Once she’d cleaned her face and ordered a coffee, she called Emma to ask if she’d be able to come and collect her.
“Are you sure you’re all right?”
Cassie grimaced. “My jeans are muddy and my feet are still wet. I amused the cop who came to take my statement. Apart from that, I’m fine.” She didn’t mention the sore muscles where the seat belt had dug into her as she jerked to a halt in the ditch. Those were nothing and would heal.
“Hang on,” Emma said.
Cassie heard her talking to someone in the background.
“You there, Cassie?”
“Yeah.”
“I’m over the bridge on the other side of Auckland. Jack is working a case in town and can’t get away.”
“Oh, I’ll see if I can call a cab.”
“Hone is in Papakura. He said he’ll come and get you.”
“Don’t worry. I can get a cab.”
“Too late. He’s already on his way. Are you sure you’re all right?”
“Yes.”
“Did you take photos of the damage?”
“Good gravy, it didn’t occur to me. I have the police report to give to the rental company.”
“Take a copy of it first,” Emma said.
“Will do. Thanks, Emma.”
“No thanks necessary.”
Cassie heard voices in the background.
“Gotta go,” Emma said. “See you later.”
Cassie set her phone on the table with a loud sigh. Hone had been so grumpy last night. Although initially attracted to him, she’d put up with Kevin’s moodiness and didn’t intend to do it for another man. She drank her coffee, her mind drifting as an idea for a song came to her. She grabbed her notebook and started scribbling down random lyrics while humming under her breath.
“Cassie.”
She glanced up to find Hone, his big frame practically vibrating with tension. He hauled her to her feet as if she weighed nothing, and wrapped his arms around her in a tight embrace.
“You’re okay,” he murmured against her ear.
Her muscles, already abused, protested the fierceness of his hug, but it felt good to have his support. Tears burned at her eyes—delayed reaction from the accident.
She tried to suck in a breath. Couldn’t. “Too tight,” she gasped.
Hone released her, and she half fell back onto her seat.
“Thanks for coming to get me.”
“Are you okay?” Hone pulled out the other chair at her table and sat. “What happened?”
His expression darkened as she told him about the truck. “What did the cop say?”
