Actually, Tommy was now quite demanding about his daily meals. Cody often didn’t get around to feeding him until he finished his shift, something Tommy had become accustomed to, and he’d go so far as to scratch the back door and make loud protests until he got someone’s attention each night.
Something flashed in the woman’s eyes. A small hint of amusement, perhaps? “That’s nice of you.”
“I’m a nice guy. Although my brothers would try to convince you otherwise, but they can be dicks.” He grinned, enjoying the small lift of the corners of her lips. “My name’s Cody Walker, by the way. I’m the owner of this bar.”
“Harper Rain.”
Harper…it suited her. Pretty and feminine but not overly common.
“You’re not mad that you found me in your office?” she asked quietly.
“No. There’s a storm outside, and you’re clearly from out of town. You came in here looking for help, right?”
Relief flickered across her features. “I did.”
Her black eye only told part of the story. Was she searching for help in the middle of the night because she was running from whoever had hit her? Was there an asshole not far behind?
She cleared her throat. “I was wondering if you knew of a motel in the area where I might be able to stay for the night?”
He frowned. Therewasa motel, but it was on the outskirts of town and dirty as hell. No way was he sending this woman there. He’d wonder all damn night if she was okay, and then he wouldn’t sleep.
“Ali Stapler has an inn with a few independent cabins. She’ll be closed now, but I could give her a call and see if she has something available?”
“An inn?” she asked quietly. “That would be expensive, right?”
So, she was short on money too. An abused young woman, caught in a storm in the middle of the night, in a town she didn’t know, who didn’t have money. How much more vulnerable could she get?
“Ali doesn’t charge too much, just one of the reasons everyone loves her. Give me a second and I’ll call her.”
Hope flickered in her eyes, and she nodded.
Pulling his phone from his pocket, he turned and pressed on Ali’s name in his contacts. The woman was middle-aged and motherly. He hated waking her at this hour, but if anyone would understand, it was her.
She answered on the third ring. “Cody, honey, it’s late. Is everything okay?”
“I’m sorry, Ali. I kind of have an emergency. There’s a girl here, just showed up at my bar, who needs a place to stay.” He lowered his voice so his words didn’t travel to Harper. “I think she may be in trouble.”
“What kind of trouble?”
“I’m not sure. She’s alone, short on cash, and has a bruise on her eye. I was wondering—”
“Of course.” There was a new hardness to Ali’s voice. “I have a spare cabin. I’ll go get it ready for her.”
“Thanks. Her name’s Harper.”
“Harper. Okay. A warm bed will be ready for her when she arrives.”
He hung up and turned to see Harper’s arms wrapped around her body in a defensive gesture, her gaze on the photo of him and his family.
“That’s been up on the wall for a long damn time,” he said.
Her gaze swung back to him. “Is it your family?”
“It is. My mother, father, and five siblings, all as annoying as the next.”
“You look happy.” Her voice was quiet, almost wistful. Then she frowned. “Sorry. Does Ali have a spare room?”
“She does. I’ll drive you.”
