Total pages in book: 26
Estimated words: 23935 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 120(@200wpm)___ 96(@250wpm)___ 80(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 23935 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 120(@200wpm)___ 96(@250wpm)___ 80(@300wpm)
Today Officer Niks sent a young woman our way. Niks and I have become close over the years, and I consider her a true friend. She sends over girls when she’s worried there’s an imminent danger and they have no place to go. She’s all too aware that restraining orders don’t always work.
This new resident wasn’t giving us much information, but she showed up with a black eye and is still pretty shaken up. When I get to the room Cora assigned her, I tap gently on the door. We already talked earlier when she arrived, but I wanted to do one last check on her before I left for the day. It’s important that the women here know that I truly care. It helps build trust between us.
When she opens the door, she gives me a smile, but it doesn’t meet her eyes. “Are you all settled in?” I ask her.
“Yeah, I think so.” She shifts on her feet.
“That’s good. Dinner will be ready shortly, and then you should get some rest,” I tell her, and she nods. “How are you feeling about Dr. Lovell coming by in the morning?”
I brought it up once, and she shook it off, but I still want him to check her over. With her pants and long-sleeved shirt, I can’t tell if there are bruises anywhere else.
“You said I don’t have to answer any questions, right?” she asks.
“Right, you’re free to tell or not tell us anything.” I can see her marginally relax, but it’s best not to push. In fact, the more space we give a new resident, the sooner they come to us.
“Okay,” she agrees.
“Great, he’ll be here in the morning.”
She thanks me again before closing her door, and I wait until I hear the lock clicking into place. It’s a start.
Once that’s done, I pull out my phone and send a text to Dr. Lovell. He owns his own practice and comes to the gym. Maverick has known him for years, and when we opened Farrow Haven, he offered to help in any way that he could. Initially I worried about having a male doctor, but he’s always happy to send one of his female nurse practitioners in his place if the resident requests it. He’s been a godsend.
“Goodnight, everybody,” I say to the security guards on the way out.
Maverick insisted on me using a driver, so he’s waiting for me out front. I get into the backseat and let him know to head back to the gym. Even with the security at Farrow Haven, Maverick worries. I don’t mind doing whatever it takes to give him peace of mind.
Once I’m back at the gym, I make my way inside to find my husband and our baby girls playing inside one of the rings. A few of the old-timers linger around watching them, and I have to laugh at how they are cheering on the girls.
It didn’t take long for Maverick to knock me up. He was so excited when he found out I was pregnant, but when he found out it was twin girls, his excitement skyrocketed. I thought he was going to explode with joy. The man really was made to have a family.
I can’t help but smile as I watch our girls running around in the ring. They’re dressed in sparkly dresses and even have crowns on. They’re super girly when it comes to how they want to dress, but the sequins and glitter don’t stop them from a good wrestling match.
“Victory!” Lily squeals when she’s got her dad on the mat. She waves her hands in the air like a champion.
I cringe when Rose goes in for the haymaker on her dad. I know she’s a tiny thing, but those little elbows are pointy. As soon as she makes contact, Maverick pretends to be injured while Lily swings back around. She realizes they’re still in it, and she jumps on top of him too.
“I see you girls are keeping your dad in line,” I shout, and the girls turn my way.
“Mommy!”
“Mom!”
They smile as they bounce to their feet and run in my direction.
“You like my dress?” Lily asks before spinning in place.
“It’s beautiful,” I tell her.
“What about mine?” Rose scrunches her nose.
“Yours is just as beautiful, sweetie.” It’s literally the same dress, but clearly I need to make the distinction.