Rebel Heart

"Tim, you're not going to order Brady to marry me," she said with a faint smile. "He was delirious anyway."

"Nonetheless, it will be arranged." Tim's voice held a note of resolution she recognized. He'd made up his mind.

"Tim-" she objected.

"It is done. Now, I have half a country to salvage. No contact, unless there's an emergency. And keep those keys safe. I've made arrangements to have anyone watching me assume they're going with me to Colorado," he said as he rose. "When things calm down, I'll tell you more about my shared history with Brady's family."

"Wait, you're not insisting we marry to unite the two families or something elitist, are you?" she asked.

"Of course not." His faint smile said otherwise.

"Was this your plan all along?"

"Take care."

Anger at her newfound father rose. He left before she could say more. Instead, she sat and stewed. He'd either played everyone around him like the politician he was, or he'd simply seized on an opportunity that she and Brady created.

Her thoughts turned to the mansion on the lake and to the idea of spending her life there with Brady. Lana sat back in her chair, imagining a simpler life with her Guardian. Once again, she gave her benefactor the benefit of the doubt. Whatever Tim's intentions, he'd agreed to let her out of his political game.

She found herself intrigued and hopeful.

Elise appeared in the doorway with Dan. Lana looked up and smiled, happy to see her friend.

"C'mon. They're holding the helo to take you home," Elise said, holding the door open.

"I want to stay."

"I'll stay. You need to clean up and eat," Dan directed.

Lana hesitated then looked down at herself again. She rose and trailed Elise out of the medical facility and into the awaiting helo.

The helo flew west, towards the border with Idaho. Lana held her head in her hands as they flew, exhausted. They reached the ranch beside the lake, and her spirits lifted.

She took in the multistory, quadruple A-frame lodge that would become her new home. She recalled how empty her condo had felt when she went back to it two weeks ago. She was free of service to Tim, of the fourteen-hour days and political games.

For the first time since she could remember, she had a home. There was only thing missing from the scene before her.