“Are you alright, darlin’?” he whispered.
“No,” she whispered, her voice barely audible over the murmur of the crowd. “They scare me, Rawley.”
“I know, baby, but I won’t let them do anything to you.” He brushed a strand of hair from her pale face.
“What if you hadn’t been close?” Her fingers clutched his desperately.
“But I was.” He held her gaze steadily.
“This time.” Her bottom lip quivered.
Rawley sighed, his breath warm against her cheek. “Call me no matter what. I’ll know what to do.” He squeezed her fingers. “No matter when, Skylar. I will get to you or send someone who can.”
She huffed out a breath and nodded. “Alright.”
“You did the right thing by texting me.”
“I didn’t think you were able to do anything.”
“As I said, if I can’t, I’ll find someone who can.” He got to his feet, put his hat on and looked at the line of people. “Looks like you got a good crowd.”
She smiled. “Yes, and they’re all wonderful.”
“Of course, they are. I’ll talk to you later.” He grinned, leaned down, kissed the top of her head, then after touching the brim of his hat, he strode from the store.
****
Skylar watched as he sauntered out the door, his broad shoulders disappearing into the golden afternoon light with those tight Wranglers hugging that perfect ass. She glanced at the line of people, mostly women of all ages, who were craningtheir necks to catch one last glimpse of him. When they all turned back to her, faces flushed with a mixture of envy and curiosity, she couldn’t help but laugh at their wide eyes and knowing smiles.
“Honey, no wonder you write bestsellers,” an older woman with a cloud of silver hair and tortoiseshell glasses perched on her nose said, fanning herself with her book. A chorus of murmured agreement rippled through.
Skylar shook her head, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear as she held her hand out for the woman’s book. She signed it with a flourish and continued chatting with her readers even as a knot formed in her stomach. She knew those men were still out there somewhere, and for the life of her, she couldn’t understand why they didn’t just leave her alone.
When her time ended, she stood, stretched her arms over her head and groaned when she heard her back cracking.
“It was fun,” Sydney said as she picked up the few books not sold.
“I had a great time.” Skylar looked at Sydney. “I’m so sorry for the disruption.”
“Don’t be. I’m glad Rawley got here quick and Killian following.”
“He’s very handsome.” Skylar smiled.
“He is. He’s married to my best friend, Celine.”
“Celine at The Everyday Grind?”
“Yes.”
“She is so nice. We introduced ourselves one day. I didn’t know her husband was a livestock agent.”
“Killian came here to work on a case and ended up staying. Those two are head over heels in love.”
Skylar sighed. “I’ll help you clean up, then head home.”
“No, you go ahead. We’ve got this. Go home and relax.”
“I’ll try, but I can’t get those men out of my head.”
