Part of Your World, #1
Part of Your World
by Abby Jimenez
Contents
Chapter 27
Overview
Alexis arrives in Wakan for what she believes is her last night with Daniel. The town throws her a thank-you party for saving Hannah and Emelia’s baby, and Daniel gifts her a heart-shaped stone. Their intimate walk and kiss are shattered when they witness Jake assaulting Liz, forcing Alexis and Daniel to intervene.
Alexis treats Liz, outlines a covert escape plan, and documents abuse instead of calling police at Liz’s request, deepening Alexis’s resolve and complicating her plan to leave Daniel and Wakan behind.
Summary
After rebuffing Neil’s faux tenderness and driving to Wakan numb from losing a teenage patient, Alexis arrives at the Grant House for what she intends to be her final night with Daniel. Daniel greets her warmly and, on their walk to dinner, gifts her a smooth heart-shaped stone he searched two hours to find, moving her deeply.
At the VFW, a surprise town party thanks Alexis for saving Hannah and Emelia’s baby, Lily. Alexis soaks in the community’s appreciation, teaches Doug the somersault maneuver for nuchal cord, and treats Hannah’s probable mastitis with antibiotics via Hal. Observing Liz’s flat affect at news of Brian’s date, Alexis senses trouble.
After dinner, Daniel shows Alexis the Grants’ multigenerational legacy of protecting Wakan, underscoring his rooted calling. Alexis quietly offers to loan him the remaining $50,000 to save Grant House; Daniel refuses but promises to ask if fundraising fails. Under moonlit apple blossoms, they share a transformative kiss that makes Alexis doubt she can leave.
The moment is shattered when Jake screeches up in a cruiser, yanks Liz by the hair, and abandons her on the curb. Daniel and Alexis rush to help. Back at Grant House, Alexis cleans Liz’s wounds and notes older injuries indicating ongoing abuse. Daniel wants to call police, but Alexis explains the cycle of abuse, Liz’s lack of safety, and the risks if she isn’t ready to leave.
They devise a plan: provide Liz with resources—money, a secret phone, transport, and a safe place—when she’s ready. Alexis drives Liz home, listens as Liz describes Jake’s jealousy about Brian, and assures her she’s believed and undeserving of violence. Alexis secures Liz’s agreement to covertly document incidents and photographs injuries, and prescribes birth control to prevent entrapment. Respecting Liz’s plea, Alexis does not file a report, accepting the moral burden while preparing for a future escape.
Who Appears
- AlexisEmergency physician; honored by Wakan, receives Daniel’s heart rock, witnesses Jake assault Liz, treats her, plans a covert escape, prescribes birth control.
- DanielMayor/innkeeper; gifts Alexis a heart-shaped stone, showcases his family’s legacy, shares a pivotal kiss, and commits to helping Liz safely leave Jake.
- LizBartender trapped in an abusive relationship; publicly assaulted by Jake, treated by Alexis, agrees to document abuse and accept discreet support.
- JakeCounty sheriff; violently yanks Liz from the cruiser and abandons her, previous abuse implied. His status complicates reporting and accountability.
- HannahNew mother of Lily; thanks Alexis at the party, seeks help for painful, warm breast, receives antibiotics for likely mastitis.
- EmeliaHannah’s partner; credits Alexis with saving Lily during delivery and participates in thanking her at the VFW.
- DougDeputy; learns the somersault delivery technique from Alexis, shares concerns about past mistakes, and reacts to Liz’s situation.
- HalPharmacist; opens the pharmacy after hours to fill antibiotics for Hannah at Alexis’s direction.
- BrianLocal with new drive-in; off on a date, his mention triggers Jake’s jealousy that escalates Liz’s assault.
- HunterDaniel’s dog; enthusiastically greets Alexis on arrival at the Grant House.