Page 62 of In Her Way

“I think these abilities are part of who you are,” Jenna replied carefully.“Maybe it’s time to try a different approach to them.”

Piper took a deep breath.“That feels right to me.But what if next time, I can’t control them?”

“Then we’ll face that together,” Jenna said firmly.“You’re not alone anymore, Piper.You have me, Mom, Frank, Jake, Dr.White.A whole support system.”

Mom’s face clouded.“I was already worried enough about one daughter facing danger.Now I have to worry about both of you?”

“Mom,” Jenna began.

“No, let me finish.”Mom interrupted.“I’ve spent twenty years worrying about you both.Worrying about where Piper was, if she was safe.Worrying about you, Jenna, putting yourself at risk as sheriff.But I’ve finally realized something.”Her voice softened.“You’re both extraordinary women with gifts that most people can’t even comprehend.And those gifts come with responsibilities that I can’t shield you from, no matter how much I might want to.”

“So you’re okay with me working with Jenna?”Piper asked hesitantly.“Using what I sense to help her?”

Mom’s laugh was small and slightly broken.“Okay’ might be too strong a word.But I accept it.And I’m proud of you both—terrified, but proud.”

Piper’s eyes welled with tears.“I’ve felt like a stranger in my own skin for so long.Like I was living someone else’s life.Emma’s life.”She looked around the kitchen.“This is the first time since I’ve been back that I truly feel like I’m home.Like I belong here.Like I’m Piper Graves again.”

Jenna felt her own throat tighten with emotion.“You do belong here,” she said.“You always have.”

Mom wiped at her eyes.“And now that we’ve settled that, I think we all need some sleep.It’s been an impossibly long night.”

“You two go ahead,” Jenna said, rising from her chair.“I should get home.”

“You could stay,” Mom offered.“Your old bed is still made up.”

Jenna shook her head.“Thanks, but I need my own space right now.Some time to process everything.”She hugged her mother, then turned to Piper.“You did good tonight.You saved a life.”

Piper’s embrace was fierce.“Be careful driving home,” she said as they separated.“You look exhausted.”

“I’ll take it slow,” Jenna promised.

She left them preparing for bed, Mom fussing over Piper in a way that seemed to comfort them both.Outside, the sun was rising, bathing Trentville in the clean light of a new day.

As Jenna drove toward home, her thoughts circled back to what Elena had said during her confession.“There’s always darkness waiting in a community.Always damaged threads that need correction.”The woman had been deranged, her methods monstrous, but Jenna couldn’t entirely dismiss the core of her observation.Trentville had seen more than its share of darkness lately, and she doubted Elena’s arrest would be the end of it.

But for the first time in twenty years, she wouldn’t be facing that darkness alone.Piper was home.Piper was healing.And together, perhaps they stood a better chance against whatever shadows might be gathering on the horizon.