“She’s fine. Tell them, Michelle.”
The woman behind the glass door doesn’t speak. She just stares at us with wide, frightened eyes.
“Sir, I need you to stay where you are,” Liam says. “My partner is going to check on your wife.”
I move toward the glass door, but the man lurches sideways, blocking my path. “Nobody’s going inside my cabin.”
I say firmly, “Sir, I need you to step back. Right now.”
The man’s bloodshot eyes flicker between Liam and me. For a tense moment, I think he might swing. His hands are balled at his sides and his jaw is working.
“Don’t do anything dumb, or you’ll spend the night in jail,” Liam says harshly.
The man hesitates and then steps back. His shoulders slump and the fight drains out of him like air from a punctured tire. “I didn’t touch her,” he mumbles. “I just threw a glass. I’m drunk and acting stupid, but she’s fine.”
“Okay,” Liam says. “Let’s talk about it over here.” He guides the man to the far end of the deck, giving me a clear path to the door.
I check on Michelle. She’s shaken but uninjured. She confirms he threw a glass at the outside wall, not at her. Says he’s been drinking since noon. She agrees to go stay with a friend down the mountain. While I take her statement and help her pack a bag, I hear Liam on the deck, talking the husband down in a patient, steady voice.
Afterward, in the SUV, I replay the scene in my mind. It’s amazing how many domestic violence calls we have to handle. Sometimes I wonder if anyone is happy in their relationship. I watch Liam out of the corner of my eye. Will he be happy married to Kara?
Does he ever think about the kiss we shared? Because I do. Constantly. Or does his love for Kara eclipse anything he ever felt for me? It must if he’s going to propose to her. He wants to spend the rest of his life with her. He wants to have kids with her. After that one kiss, he’s never made any attempt to touch me again. I guess that’s my answer.
Around noon, we stop at Summit Subs for lunch. While we’re waiting for our order, a woman comes in with a toddler on her hip and a preschooler clinging to her jacket. She’s pack, and when she spots Liam, her face lights up.
“Hey, Liam.” She shifts the toddler to her other hip and hugs him with her free arm. She’s tall with dark curly hair pulled back in a messy knot.
“Nora.” Liam grins. “How’s the clinic going?”
“Chaos as usual. Flu season hit early and I’ve been up to my elbows in sick kids and worried parents all week.”
Liam turns to me. “Nora runs the urgent care in town.”
I nod. “I see.”
Nora smiles warmly. “Oh, sorry, I didn’t mean to be rude. You must be Liam’s new partner. I’m Nora Kessler.”
“Jude Collins.” I shake her hand.
“I’ve heard great things about you,” she says. “People seem to think you’re a good fit for Golden Peak.”
“I’m happy to hear it,” I say, and I mean it.
She swivels back toward Liam. “Hey, Liam, you’re coming to the Christmas bonfire this year, right? Be sure to invite Kara.”
“Oh, is it that time already?”
“Hello? Christmas is right around the corner.” She laughs and meets my gaze. “I always have to nag Liam to show up to pack gatherings. I don’t know if he’s just lazy or playing hard to get.” She’s friendly, but I notice she doesn’t invite me to the bonfire. Why would she? I’m not pack. Neither is Kara, but she’s special to Liam, so her invite goes without saying. I’m just the guy who lives in Liam’s spare room.
“He’s probably playing hard to get,” I say. “Liam needs a lot of attention.”
“Hey, that’s not nice.” Liam fake pouts.
Nora laughs and softly punches Liam’s arm. “I’ll give you all the attention you want, but you’d better not skip the Christmas bonfire again this year.”
Liam grimaces. “When is it again?”
“This coming weekend. Caleb likes it when the pack makes a good showing, so you should be there. I know your parents and Jack are coming. I’m surprised your mom hasn’t nagged you about it.”
