“I’ll head over as soon as I’ve finished up lunch.”
Ian swiped his hat off his head. “You’d side with her over the people who have had your back your entire life?”
Ben rolled his eyes heavenward. “It has nothing to do with sides. I’m hungry, and I’d like to finish eating. I need to wait for Addie anyway.”
“I’ll wait for Addie,” Ian gritted out.
Ben opened his mouth to argue, but I waved him off. “Take your sandwich to go. We can catch up another time.”
Ben met my stare as if checking to see if I really meant what I said. The tiny action made my chest tighten. It was a silent promise that he had my back against Ian this time. I gave him a small nod, and he rose, picking up his lunch.
“Does this mean you’re finally learning your place?” Ian asked.
“My place is wherever I want it to be.”
My brother scoffed, turning to Ben. “She always did have grand ideas about what she thought she could be. You might want to keep your distance from that one. She was willing to throw anyone under the bus to get what she wanted. It’s why she’s alone now. Burned every bridge she ever had.”
“I don’t know,” Ben said, “I think a few grand ideas is a good thing.”
He sent me a wink as they took off across the park, and I let out a slow breath. This was what the new normal would likely be. It seemed my brother might be settling, and I could only hope Allen did the same. They would never be friendly, but maybe over time, they would be content with snide jabs and rude comments.
I only hoped that Ben and Addie would be able to withstand them, too. Then maybe I could have both of my worlds and wouldn’t be so alone anymore. Maybe I’d build that rich life I’d always wanted. If I could just hold onto all of the pieces.
“You okay to lock up?” Tim asked as he gathered up his water bottle, phone, and keys.
“No problem. I want to finish up these chart notes so they’re not hanging over my head.”
“Paperwork is everyone’s least favorite thing.”
“And I wouldn’t want you coming after me if I don’t get it finished on time.”
Tim chuckled. “I am pretty terrifying.”
“You’ve got us all quaking in our boots.”
“Right where I want you.”
He waved as he headed out the front door, and I turned back to the file in front of me. Miles had let me take point on Koda’s two-week follow-up today. The pup was healing well and surprisingly spry while lugging around his cast.
I grinned down at the desk. The shepherd was giving Hayes at least a dozen heart attacks a day. He’d been taking Koda to work with him so he could keep an eye on the canine, but Koda wanted to be in everyone’s business and explore every nook and cranny. He was jumping on and off of furniture, but Hayes didn’t have the heart to crate him all day.
Hopefully, in another few weeks, they’d both be free. But I had a feeling Koda was already used to going into the office with Hayes, and Hayes would have trouble keeping him at home now. Maybe Koda could become the Sheriff’s Department mascot.
I moved through my stack of charts as quickly as possible while double-checking my work. Being the new person on the roster meant I wanted to make sure I was pulling my weight and not making more work that others would have to clean up. After scanning the last page one more time, I shut the folder and stood. I raised my hands over my head for a stretch.
The darkness outside the window took me by surprise, and I glanced at my watch. It was after nine. We stayed open late on Thursdays so people who worked could bring in their pets after the close of business, but it made for a late day. My stomach growled as if to punctuate the point.
I had a feeling it was a frozen-pizza kind of night. I quickly filed the charts and moved to pick up my purse. Double-checking that the correct lights were off, I headed for the door.
I made quick work of the alarm and lock and started for my SUV. The moon was almost full, and the sky not quite black yet. It was more of a dark twilight—one of my favorite times of day. Enough light to see by, but it had an almost magical glow to it.
I’d eat my pizza on the back deck tonight. Maybe even make use of the outdoor shower back there. It was certainly warm enough. I beeped the locks on my vehicle, but as I did, a hand curved around my middle, and another around my mouth, jerking me back.
The shock stole the air from my lungs and froze my muscles. Those first few seconds seemed to last a lifetime. Everything tunneled as I realized a cloth covered my mouth. The taste of the cotton and something sweet jerked me out of my frozen state.
I bit down, hard. The man behind me howled in pain, and the cloth fell away. I was hazy and sluggish. Whatever had been on the fabric was already working its way into my system. But I still managed an elbow into my assailant’s ribs.
“Hey, what are you doing? Let her go!”
The voice came from down the street but it sounded so very far away. The arm around me released, and then I was falling. There was blinding pain, and then nothing at all.
23
Hayes
“Here’s a refill, Sheriff.”
I looked up as Cammie slid a Coke across the table. “Thanks, Cam. Just holler at me if I’m keeping you from closing up.”
I’d turned the booth at the bar and grill into my office for the evening. Koda was spending the night with Shiloh, and I hadn’t wanted to go home to an empty house. So, instead, I’d holed up here and worked as I ate.
“You’re fine. We don’t close until eleven.”
I glanced towards the bar end of the space. They were doing steady business, but the restaurant half was pretty much empty. Collecting my papers, I inclined my head to the bench opposite me. “Why don’t you sit for a minute?”
Cammie glanced around to see if anyone needed her, but clearly they didn’t. “Okay.”
I studied the girl across from me. Dark circles rimmed her eyes, and her hands couldn’t seem to keep still. “How are you holding up?”
“I’m doing okay.”
I arched a brow in question, and Cam blew out a breath, sending her bangs fluttering.
“All right. I’ve been better. I’ve had a hard time sleeping.”
“Nightmares?”
She nodded. “And once I have one, I don’t want to go back to sleep.”
“I get that. I’ve been there. After we got Shy back, I had ‘em for almost a year.”
The fluttering of Cammie’s fingers stopped for a moment. “You did?”
“It’s normal. Did the ER doc talk to you about seeing a therapist?”
Her cheeks heated. “Yeah, but I don’t know if that’s for me. I’m not that bad.”
“Cam, there’s nothing to be embarrassed about. Talking to someone about what happened will help you heal. My whole family went for a long time.”
“But nothing actually happened to me. I’m fine. I fought him off.”