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instead. No matter how much she told herself to accept, her head wouldn t listen. She just kept
shaking it, no.
She noticed Chad visibly relax at her refusal.
I don t understand it. You re still as stubborn as ever, even with amnesia, he said, but
there was also pride in his tone. She could see he was proud of her for taking a stance. For some
reason, his approval meant a lot to her.
I just want to keep you safe, he pled.
I know you do. I m overwhelmed with all the love you ve given me. I know it won t take
long for me to remember everything. With a family like mine, I have to. It would be a crime to lose an
obviously great life, she said, soothing his feelings.
Though she was trying to make him feel better, she found that she meant the words. She
wanted to remember her past, her family. Even if the worst were to occur and she never regained her
past, she would love them anyway.
Bree, maybe it would be better if you just went back home. I know you don t have your
memory back, but as the only impartial person in the room, I think I can speak honestly without a lot
of emotions getting involved. Someone is obviously out to get you, and you don t know who it is. It
seems the smart thing to do would be to go home, where your family can keep you safe, Charlie said.
Bree looked at him blankly, not having a clue who he was.
Sorry, Bree. This is Charlie, my best friend. You ll remember everyone after a while. He
wanted to come to the hospital, but got called away on business, Trenton said.
I m Sorry, Charlie. I still don t have my memory back, Bree said, feeling bad when she
saw the hurt expression on his face.
Bree looked over at Chad who was glaring daggers at Charlie and not even trying to hide it.
It seemed Chad didn t like another good-looking man in the room who wasn t related to her. Bree s
hackles stood up and she gave Charlie a hug, partly to make up for not knowing who he was, and
partly to show Chad she could do whatever she liked. She could swear she heard him growl.
She smiled.
We may as well sit down and try to figure this out, George said, and Charlie released her.
Bree thought that was wise, considering she noticed Chad took a menacing step toward them. She
decided to back off Charlie before a fist fight started.
She sat on the couch, where Chad quickly joined her, cutting Charlie off. The testosterone
was flying through the room. Bree wanted to get up and open a window, but dutifully stayed where
she was.
I may not have my memory back, but I know I want independence. I feel safe at Chad s
ranch, and I don t think there s any need for me to be moved. I m not a child, and I don t need to run
home every time I get scared. I hope you can all understand that, Bree stated with little emotion in
her voice. She wanted to make a point without hurting feelings.
You know we re all just concerned about your safety. If you come home until the person
after you has been caught, then none of us will complain when you want your independence, Trenton
said.
Do you run home each time you receive a threat? Bree asked. Trenton laughed as if what
she said was funny, until she raised her eyebrow, letting him know she was waiting for an answer.
That s different, Bree, Trenton said.
How so?
Well& um& you know, he hedged.
No. Obviously, I don t know. So please explain it to me, she said, not backing down.
It s just that, well, I m a guy, he said, and her eyes fired at him. If looks could kill, Trenton
would be dead where he sat.
That is completely chauvinistic and you know it. Just because I m a girl, doesn t mean I m
less than any of you. I ve obviously managed to stay alive this long. I ll admit, getting shot and losing
my memory is not the funnest experience I ve had, not that I can remember my funnest times right now,
but still. You can t treat me like a five year old child. You re acting like pigs, she said as she looked
into the eye of each man in the room.
They looked down uncomfortably, then Chad squeezed her hand. She turned on him.
I may be choosing to stay with you, but the same goes for you. I m only staying because I
think it s important for me to know the father of my child. I won t be treated like an invalid, though,
she said, causing the smile to drop from his lips.
I don t& he began.
Yes, you do, and it needs to stop. I don t mind you wanting to protect me, but you won t
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