Alive and Wells (Wells Ranch, #1)

by Bailey Hannah

KJ doesn’t hit me like the spouses of the women in that group do. He calls me names when he’s angry, but he doesn’t hit me. He screams in my face, but he doesn’t hit me. He smashes wine glasses, plates, and the drywall directly next to my head, but he doesn’t hit me. And maybe he’s threatened it a few times or grabbed me with enough force to leave a mark, but he still hasn’t actually hit me. I’ve been daydreaming about murdering my husband for days—surely that makes me the violent one. Right?

She’s the sunshine of this ranch, bringing light into the parts of me that I thought I’d always keep hidden in the dark.

“I—uh—I came across this book and thought you might like it. Since you’re into history, y’know? It’s about the history of Wells Canyon.” I thrust my hand forward, holding out a flimsy paperback. By “came across”, I mean I specifically went to the local tourist information centre and purchased it after the day at the river. I should’ve cracked the spine, dog-eared a few pages… made it look less new. More believable that it’s just been lying around somewhere.

“I didn’t feel safe at home and wasn’t sure where else to go. I thought I’d be safe here… with you.”

“You don’t need to apologize for things that don’t require apologies.” “I’m sor—”

“Do you always need to make light of literal life or death situations?”

Family dinners were designed by somebody who wants hell on Earth, I’m sure.

The lake’s now in second place. Because sitting around this kitchen table, with my family and the love of my life, is easily my favourite place to be.