Gotta Have You, Cowboy (Ford Brothers Book 2)

Chapter Twenty: Charlotte

I was a nervous wreck this morning. Seeing that monster and reliving the night he kidnapped me. It brought back one too many flashbacks for my liking. I have been in bed since we got back. I do not feel like myself and I have not stopped crying. The memories keep hitting me full force and I am breaking again. I feel lost and out of control like my world is falling apart around me. I have been having panic attacks and scared to fall asleep. Afraid that the nightmares would return. I was doing so well; I was making so much progress.

I do not know how long I have been laying here reliving everything. Nate stepped out after saying that he had a call to make. I do not blame him for leaving. I am a mess right now and I cannot get myself out of the rabbit hole I got pushed down into. It feels like I am back in that house with no way out. The walls closing in on me like they did that night. If I have to see him again it will be too soon.

My nightmare is broke through by the sound of a stampede running up the stairs. The sound loud to my ears causing my head to pound more. The tears were still there in my eyes and I know that I am not descent enough for visitors. Who did Nate invite over? I should have guessed when I saw Bella storming through the door with an army of women behind her.

"Get up." Bella demanded. Maddie, Bridget, and Momma Lisa are standing behind her with their hands on there hips.

"Why?" I whined pulling the covers over my head.

"We are going out. You need to get your mind off of everything." Maddie replied.

"We are not going to let you back track on your progress. We are here to help you." Bella said, pulling the blanket off of me. I sat up blinking my eyes as I gazed around at the women in my room.

"We are going to help you get through this. Come on. Let's get up and get you ready for supper." Momma Lisa said, taking my hand in hers, and helping me up from the bed.

"Where are we going?" I asked as I let her lead me into the bathroom. She started the shower and turned towards me.

"We are going to the diner. Amelia said it's not going to be busy tonight and that she would save us a booth in the back. Now get in the shower and relax. We got you tonight." She smiled at me before turning and leaving.

I have the best mother-in-law in the world. I also have the best of friends who have been here for me. They stayed with me through the bad times and have proved that they are here to stay for the long haul. I am thankfully that they have stood behind me and gave me some of their strength. I have never had friends like them before and I never want to lose them. They are more than friend, they are my sisters.

I quickly stripped out of my clothes and jumped into the shower. I started to feel better as the hot water soaked into my stressed muscles and relaxing me. I released a long sigh as the stress washed out of my body. I have been through so much and I am ready for this chapter to end. I want to let go of the pain, anger, and all the regrets; I want to be me again. Taking a couple of deep breathes as I let everything the last couple of months have brought me out with every exhale. I can overcome this mess. I am stronger than what I think I am. I have made it through a crazy person taking me and I survived it. My daughter, our little miracle is growing, and is healthy. I have everything I need and I am safe with him behind bars. We are all safe; me, my daughter, and all the ones that would have came after me when he was done with me. Nate and his brothers made sure that he would never hurt another girl again.

I can do this. I am done with him and all the pain he caused me. It has made me stronger, not weaker. I can make it through this and starting now I am going to move on with my life. I am not going to let him bring me down ever again. I turned the water off and began to dry myself off. There are clothes sitting on the counter beside the door. Leggings and a t-shirt, they know me so well. I got dressed as quickly as I could and headed out to my room. The girls were sitting on the bed talking while they waited for me to get out. Someone took the time to make my bed and straighten up the room. My money is on Momma Lisa; she would think of something like this to help me out.