“Come on, boy. You don’t think the folks round here knew what kind of man he was? He grew up in Hillmore. I saw him grow from a bully of a boy to a bully of a man. Just wished I could have done more to protect you and your sister when youwere young. Your mama was the only one able to put that man in his place, rest her soul.”
The heat of Duke’s stare on the side of his face made Lane want to squirm. The last thing he needed was for a glaring light to broadcast his past to a guy he didn’t even consider a real friend.
“Appreciate the sentiments,” he said, steering the conversation away from his family. “But right now I’m here for something unrelated to my pops. You carry any security systems?”
Mr. Williams frowned. “Having issues at your house? I’m surprised you don’t already have cameras monitoring that place. Your dad was always a little paranoid.”
“It’s not for me.” He didn’t say more. News of what happened to Celine would be out soon enough. No need for him to spread the gossip any faster.
“Well, let’s see.” Mr. Williams scratched his jaw as he worked it back and forth. “I did get one of those fancy cameras that’s also a doorbell a few months ago but haven’t gotten any takers. Folks around here aren’t usually too concerned with locking things up tight.”
“Anyone else in town have anything like what I’m looking for?” He already knew the answer but might as well ask.
“Don’t know for sure but can’t think of anyone who would.”
Duke slapped a heavy hand on Lane’s shoulder. “Looks like we’re taking on a little road trip. Let’s go.”
Sighing, he offered Mr. Williams a quick wave then followed Duke out to this truck. He figured he’d have to drive out of town to get what he needed, he just wasn’t planning on having unwanted company.
DroppingParker off with her mother was never easy, but today it was like ripping off a limb. Celine’s heart was heavy and her head was filled with every worst-case scenario as she made it to work just in time for her shift.
Tia stood behind the bar, wiping off something only she could see. Her long curly hair was braided over one shoulder, the neon lights above the bar making the dark red color even more magnificent. “Hey there,” she said. “How was your morning?”
Celine approached the bar with a tight smile. “Okay.”
Tia’s hand stilled on the rag she used to clean the worn wood. “What’s wrong?”
Celine debated how much to say. She didn’t really want to get into all the drama covering her like a heavy blanket but also knew her friend would hear about what happened sooner rather than later. Might as well get it out of the way. “Someone broke into my house last night and attacked me.”
“What?” The word came out in an ear-splitting screech. “Are you hurt? Is Parker all right? Should you be here? I can get your shift covered.” As she spoke, she hustled around the bar and threw her arms around Celine, pulling her in for a tight hug.
Celine melted against her friend. She’d yearned for comfort all night but hadn’t trusted herself to get any of it from Lane. Heck, she hadn’t even told her mom what happened for fear she’d turn it into some sob story to throw around town as soon as she left.
After giving herself a moment to soak up the support, she took a step back and wiped away the tears gathered at the corner of her eyes. Now was time to spill even more tea. “Lane stoppedover and scared off the attacker before he could do any real harm. Parker was asleep and unaware anything had happened.”
If Celine wasn’t so shaken, the pure shock on Tia’s face would have made her laugh out loud. She opened her mouth to explain further when the door burst open, blasting sunlight into the dimly lit restaurant.
“Celine! There you are. My God, are you all right?” Kevin, her ex-husband, rushed to her side. His blue eyes were wide with worry, his clean-shaven face the exact opposite of the man who’d dominated her thoughts the past year.
She braced herself as he threw his arms around her. She held her body rigid, his touch and his concern unwanted. She took a step back, putting distance between them. “I’m fine, Kevin.”
Not reading the room, he cupped her biceps in his hands and gave a gentle squeeze. “No way you’re fine. You were attacked in your home. Where are you staying tonight? You can’t be in that house alone until this guy is caught. You and Parker should stay with me until this whole mess blows over.”
Irritation infused steel in her spine. He’d tried everything he could think of in the past few months to convince her to take him back after he’d been caught lying and scheming. Of course he’d use this as another way to attempt to get into her good graces.
“That’s not necessary,” she said, stepping away from his grasp.
He huffed out a short laugh, casting a sidewise glance at Tia before refocusing on Celine. “You’re not safe. Let me help. I still love you.”
She held up a hand, unable to hear another word. “Enough. You know where I stand on this. We’re finished, and there’s no going back to how things used to be.” Another thought struck her, adding to her annoyance. “How did you find out?”
“Spencer came by to talk to me. Asked me for an alibi which, I have to admit, hurt like hell. But I understand everyone has to be looked at to make sure they find the person responsible for this.”
“I never thought it was you,” she said. “And I appreciate your concern. But this isn’t your problem to fix.”
Frowning, Kevin screwed his expression into one that made him look like the injured party—the same look that used to be successful in twisting her with guilt. But not anymore.
Tia looped an arm through Celine’s and pulled her close to her side. “It was sweet of you to stop by and see if our girl was all right, but unfortunately I need to put her to work.”
