The day was magical.

Hannah had never felt as happy as she felt in this moment, stomping the snow off her frozen feet, laughing at the sight of Maddox dancing around the living room, trying to get the snow out from the back of his shirt that Ava had slipped in there when he'd sat down to take off his boots.

At one point, Hannah had never thought that she would hear Ava laugh again, and yet now the little girl was laughing so hard she had fallen down onto the floor and rolled onto her side clutching her stomach. It was the kind of heartfelt, uncontrolled, belly-deep laughter that only a child could do, the child that Ava had once been.

She felt a trickle on her cheek, and absently wiped her fingers across it, surprised when she found that she was crying. Not from sadness, but from absolute contentment and joy. The snowball fight with Maddox and Ava had been more fun than she had had in forever, pure laugh-out-loud hilarity. She couldn't remember the last time she had laughed like that, and Maddox's laugh had been so warm and engaging that her heart had melted just a little bit more.

Chase and Lissa had left several hours ago, and the sun was beginning to set. The day was almost over, and her heart couldn't stop remembering that Maddox was planning to leave at the end of the day.

She sighed as she watched Maddox begin to build a fire in the wood stove, explaining what he was doing to Ava, even as he made her stand far back out of range. Hannah took a deep breath and watched him. She really, really watched him, trying to see the man beneath the tenderness and the humor.

Was there really someone in there that she was supposed to be afraid of? Was she a fool not to believe him? Because she knew that if he ever showed any kind of violence, even anger, against her or Ava, neither of them would ever recover. They were both so fragile when it came to men, the kind of fragile that would shatter with a touch lighter than a butterfly's wings.

Maddox looked up at her, and his smile faded. Pain flashed across his face, the kind of deep, personal anguish that made her heart tighten. She knew in that moment, that no matter how happy he ever was, his past would always be a part of him. He would always be a man who had grown up with violence.

Was she really the one to save him? Beth, a minister's daughter, had been so traumatized by that night that she'd tried to shut him out of her life forever. Was Hannah so much braver than that? Was Ava? Or was it Maddox's darkness that made them feel so safe, because they both knew that he was strong enough to protect them if bad things ever came calling?

She didn't know. But what she did know is that she could never, ever take a chance with Ava. She had to make the right choice for that little girl, regardless of what she wanted. But knowing what to do for Ava was impossible, because there was no doubt that Maddox was awakening her personality again in a way that nothing else had. Would he also be the trigger to something worse?

Dammit.

Hannah wished she knew what to do. All she knew was that her heart wanted him to stay, but Katie's heart was what had made her go back over to that apartment when she wasn't supposed to. But was she really so much smarter than her sister? Did she know so much more about who to love, and who not to love?

She didn't know. How would she know? How would she ever know whether her heart was right?

She felt Ava tugging on her hand, and she looked down at her daughter. "What's up, pumpkin?"

Ava rubbed her belly.

Hannah managed a smile. "Ready for dinner?" At Ava's nod, Hannah looked over at Maddox. He was watching them with a wistful smile on his face. It was a smile that said he knew this was one of the last moments he would have to watch them. "Will you stay for dinner?" She asked, trying to keep her voice cheerful, trying to keep the tears out of it.

He hesitated. "I should probably hit the road. The roads are still going to be tough, and it's going take a long time to get home."

Ava let go of Hannah's hand, and ran across the room to Maddox. She threw her arms around his neck and buried her face in his shoulder. Tears burned Hannah's throat and she had to look away as Maddox's arm went around the little girl. Dear God. Why was it so hard to know what to do? "I'll just whip up something quickly. It will be faster for you to eat here than to try to find a place to eat on your way."

Before he could answer, she darted past him into the kitchen, being careful to close the door behind her. She reached the counter and leaned on it, her fingertips digging into the old wood. She took a deep breath, and then another one, fighting against the tears. The thought of Maddox walking out the door was so painful that her chest hurt. How would Ava be able to handle it? But even as she thought about Ava, she knew that it wasn't simply her daughter who would be upset.

A part of her would break into a million little pieces the moment that Maddox walked out of their lives. She didn't know how she became so dependent on him so quickly, especially since she was so afraid of men. But the truth was, he lit her up in a way that she'd never felt before. And it wasn't simply that he made her feel good because of how wonderfully he treated her. He also made her feel safe enough to be herself. She wasn't the best cook, and he had been fine with that. He had done most of the cooking, and also the cleaning. Nothing about her bothered him, and she knew that he wasn't faking it. He truly accepted her the way she was, and she knew that nothing she did would ever chase him away.

The only thing that would chase him away was himself.

She took a deep breath, and saw his phone sitting by the counter. When he left, he would be taking their only lifeline to the outside world. She would have to get a new phone on Monday, but the closest drive to a phone store was almost two hours away. Wi-Fi wouldn't get installed for another two weeks.

Sighing, she picked up his phone and unlocked it, using the password that he'd freely given her on their first night, so that she could check her messages from his phone. There had been no messages, nothing, because she had left behind everything that mattered to her. Her job. Her friends. But still, maybe someone would call.

She dialed her voicemail, then frowned when she found she had two messages. Something inside her eased, at the reminder that there were other things in her life besides Maddox. That she had an existence and identity outside this tiny little house, in this microscopic world that the storm had forced them into.

She tensed, when she heard the first message was from a phone number she knew, one from Western Oregon. She took a deep breath as she waited for it to play. Within moments she heard the familiar sound of Brody's voice. "Hey, Hannah. It's Brody. Can you call me back? When I hadn't heard from you or Katie in so long, I got worried. I Googled you guys." At his words, tears burned in Hannah's eyes, because she realized what he was going to say. "I'm so sorry, Hannah. I'm so sorry about Katie. Please call me back. I want to be here for you and Ava. Come stay at the ranch with us. We have plenty of space. You don't need to stay forever, but we're always here for you. All of us. Hang on." There was a moment of silence, and then she heard the whisper of voices.

Then, to her surprise, someone else came on the line, someone she hadn't spoken to since the day she had left so long ago. "Hannah? It's Elle. I'm so sorry about Katie. I can't believe you've been going through this all by yourself. We miss you so much. We think about you every day. Please come back home. We're here for you."

Hannah leaned the phone against her forehead, tears trickling down her cheeks. God, how long had it been since she had talked to Elle? Elle had been only a couple months older than Hannah, but she'd been like a big sister to her, making her laugh, despite the toughness of their situation. Elle, who had been so passionate and so vivacious, a brilliant and effervescent personality no matter how depressing their situation had felt.

There was another shuffle, and then someone else came on the line. "Hey, Shorty. It's Keegan." The image of Keegan's brilliant green eyes, and dark brown hair flashed through her mind. Even at sixteen, Keegan's shoulders had been wide, and his muscles had been defined. He was the one who always carried the others when they were too tired and too worn out to keep going. He had always been the physical strength of the group, always willing to do whatever it took to help the others out when things had gotten too tough. "That completely sucks about Katie. What happened? We saw the news today that the guy who killed her was acquitted today."

Hannah sucked in her breath. Acquitted? Rick had been acquitted? A cold sweat broke out on her forehead, and she sank to her knees, gripping the phone. She'd left town after she'd testified, before the trial had ended, but she'd had no doubts that he'd be convicted for at least voluntary manslaughter, if not murder. How had a jury decided he was innocent? God, Katie, I'm so sorry. I failed you.

"That's bullshit, and we all know it," Keegan continued, his voice hard. "You doing okay? The article said you testified against him. The guy sounds like a psychopath, and we're concerned that he's going to come after you. Call us. Either you come to us, or we'll come to you, but there's no way we're letting that piece of shit take you, too. You're our sister, Shorty, and you always will be. Call us."

The air left Hannah's lungs. Dear God. Would Rick come after her? That hadn't even occurred to her. But as the thought settled in her mind, she thought of the way he'd stared at her in the courtroom with such hatred. Did he hate her enough to come after her?

Brody came back on the phone. "Hey, Hannah. Call me back. No messing around this time. We need to hear from you. It doesn't matter what time it is when you get this message. I'll be waiting. We love you. Bye."

He hung up, but Hannah didn't move. She just sat on the floor, trying to breathe. She felt like the room was closing in on her. Rick had been acquitted. Hearing Keegan's voice, and Elle's. So many things to try to process, and it was too much—

Her voicemail began to play the next message. It was Justine Smith, her old boss. Hannah sighed and closed her eyes, dreading another plea for her to give up on her Wyoming plans and come back. "Hannah! God. Why aren't you answering your phone?"

Hannah bolted upright at the tension in Justine's voice.

"Listen, Rick was acquitted today. Less than an hour later, he was at the office, looking for you. God, Hannah, he was cold. He scared the crap out of me. That man's evil. But it was bad. There was a temp receptionist on duty, and he talked her into giving him your new address. I got out there too late. I called the cops, but they said there was nothing they could do, because he was acquitted. I saw the look in his eyes, Hannah. He's coming for you. Please call me back."

The phone slipped out of Hannah's fingers, and suddenly she was back in that hospital room with Katie. She could see those bruises on her throat. The black eye. Her broken nose. Her hands went to her own throat, and sudden panic hit her. Dear God. Rick was coming for her.

She had to get Ava out of there. They had to leave. They had to run. They had to—

"Hannah?" Maddox's voice broke through her fear and she shot a terrified look at him.

He was standing in the doorway, Ava in his arms. The moment he saw her face, he swore. His entire body changed, shifting from relaxed to rigid with tension. "Ava," he said gently, not taking his gaze off Hannah's face. "Can you go in the other room for a second? I need to talk to your mom."

But Ava didn't let go of him. She was also staring at Hannah, her eyes wide, her face ashen. Her arms tightened around Maddox's neck, her fingers gripping tightly, her eyes wide as she stared at Hannah.

Dear God. Ava. Where would they go? Where could they hide? Where—

"Hannah." Maddox walked into the kitchen and crouched in front of her. "What happened?"

She looked at Ava, who looked terrified, and then shook her head at Maddox. "Nothing. Everything's great. I just...was trying to remember my recipe for meatloaf."

His eyebrows shot up, then his gaze slid to his phone, which was resting on the floor at her feet. Understanding dawned on his face. "You checked your voicemail?"

She nodded once, managing a smile. "Yes, just a call from my old boss." She grinned at Ava. "She wants me to come back to work for her, but I told her we liked snowball fights, don't we, pumpkin?"

But Ava just stared at her, her eyes wide, her arms still tight around Maddox's neck, not believing her. God, she'd thought that look was gone from Ava's eyes, but it was back, as much as it had been before they moved. She shot a desperate look at Maddox.

Maddox picked up the phone, and she saw that the call was still active. He noticed as well, and silently moved the phone toward his hip. "How about we show your mom how to make the Stockton mac and cheese, since that's Alfred's favorite. You can show her the special Stockton recipe."

Ava's face lit up, and she loosened her grip on him just enough for him to slide her into Hannah's arms. "What do we have for cheese in the fridge? Can you check, Ava? I need to check the wood stove, and then I'll be right back." He gave Hannah a long look, then stood up and strode out of the room with his phone, pulling the door shut behind him.

Hannah hugged Ava, fighting to slow her racing heart. Maddox would help her. Maddox would know what to do. It wasn't just them. She knew he wouldn't leave her, not right now. "Want to make macaroni and cheese, sweetie?"

Ava shook her head. She just stared at Hannah, and put two fingers on her chin. It was the sign they'd created for Ava to tell Hannah when she was scared. She hadn't used it at all since they'd arrived in Wyoming...until now.

Ava was too perceptive. There was no way to lie to her and tell her that everything was okay. It wasn't, and Ava knew it. Hannah mustered a smile, though, and set Ava on her lap so she was facing her. "I know you're scared, baby, but Maddox is here. He's going to help us."

Ava shook her head and pointed to the front room.

"I know he said he was leaving. I don't think he's going to, though." Hannah hesitated. How much could she promise? "But if he has to leave, his brothers will help us. We're not alone anymore, pumpkin. We have help."

Ava put her fingers on her chin again.

"You want Maddox, don't you?"

Ava nodded.

"Me, too. But we'll find a way, I promise." She pulled Ava into her arms, hugging her tightly, while she started counting how many hours they had until the man who'd murdered her sister would show up at their house.

* * *

The anger was back.

It was the same boiling anger that had surged over him when he'd seen his dad hit Beth, an anger that he had crushed ruthlessly for so long. And now...it was back...

And it was a thousand times fiercer.

Swearing silently, Maddox closed his eyes, his hand balling into a fist as he listened to Hannah's messages for a second time. Son of a bitch. His muscles twitched with the need to react, but he stayed still, utterly still.

For the third time in his life, a violent bastard was after someone he loved.

First, his mother.

Second, Beth.

Third...Hannah and Ava. Only this time, the goal of the bastard was to kill them.

For a split second, Maddox couldn't think. All he could see was Hannah and Ava, lying in that same casket that had taken his mother from him. "No!" He let out a roar of denial, then strode across the room, took a deep breath to make sure he stayed calm, and then opened the kitchen door.

Ava and Hannah were still sitting on the kitchen floor, their arms wrapped around each other. The relief at seeing them safe and unharmed was staggering, so overwhelming that he literally went down on his knees in front of them. Unable to speak, he wrapped his arms around them and pulled them both against him. Ava's arm snapped around his neck, and Hannah leaned into him. For a long moment, none of them said anything. He was aware of Ava's soft breathing against the side of his neck, and the tension in Hannah's body. He focused on the warmth of Hannah as she pressed her body against his, on the feeling of her, solid and alive.

It took several minutes before his heart stopped pounding, and the tension eased from his body. They were both safe. They were in his arms. And there was no threat to them, not right now. He took another deep breath, then pulled back slightly, enough that he could look at Hannah's face. Ava's arms were wrapped so tightly around his neck that there was no chance that he could pull away from her.

He met Hannah's gaze. "I'm staying."

The relief on her face was so tremendous that he felt his throat tighten. He had never had anyone look at him like he could save their world, but Hannah was looking at him that way right now. Her eyes glittered with unshed tears, and she nodded. "I was really hoping you would say that," she said. "I'm really not that good at asking for help, or even accepting help, but I really need it this time."

He sighed, feeling calmer now that she had agreed to let him stay. He slid his hand under her jaw and leaned forward, kissing her gently. "Sweetheart," he said. "There isn't a chance in hell I would walk away from you and Ava right now."

She nodded. "Thank you."

Ava pulled back then, and she searched his face, her vibrant blue eyes fastened to his as if he were the angel she'd been waiting for.

Maddox took her hands and folded them in his, looking right at her. "Ava, pumpkin, I know you're scared, but I'm really, really good at protecting people. I promise you that I will stay in this house, with you and your mom, for as long as it takes to make sure that you both are completely safe forever. Do you understand?"

Ava nodded, staring at him. She looked back at Hannah and made a gesture with her hand.

Maddox didn't understand the gesture, but Hannah glanced at him, and then back at her daughter. "Sweetie, Maddox and I have to talk about some things, before we tell you what's going on. But I promise you that we're all going to be okay, and that we're all safe." She leaned forward until her face was only inches from her daughter's. "I promise you that nothing is going to happen to me. Do you hear me? Nothing bad is going to happen to me. You aren't going to lose me. I promise."

Ava let go of Maddox and crawled onto Hannah's lap. She wrapped her arms around Hannah and pressed her face against Hannah's throat. Hannah hugged her tightly, so tightly that Maddox's throat ached. There was so much love between them, so much trust, so much need. There was no way in hell he was going to let any harm come to them, no matter what it took to keep them safe.

"I'm going to go in the other room and call Chase," he said to Hannah. "And I'm going to call the sheriff, Dane Wilson. I'd trust him with my life. I want to get some more information, and get some help. Okay?"

Hannah nodded. "We need to leave."

Maddox wasn't so sure about that. He'd seen people like Rick before. If the son of a bitch was willing to track her to Wyoming, he'd keep on looking until he found her, even if it took months. But Maddox had caught plenty of bastards in his life, and he was catching this one. "Maybe." He looked at Ava. "Pumpkin, I'm starving, and we both know your mom isn't the best cook. Do you think you can remember the ingredients for mac and cheese? Help her out while I call my brother? I thought I might invite him over for dinner." He winked at her. "Did you know Lissa has a daughter? She's a little older than you are, but she's super cool. Maybe she'd come over and hang out, too. Would you like that? And my brother Zane has two boys. The younger one is about your age. Maybe they can all come? Does that sound good to have some friends?"

Ava stared at him, then slowly nodded.

"Awesome. Let's start cooking. We'll need it. I have a big family." He glanced at Hannah. "Cool with you?"

"Do you really think you should bring everyone here?"

He thought about that for a minute. He'd been thinking that hosting a family dinner would create safety in numbers. Even a fool wouldn't attack with a houseful of people, but maybe Rick would. "You know, you're right. Let's go to Chase's for dinner. He's an amazing cook. Grab your boots, kiddo. It's cold out there."

Ava brightened, and she stood up and tugged on Hannah's hand. Hannah rose to her feet, managing a bright smile for the benefit of her daughter. "Maybe you should call ahead to tell them we're coming?"

Maddox nodded. "Trust me, I'm going to make a few calls."

He waited until Hannah and Ava were out of the room, then he made a quick call to Chase. He made another call to Dane, who agreed to meet at Chase's. Then he paused, debating. He knew Hannah would kill him. He also knew he'd never forgive himself if he didn't use every resource possible to keep her safe. After a long moment, he made a decision and dialed one more phone number.

A man answered on the first ring. "Brody here."

"Hey, Brody. My name's Maddox Stockton, and I'm calling about Hannah."