Hayes pressed a soft kiss to my temple. “Just rest.”
“Okay.”
It didn’t matter either way. I would just have to hold on until everyone walked away. Then I could leave on my terms.
“Why the hell haven’t you arrested him?”
My head snapped up at Tim’s biting words. Hayes stood, his hand going to my shoulder. “Careful, Tim.”
He waved an arm towards the door. “He just barged in here. He could’ve had a weapon. Could’ve hurt her or worse.”
I struggled to my feet, my legs still feeling a bit wobbly. “He’s doing everything he can, Tim.”
“There’s an all-points bulletin out on him now. We’re going to bring him in.”
“And then what?” Tim demanded.
“Then, Everly is going to file a restraining order.”
I opened my mouth to argue and then shut it again. I’d have to file the papers, if only in hopes of protecting my employer’s business. That was if I even still had a job. Maybe my time in Wolf Gap would be coming to a close sooner than expected. My chest constricted with the thought that, one day, I wouldn’t feel those familiar hands cupping my face anymore. Would never push into that touch. And that was enough to break my heart, more than a little.
33
Hayes
“Stop hovering. It’s annoying, and it’s starting to piss me off.”
My father covered his chuckle with a cough at Everly’s words. I sent a scowl in his direction before stopping my pacing to rub Ev’s shoulders. She, Dad, and Shiloh were poring over some plans for the rest of the paddocks, including some sort of weird play equipment for the goats that would one day be housed in one of them.
I pressed into the knots along her shoulder blades. “I’m not hovering.”
“You are,” Shiloh muttered.
“Traitor.”
Everly turned in her seat, shaking my hands free. “Go have a beer with Calder.”
“He said he was fine coming here.”
“And I said you’re driving me crazy. Go. We’re not going to be invaded by zombies, and my brother is locked up at the station.”
It had taken us all day to track Ian down, and I’d chosen to hold him. I hoped a night sleeping next to whatever intoxicated individual my deputies brought in might loosen his tongue. And, in the meantime, Everly had signed the papers we’d put before a judge. She now had an emergency restraining order in place. She’d have to go back for a permanent one in a few weeks, but at least we had something.
I just wasn’t overly convinced that Ian would take it seriously or that her uncle wouldn’t retaliate in some way. I’d been on edge all afternoon and had a deputy sitting outside the vet’s office just in case. “I just want to make sure you’re safe.”
She motioned around the room. “I’ve got company with cell phones if there’s an emergency. I’ve got Koda. And I’ve got Betty.”
My brows pulled together. “Betty?”
“My shotgun.”
Shiloh snorted a laugh and leaned back in her chair. “Get lost, brother. You’re cramping our style.”
I’d noticed that Shiloh was talking a little more since she’d built a sort of friendship with Everly. Not epic, heartfelt confessions or anything but simply joining in a little more—even if it was at my expense.
“Go on, Hayes. We won’t leave until you’re back,” my father said.
Everly stiffened. “I appreciate the gesture, Gabe, but I’m perfectly capable of watching my own back. I’ve been doing it a long time.”