Chapter 42: Chapter 42: Stella's Reign

Stella wakes early Sunday morning, the sun only just starting to peek over the treetops, and heads down to the kitchen for some coffee. It’s been two weeks since Erin was injured, one week since he left to recuperate at home.

Stella didn’t question his insistence. She remembers the pout pulling Victor’s lips down when he told her Erin wanted to rest at home. The glee she felt at that moment made her fingers shake. Of course, Victor had mistaken it as fear toward Erin’s safety and started reassuring her that he wouldn’t let anything bad happen.

She walks to the sink and stares at Natalie and John working. While she’s been overjoyed not having to smell Erin’s sweet scent of rain, him not working at the ranch means Victor isn’t at the ranch either. Within the past week, after Erin woke up, Victor’s only come home twice. He practically lives at the Storm house now!