McKenna choked on her coffee and pressed her knuckles to her mouth.The image of the mountain lion attacking Dr.Lots was seared into her mind.The tears that had been hovering at her eyelashes fell on her cheeks.There was nothing she could have done, but it didn’t make the fact that he’d died a brutal, horrifying death any less tragic.
Jaxon pulled her into his arms.
“Wildlife officers are investigating,” the sheriff continued.Unfortunately, the animal will need to be euthanized after...what happened.They’re wondering if it was rabid the way it stalked Jaxon.Very unusual.”He cleared his throat.“Try to get some rest.The storm’s passed now, and I’ll make sure the guys clear the road to your place first thing.”
McKenna didn’t pull her face away from Jaxon’s shoulder.Instead, she focused on his scent, taking long, slow breaths.His hands moved up and down her back.There was some shuffling in the room, and then they were alone.
“It scared the shit out of me when you were missing.”Jaxon’s gruff confession radiated to her heart.
“That was quick thinking, taking the Watsons’ four-wheeler.I don’t even want to think about what Dr.Lots planned to do with me.”
Jaxon rested his chin on the top of her head.“It’s all over now.”
She let her body sink into his hold.Relief swept over her.If Jaxon hadn’t shown up at her door, if she’d turned him away, things would have ended very differently.
She’d be dead.
Cut into pieces.
Thrown—
“You know what this means?”The gentle rhythm of Jaxon’s question dragged her thoughts out of the depths of hell they’d been visiting.She turned to look up at him.
“What?”
“I’m going to have to apologize to that idiot Trevor.Guess he had nothing to do with this after all.”
McKenna snorted.Some of the weight lifted from her chest.“I won’t tell anyone if you want to skip that apology.We both know he deserved that punch.”
“Damn right he did.”
“You guys want a lift home?”The sheriff’s shout made her jump.
“Sure.”She stood and shed the slippers and blanket.A pins-and-needles sensation made her already weak limbs wobble.
Ms.Watson entered from the living room.“Dear, you keep the slippers and blanket for now.We don’t need you getting any more frostbitten, all right?”
McKenna sniffled with gratitude.She’d spoken with the Watsons only a handful of times.She’d always assumed she was the one judged by everyone, but maybe she’d judged others as well.The Watsons’ kindness and willingness to help revealed that maybe she’d had her guard up unnecessarily.
“Thank you.I’ll be sure to return them tomorrow.”
Mrs.Watson waved her hand.“I know where you live,” she said with a wink.
Jaxon waited for her to insert her feet back into the slippers and pull the blanket around her.Then he picked her up and carried her out of the kitchen.The sheriff’s gaze widened on them.
She tightened her body.Embarrassment warmed her face.“I can walk.”
“Doesn’t look like it,” Jaxon said, as he moved out the front door.
The cold air reawakened the chill in her bones, and she burrowed against his chest.Screw the rumors that would be floating around town by breakfast.Whether she took him home or not, people would talk.
Might as well give them good gossip.
***
Jaxon woke tothe sound of soft purrs from McKenna’s lips.Sunlight streamed through the slats in the blinds.The storm was over.
But the remnants of their nightmare lingered.
