Reid’s eyebrow shot up. “Seriously? I can get that.”
“I’m joking.” She held up a palm to stop him. “Just sit with me.”
Nodding, he took a seat beside her and pressed his phone to his ear. “Hi, Mary. This is Reid Sommers. I need an officer at Tilly’s Bar and Grill right away. Eve was attacked.”
The matter-of-fact statement made her brain buzz and replay the horrible scene all over again.
Disconnecting, Reid placed his phone on the table and shifted to face her. He widened his legs to sandwich hers and gathered her hands in his own. “Are you okay? Did he hurt you? Touch you?”
His concern warmed the cold pit in her stomach. He’d been a good friend over the last year, one who crossed her mind more often than he should. Their flirty banter and easy conversations fulfilled her in ways nothing else could. She hated showing him her vulnerabilities, but the bearded cowboy who’d tried to force himself on her had stolen her choice to keep up her guard.
At least for the night.
“My head hurts from where he pulled my hair, but other than that, I’m fine. Just shaken. I can’t believe something like that happened. I can’t believe—” Tears closed off her windpipe, stealing the rest of her thoughts. She shook her head as if the motion could wipe away the stain that now marred her second home. A place filled with memories of laughter and friends and family.
“Hey, now. You’re safe. I promise.”
As if to punctuate that point, the door swung open, and two sheriff’s deputies entered the restaurant. They wore matching frowns and uniforms, but everything else about them was opposite of one another.
Deputy Hill, a twentysomething man with deep dimples and dark hair, dipped his chin. “Evening. Deputy Silver and I heard you folks have had some trouble.”
Eve wanted to laugh at the wordtroublebut held it in. “You could say that. A man was in the bar and waited until we were alone to attack me. Reid showed up and scared him off.”
“No, I showed up and put him on edge enough for Eve to get herself away from the asshole.” Reid shoved his hand throughhis shaggy brown hair, his ever-present tan cowboy hat forgotten on the table. “He tossed her to the ground then took off.”
Deputy Silver pulled out the chair across from Eve and sat. Kindness filled her big brown eyes, and her blond hair was pulled back in a long ponytail. “I’m sorry this happened. Can you describe the man who attacked you?”
“He was a little older than me, I think. Long, brown beard that covered a big portion of his face. He wore a dirty cowboy hat low over his eyes, sat hunched over his plate the whole time he ate.” Describing him brought back his scent, the hard edge in his eyes, and she swallowed past the lump in her throat to steady herself. “He smelled like cigarettes. His eyes were green.”
The deputy wrote in a tiny notebook then refocused on Eve. “Did you recognize him?”
Holding back tears, she shook her head.
“I didn’t, either,” Reid said. “I’m not from around here, but I’ve lived in Cloud Valley long enough to recognize most people who venture into town. This guy didn’t ring a bell.” He pressed his mouth into a firm line as fury rolled off him in large, hot waves.
“Deputy Hill, why don’t you head out and see if there are any witnesses? Try to track this guy down before he hurts anyone else.” Deputy Silver’s tone made it clear her question wasn’t a suggestion.
“I’m on it.” Deputy Hill tipped the brim of his wide hat then hurried out the door.
“Ms. Tilly, are you injured? Do you need me to call a paramedic?” Deputy Silver flicked a quick glance at Reid. “We can always speak in private if that would make you more comfortable.”
The idea of being separated from Reid sent another spike of panic through her system. She reached for his hand, not caring if she came off as needy. “No. I’m fine. Reid got here before thingswent too far. If he hadn’t come… Honestly, I don’t want to think about what would have happened.”
“You don’t have to worry about that,” Reid said. “He’s gone.”
She blew out a long, shuddering breath, wanting to believe Reid was right. That whoever the guy was, he’d stay the hell out of her bar and far away.
“Okay then.” Deputy Silver stood, her small stature similar to Eve’s. “If there’s nothing else, I’ll help Deputy Hill try to find this guy. With any luck, we’ll have him behind bars before the night is over. I’ll be in touch, and don’t hesitate to call if you think of anything else.”
Eve should stand, should walk the deputy to the door, but her trembling legs probably wouldn’t carry her across the room. “Thank you.”
When the deputy was gone, she returned her focus to Reid. He watched her, his expression a mask she couldn’t quite read.
“Is your car parked in the lot?” Reid asked.
Wrapping her arms around herself, she shook her head. “I didn’t drive today.”
“Would you like me to walk you home?” he asked. “You shouldn’t be alone right now.”
