouth, then closed it when Kellie imperceptibly shook her head at him.
“Not that I blame him,” Mallory said. “I mean, my own boyfriend threw me away … like trash.”
Those sobs came again, and Lars couldn’t stop himself from speaking up. “You’re not trash, Mallory.”
Her crying continued.
“I think we should listen to Kellie and get your wrists checked out.” Lars rested a hand on her shoulder. “Can you come out of the closet now? We can take my truck.”
Whatever Lars had said, or done, it seemed to work. Maybe it was the mention of his truck? He had no idea, but Mallory unfolded her trembling self and stood.
“All right.” She wiped at her face, then took a shaky breath. “I’ll go.” Then she seemed to sway, and Lars grasped her around the waist.
Was she going to pass out?
Mallory closed her eyes, leaning against him. “Just give me a minute. My legs are half-asleep.”
“I’ve got you,” Lars said, scooping her up into his arms. “Lead the way, Kells.”
Kellie bit her lip, but she turned and headed down the hall toward the front door. Lars followed, carrying a clearly exhausted Mallory. Her head rested on his shoulder, and her eyes remained closed the entire way to the truck.
With the help of Kellie, he settled her onto the passenger seat, then got her buckled in.
It was going to be a long night.
Kellie blinked back tears. She didn’t know why she felt like crying. Maybe it was because Mallory would be going to another facility. The doctor had asked to speak to Kellie privately after Mallory’s exam.
He told her that he recommended a psychiatric facility for Mallory, and it wasn’t just because of her self-harm. There were more issues going on that Kellie wasn’t privy to.
Still, she was devastated. She’d watched Mallory transform over the past couple of weeks. Her personality was beautiful. She was full of life. Until … she wasn’t. Yet, Kellie knew she didn’t have the right support staff to help Mallory. It was just her. Neither the ranch hands nor her brother had any medical training.
So, Kellie had consented. She didn’t have a choice, anyway. Mallory had already agreed.
And now, Kellie had to give Lars the update. He’d gone out to his truck to call Ryan and see if Talia could spend the night at the ranch house to make sure things were calm with the other women. Talia had been a resident at the ranch a few months ago, and she had a knack for both organization and compassion.
Kellie headed outside. Main Street in Lost Creek at midnight was dead silent. Only a couple of lights even shone, but everything else was dark. Lars was already walking toward the clinic—his phone call must be over. Just seeing his tall form striding toward her, and being a witness to all of his help tonight, created another lump in her throat. Lars was one of the good guys, solid through and through.
“Talia’s heading over there now,” Lars said. “Said she’ll stay all night, so no reason to rush anything.” He stopped where Kellie had stopped. “What’s wrong?”
And that’s when Kellie started crying.
“Kells?”
She heard the worry in his tone, and then his arms went around her. She couldn’t remember specifically hugging Lars before, although she must have. She’d been around the Original Six plenty, and hugs had happened. But having Lars’s arms about her now was what she needed. Another person’s strength. To hold her up. To help her face this change.
Lars’s hand moved up her back, then rested on her shoulder.
“What’s going on, Sunshine?” he murmured against her hair.
“I’m not anything close to sunshine right now.”
He chuckled, and despite her tears, Kellie smiled against his shirt. Beyond the tears and the ache in her heart, she appreciated the woodsy scent of his shirt mixed with whatever soap he used.
“Mallory’s going to go to a psych unit in San Antonio.” Kellie tightened her hold on his shirt. Its fabric was soft with wear and washings. “I feel like I’ve let her down somehow.”
Lars exhaled, then drew away enough to meet her gaze. “She’s going to get the help she needs, right?”
Kellie nodded numbly. “Right.”
His hand came up and smoothed back her hair, then