Page 42 of Protecting Flora

She hadn’t ever expected love in her life. It was beyond what she’d understood, but with Q, it was easy to see what love was. She was lucky to have found him. Maybe it was destiny or something more, but she loved him, and he loved her.

23

Flora held on tight to Q’s hand as they stood outside the courtroom. She’d been asked to testify. There wasn’t a jury, so it was just in front of the judge. She was afraid, though. This would be the first time she was seeing anyone from the community.

A part of her worried that she would end up back with them. She never wanted to end up back in the community. She and Q were planning on getting married. Their life was great, and she was happy. Still, worry ate at her.

The door opened and her name was called. Since she didn’t have a last name, she’d called Henley, asking her if she could use her last name. So hearing the name Flora McClure gave her pride. She knew her name would change after she married Q, but still she took pride being connected to a strong woman who had helped her realize her potential.

She stepped into the courtroom, and Q stepped in behind her, taking a seat in the row behind the state’s attorney. She held her head high as she moved to the place where she would sit. The state’s attorney had gone over everything, even telling her what court would look like.

She didn’t look at her father at all. Her stomach cramped, and her heart hammered like she was doing a workout with Q. That was one thing he’d gotten her into, working out. Not that she could keep up, but she enjoyed doing something that had been strictly prohibited by the leaders of the community.

The breathing exercises Henley taught her were helping, but the stress of being on the stand with her father only ten feet from her was overwhelming. She looked beyond the desk with the attorneys to Q. Just a smile from him comforted her. He winked and gave her a look that told her he believed in her. Q would protect her. He wouldn’t let anything happen. The state’s attorney stood and came around the desk, and Flora drew in a deep breath. She could handle the questions, and she could handle being here. Q made her stronger. He loved her and helped her become the person she was meant to be. Together, they could get through anything.

24

Flora grabbed another hamburger bun and smiled at Zip as he placed the burger patty on her plate. “Thank you.”

“No, thank you for this great idea. A celebration was what we all needed.”

“Yes!” Talia cheered.

Ellis nodded. “I’m so happy that the judge sentenced the leaders of that cult to thirty years to life.”

Q hugged her from behind. “We were thrilled. They took Flora’s testimony seriously.”

Her lips spread into a wide smile. “I’m thrilled. It was scary having to sit across from him, but it was worth it. It’s over now, and I can relax.”

Clove stood from the chair she’d been sitting in and waddled over to give her a hug. They both laughed as Clove’s belly prevented her from getting too close.

“How much longer?” Flora asked her.

“Two weeks max. I hope. I’m ready to be done with this part.”

Neo was right there, her hand on her mother’s arm, helping her. “She needs at least two weeks. For the best gestational outcome, the baby should stay in for fifteen more days.”

Clove snorted. “If she’s as stubborn as you, she won’t stay in that long.”

Neo gasped. “I’m not stubborn.”

Bud came over and directed Neo’s attention to the kites that were being flown closer to the water.

Clove shook her head. “She’s a great kid, but she doesn’t hold back.”

Flora nodded. “I like her. She’s sweet.”

“She is.”

“I’m glad I escaped and found Q and found you all. This is better than I ever imagined. Thank you all.”

Q squeezed her shoulder. “You’ve made my life better. I’m glad you ran into me out there in that forest. You could have gone anywhere else, taken a turn, or not taken one and never found me. We were meant to be together.”

Flora hugged him close, knowing he was right. Somehow, through all the messed up stuff she’d lived through, she’d found a wonderful man. That she also found friends who had her back made it even that much more special. This was her life, and it was amazing.

The End