??
“I’ll definitely be back soon.”
“We’ll be glad to have you. Welcome to town.”
Jill hadn’t recognized my name when we’d engaged in idle chitchat as I ordered, so I figured she was newer to Wolf Gap. But I was grateful for a friendly face, and a spot where I knew prying eyes wouldn’t greet me. “Thank you. I hope you have a good rest of your day.”
I pushed to my feet and headed back towards the vet’s office. I had time to meander if I wanted to. Maybe pop into a shop or two. But as I peeked into windows, my mind traveled to the same place it had dozens of other times over the past few days.
Hayes hadn’t returned to the cabin this weekend. And he hadn’t called or texted. I felt a flare of disappointment that was completely irrational. I barely knew the man, and he didn’t even like me. His father, on the other hand, was a complete charmer. He’d made me laugh, even after he’d informed me that we needed to tear down the barn. And he’d helped me take down the rest of the dilapidated fencing.
Yet, I couldn’t stop myself from worrying about Hayes. The call he’d received. I’d never known anyone who ran straight towards danger every day at their job. And it was clear why. Hayes was a protector. And he’d likely become that way because of Shiloh’s kidnapping.
That familiar swirl of guilt, anger, and grief swept through me. That potent array always seemed to be nearby. My brain knew that my father’s actions weren’t mine to take responsibility for, but the rest of me had a harder time recognizing that fact.
A shadow fell across the sidewalk in front of me. “What the hell are you wearing?”
I lifted my head to see Ian glaring at me in disgust, Ben just a few paces behind him. Instead of answering, I did my best to step around the man who used to be my brother. But he blocked my path. “I’m talking to you.”
“And I’m walking away.”
Ian grabbed my elbow, yanking me back. “You don’t walk away when I’m speaking to you.”
I tore my arm free. “Touch me again, and I’ll make it so the possibility of you having children is non-existent.”
He chuckled, throwing a look at Ben. “Isn’t that cute? She thinks she can defend herself.”
“Quit it, Ian,” Ben barked, pushing him back.
“What? I can’t hit her with the cold, hard truth?”
Ben looked at me. “Are you okay?”
“I’m fine,” I gritted out. “I can take care of myself.”
Ian stalked towards me, the flare of rage in his eyes so familiar that it sent memories hurtling at me one after the other. “You need to be taught some manners, Everly.”
Ben stepped between us, pushing my brother back. “Enough. You need to cool off, Ian. Evie, get out of here.”
I didn’t argue. I simply left. I didn’t run, but I fled, just like I had all those years ago. I hurried down the street and slipped inside the vet’s office.
Tim looked up from his desk. “Hey, how was lunch?”
“Good,” I choked out and went straight for the break room. I knew Miles was gone for the afternoon, and the other vet tech, Kelly, had gone to lunch with her boyfriend.
I sank into an empty plastic chair and put my head between my legs. Flashes of light and memory slammed into me: Ian dragging me by the hair as I clawed at his arm and begged him to stop, the slap of his open palm against my face, the taste of blood in my mouth.
I struggled to breathe as tears slipped out of my eyes. I’d thought I was so much stronger than this. Yet here I was, falling apart. My lungs trembled as I willed them under control.
“Hey, Everly? Tim said you were back here. I wanted—” Hayes’ words cut off as he caught sight of me. He was the last person I wanted to see me this way. He crouched in front of me. “Hey, what’s going on?”
I forced myself to sit up, but I couldn’t disguise the shaking. “Nothing, I’m fine.”
His concern morphed into a scowl. “You’re not fine. You’re shaking like a leaf, and your face has no color in it at all.”
I closed my eyes for a moment as if I could make it all disappear. The run-in with Ian. Hayes witnessing my weakness. I wanted to simply float away.
“I can’t help if you don’t tell me what’s going on.”