“Willow!”
He hid a wince as Rafe stood and waved her over.Braced himself when she looked over, the quick smile that lit up her face freezing the moment she noticed him sitting there.
She had to have heard that he’d been wounded, but she hadn’t seen him since.Hadn’t seen his scars until now.His thick beard only covered some of the damage.
He was aware of his pulse thudding in his ears as she came toward them.Rafe jumped up to greet her.She hugged him.“It’s so good to see you.I hear you’re the new sheriff in town, huh?”
“It’s true.Bet you never thought that would happen.”
“Nope.”She pulled back, looked across at Tripp, and gave him a smile that was just a little strained.He didn’t move, and she didn’t approach him.“Hey.Good to see you again too.”Her warm brown gaze held his.
Was it good to see him?He doubted it.And not just because of his altered appearance.But thankfully there was no horror or pity on her face.Mild curiosity maybe, questions lurking in the depths of her eyes.What happened?“Hi.”
Seeing her in person again was a gut punch.The first time he’d seen her he’d thought she was the most beautiful girl he’d ever laid eyes on.The last time, four years ago, she’d left him aching inside.But somehow she was even more stunning now.There was a confidence about her that had been missing before.It was sexy as hell.
“You here with anyone?”Rafe asked her.
“No, I just came down by myself to have some dinner.The Skelly had to be my first stop in town.”
“Come join us.We just ordered a minute ago.”
She glanced at Tripp, hesitating.“You sure?”There was no ring on her left hand.Had she not married the guy she’d moved back east with?Or maybe they were divorced.Either way, that made him happier than it should have.
“Absolutely.”Rafe slid into the booth and made room for her beside him.
Tripp would have been relieved that she hadn’t sat next to him, except being across from her like this was its own special torture.He had no option but to look at her, and she had a full view of his damaged face that was as much a reminder of her pain as his own.
FIVE
“S
o, you’re officially back for good like the rest of us, huh?”Rafe asked her, picking up his glass of beer.
“Looks like it.”
“You’re in your grandma’s place?”
