A soft knock woke her from her sleep she blinked a few times before sitting up in the bed. Pulling the blankets around her body.

"Come in."

Ruby poked her head inside and then slipped into the room, closing the door behind her.

"Oh, sweet girl!"

She rushed forward, taking Flora into her arms and holding her close. Then, she pushed her away to examine the wound on her head.

"Oh, I'm sorry. I never should have suggested you go out with that man."

"It's not your fault. I should've never agreed to go. I led him on..."

"Is that what he said? You're a kind girl you didn't lead anybody on."

Flora turned her attention to where Ruby gripped her hand tightly in both of hers. She wore a ring on nearly every finger.
One was a plain silver band with small triangles of turquoise, and she liked the way it felt under her fingertip.

"My mother... had a ring like this once," she said softly.

"This was my grandmothers wedding band, then my mothers, it was supposed to be mine,then my daughters but...life throat curveball."

Flora sniffed a little but managed a smile.

"Do you remember much from last night?" Ruby asked.

"Just the picnic...he struck me. I don't remember much after. Pieces here and there...noises mostly. I tried to walk back but I was so disoriented when I awoke, it was so dark..."

"Rex sent out an army to comb those mountains and find you."

"Rex?"

"Yes, he refused to rest until you were found."

"He just doesn't want to lose out on the investment he made after paying my father."

"Don't be so harsh towards him, I know he's rough, but he really is a good man."

"Yeah, well, I guess I wouldn't know what that's like...meeting a good man."

Ruby gave her a sad smile and pushed her hair off one shoulder.
The braid from last night had started to loosen in spots, mud, and dirt caked in the braid that was still there.

"Why don't I help you get cleaned up and back into bed, then I'll make lunch."

"That would be nice."

A soft knock on the door drew their attention. Rex carefully stepped into the room.
Removing his hat and holding it in one hand.

"I uh, called the local doctor asked him to come out and take a look at ya," he said.

"Oh, that's okay. I'm fine. I've had worse," Flora replied

"Yeah, just let him take a look, okay? At least at that lump on your head."

She gave a small nod.

"If you want, I can have the police back. I gave a statement, but...it's up to you how far all of this goes."

"Is...is he still here?" She asked timidly, half afraid of the answer.

"Who? Colby?" Rex guessed.

She gave a shallow nod.

"Fuck no. He was gone before I brought you home, and he's going to stay gone. Rather, you press charges or not. He's done here."

"He...I..."she struggled for words.

"I know what he did. Believe me, I know. Do you want to speak to a cop or not?"

"No...no thank you."

"You being scared means he's going to do this again to someone else." Rex pointed out.

"He's right," Ruby agreed.

Flora licked her busted lips they were swollen and sore. Her face ached, and she wanted nothing more than to hide in this bed the rest of her life.

"Okay, I...I'll talk."

"I'll make the call. You take a few hours, get cleaned up, and have something to eat," He said, placing his hat back on his head.

He exited the room, closing the door behind him, and she felt a weight ease off her body.

"What would you like for lunch?" Ruby asked.

"Something soft," Flora said with a wince.

"Why don't I run you a hot bath first and get some clean clothes."

"Okay,"

Ruby disappeared into the main living area, returning with fresh underclothes, a white tank top, and some jeans.

"I wasn't sure what to grab," she said, placing the items on the bed.

"That's fine."

She watched Ruby walk into the adjoining bathroom and heard the water start in the tub. She imagined this is what it must be like for kids who grew up with a mother.

"I'll be back with lunch, and we can get the tangles out of your hair, okay?"

Flora smiled and nodded in agreement, and Ruby hurried from the room.

Standing made her dizzy, and her head was pounding near her temple, where she suspected she had a large bruise.
Her cheek still ached, even into her teeth where he'd struck her.

She walked into the bathroom, and there was a large tub in the middle of the floor filling with warm water.

She carefully stripped off her bra and panties, noticing now how sore her feet were. Her boots hadn't been broken in fully, and her desperate hike to find safety meant her feet paid the price.

Her arm had a hand shaped bruise where he had gripped her too tight.
She carefully used her fingers to loosen her braid the best she could before shutting off the tap  and sinking into the hot water.

The water felt heavenly to her aching muscles and chilled bones. She lay her head back on the porcelain, closing her eyes and taking a slow, deep breath.

Home, Rex said he brought her home.

A part of her worried she would be thrown off the ranch for causing such a ruckus last night, but Rex had called the place home. Surely, that meant he was allowing her to stay, but for how long?

She had caused nothing but trouble for him since her arrival, and she wasn't naive enough to assume he'd allow it to become a habit. 

She soaked until her water cooled off, and she had no choice but to get out. Cringing at the colored water full of small twigs and dirt, she made herself a promise to clean the tub thoroughly as soon as she could before Roy used it.

She went into the bedroom and pulled on the clothes that Ruby had left. She was pulling on a paid of thick heavy socks when a soft knock sounded.

"Come in,"

Rex stepped into the room, and she instinctively shrunk away slightly.

"Cameron is here. He's a deputy I've known a long time. If you're ready for your statement."

"Okay,"

He turned but waited for her to approach before they exited the room together.
He led her from the bunkhouse across the lawn to a small picnic table.

A young cop was sitting there waiting he stood when the pair approached.

"Ma'am I'm Cameron Riggs, I'm with th3 sheriff's department. I want to apologize for your ordeal last night, and thank you for speaking to me."

Flora didn't reply or take his outstretched hand, and Rex placed a hand on her shoulder.

She jumped at the contact, and he tightened his grip. It didn't hurt. It was strong but almost gentle as he motioned her to the bench on the opposite side of the table.

"You can start by just walking me through what happened, Rex filled me in on what he could."

"We uhm...we were supposed to just go on a picnic. He let me borrow a horse, and we rode to the bottom of the mountain," she started.

"Which direction?" Cameron asked.

"South... I think."

"Flora is new here. It's a big place," Rex added.

"Okay, continue," Cameron said, writing down what she said so far.

"We stopped to let the horses get a drink in a little stream. And...he..uhm...he started to kiss me..." she stopped, taking a shaky breath.

The entire thing seemed so personal, and telling anyone, let alone two men, was hard, her tongue felt dry. It stuck to the roof of her mouth.
She wanted to ask for Ruby, but Rex hand on her shoulder made her afraid to tip his control.
If he felt insulted, she worried he would lash out.

"Take your time," Cameron said gently.

"He uhm...he was kissing me, and I asked him to stop. I didn't really feel comfortable."

"Did he?" Cameron asked.

"At first, but then he tried again, and I wouldn't let him.  I pushed him away... then he grabbed my arm. "

Her fingers went to the bruise on her arm, remembering how he had gripped it in his hand. How badly it hurt.
Rex's hand on her shoulder was nothing like Colbys, but it still made her uncomfortable.

"Just focus," Cameron urged.

"He tried to kiss me again, so I slapped him...on the cheek."

"Do you think you left a mark?" Cameron asked.

"I...I don't know."

"She did, I saw it when I bumped into him," Rex said firmly.

"Good, okay, then what?"

"He pulled back his fist. I saw it coming, but... I didn't move fast enough, he punched me, I lost my balance, and I remember falling. My head hit something hard, a rock, maybe."

Rex's grip on her shoulder tightened slightly as he stood behind her, then carefully he withdrew it and paced away, rubbing his hand over his face like he was suddenly exhausted.

"Do you think he may have assaulted you after? While you were unconscious?"

"Fuck," this from Rex

"No, no. I woke up, and it was getting dark. The horses were gone, and so was he.
I started trying to hike but...I didn't know the way back...it got dark...started to rain and...I guess I was more disoriented than I realized."

"Are you willing to press charges?"

"Yes."

"Okay, that and Rex's statement is enough for now, but I'll need to be in touch. Are you staying here long?"

She glanced at Rex, who had his back to them both. After a second, he took a deep breath and spoke.

"She's staying awhile. She owes a debt."

"Okay, any idea where I can find Colby?" Cameron asked.

Flora slowly shook her head.

"If he's smart far away from here,"Rex said.

Cameron rattled off some details, and Rex answered a few generic questions, but all Flora could focus on was the pounding in her head.

Finally, Rex voice cut through the haze in her mind.

"Let's get you back to bed," He carefully helped her stand, and together, they walked back to the bunkhouse.

"You did good," He said softly.

"I hope so."

They reached Roy's room, and she opened the door.

"Get some rest now, Ruby is making lunch, and...I'm in the barn today if... you need anything. "

"Thank you," she said, knowing she wouldn't ask him for anything.

"What happened...it wasn't your fault." He added.

"It feels like it."

"It's not, don't worry about. Rest, that's all you need to do."

She didn't reply as he tipped his hat slightly and left her standing at the door.
Once he was our of the bunkhouse she collapsed onto the king size bed and was soon fast asleep.