Chapter 12

Natalie sat their day and night but Amber wouldn't come out of the room to eat or anything though Natalie would slip her food under the door. It didn't make much difference until after two weeks staying by that door, Amber finally opened the door.

"Ya know their is a million women out there for ya, and ya still waited for me." Amber said.

"I am here for you, not someone else, including your drunk best friend though Sheila can clean excellent and work hard on those horses for you." Natalie replied.

"Sweetheart, I am not worthy of you. I am worthy of Sarah whose heart is attached to me." Amber responded thoughtfully.

"She is gone, Amber. I don't know how long she has been gone but she isn't returning." Natalie replied.

"Darlin' I know she is gone but that doesn't mean I have to move on because I am not over her. You wouldn't understand though, you were in a straight relationship longer than I was with my wife." Amber responded by carrying her southern tone.

"I do understand mental and physical abuse, Sarah loved to hurt you and I hate seeing you hurt over her but comparing my husband to your wife is no different than being with someone else, anyone else. Amber, I came back for you but I made a mistake sitting here for two weeks waiting for you to come out and now for you to push me away. It is either you are with me or without me not both." Natalie replied with a deep sigh.

"DON'T YOU EVER TALK TO ME ABOUT SARAH AND HER ABUSE! I love her no matter how much she treated me badly. You darlin' need to learn to stay out of my business and let me deal with this." Amber responded as she fought tears.

Natalie didn't stand anyone yelling at her but she gave Amber more of a stand down, she wasn't budging on any factor that led to a big fight. They hadn't known each other long but it was starting to show that Amber isn't always going to be in her head. Natalie heard Sheila come up behind her when she spoke directly to Amber not afraid of hurting her the least where it counted and that was in the heart.

"Sarah didn't love you and you know it because all she cared about was making you suffer whether good or bad days. She mentally and physically made you the worst out look to herself. Amber, I know you loved her but I am going to say this so you can hear me loud and clear. I am glad she is dead and you can move on to someone who could also love you and give you the world. Natalie may be a city woman and still legally married but at least she makes you happy." Sheila said through vile in her voice.

Before Natalie could stop Sheila from saying anymore Amber went back inside her room but didn't close the door all the way. Natalie decided to walk downstairs with Sheila behind her and that is when they hugged one another. They pulled away looking at one another.

"I never really introduced myself, I am Sheila White and I am Amber Starr's best friend." Sheila said giggling.

"I am Natalie Holden and the woman you met at the airport was Dana Hopkins though I will never see her again." Natalie replied smiling.

"Only because she is jealous of your romance to be with Amber that was a smoking hot passionate kiss if I do say so myself." Sheila responded winking.

"You need a girlfriend though that kiss did feel amazing." Natalie replied thinking about it.

Natalie couldn't help but laugh with Sheila out loud then conversation went back to serious and took a needle to them both.

"We do need to get Amber some help, somehow, she needs to be stable and in her right mind." Natalie said in a serious tone.

"Not happening, Amber is known to refuse help of any type including for her mental state but she is known to help herself get better as the days go on." Sheila responded.

"You made her wait it out? What would possess you to do that? Sheila, she needs help badly and the way she kept calling me Sarah is rather scary. You can't expect her to be better as time passes by, you know she could kill herself." Natalie replied with worry in her voice.

"Amber wouldn't kill herself but getting her that kind of help will make her hate me, us, more than what she sees good for. Reality is she needs someone to love her and accept her for who she is no matter what." Sheila responded.

Natalie couldn't believe what she was hearing that no one dared to help Amber, not even a little to make sure she is stable and can handle day to day life. She doesn't recall when Amber came out to take care of the horses or anything, it felt like the world flew on by while she hid herself. Natalie heard the sound of boots coming from the stairs as she and Sheila looked in that direction to see Amber looking better than normal with her long blonde hair washed, cleaned clothes, and a big smile on her face.

"Amber, are you okay?" Natalie asked.

"Darlin' I am perfectly fine, you and Sheila can go rest easy while I take care of what needs to be done around here. I will be making dinner here at five." Amber replied.

Natalie and Sheila looked at each other completely stunned of the three sixty that happened with Amber. This is so unusual for anyone. Natalie watched Amber walk out that door as she decided to chase after her and see what happened but as she did, she saw Amber looking directly at her with what wasn't going to end on a good note by the stare down Amber had at Natalie. Natalie decided this was not the time or place to be standing in front of Amber but she needed to see where they stood, it's been two weeks and the friendship or relationships or whatever it is hasn't moved.