Bitterroot Valley shaken not stirred

The idea of meeting his son seemed to brighten Luke's haggard features, though this momentary hint at a smile fell nearly as rapidly as it had formed. Smash's head tilted to the side as he struggled to articulate, silent and patient. She could have teased him for stumbling so much, yet she didn't dare make light of him at this moment. She sensed something very heavy in the air between them and though her default setting was definitely "goofy as hell," Smash was more than capable of a little sincerity now and again.

She felt the blood drain from her face, her lips pressing together, at his admission. Being attacked was scary enough but being raped? By a mountain lion? That was brutal. Actually, that was beyond description. Smash's tongue felt thick in her mouth even as her lips parted again in an attempt to respond to Luke's confession. She couldn't find any words. What did you say to something like that? She knew she had to say something, though, because it could not have been easy for Luke to share that with her.

His last few words—"I have so much anger"—finally spurred Smash's tongue into life. "I bet," she whispered very quietly. "Luke, I'll admit I'm not sure what to say other than that I'm really sorry this happened to you." She paused thoughtfully, weighing out more words. "Is there anything—anything—I can do to help?"