Cody squeezed her hand. “We’ll figure this out.”
The paramedic finished cleaning her scrapes and bandaging her knees. “You’re all set, Miss Banks. Are you sure you don’t want to get checked out at the hospital?”
“I’m sure. But thank you for taking care of me.” She signed the forms he held out to her and gave her a copy.
Cody took them and stuffed them in her purse, which he must have pulled out of the street because she didn’t remember dropping it or whatever during the accident. “I’m taking you home.”
“I still have some things to do at the café before tomorrow.”
Cody clenched his jaw so tight the muscle along his jaw twitched. “Fine. I’ll take you back there, where your mother can tell you you need to go home and rest.”
She stood and dusted off her pants with her left hand, then walked right into Cody’s chest. His arms immediately wrapped around her and held her close, without crushing her, probably because he was afraid of hurting her. “I’m fine. Just some scrapes and bruises.”
“Not if someone tried to kill you,” he bit out.
“It was Adam.”
“He’s going to be sorry he ever touched you.” Cody pulled back and stared at her. “Can you make it down the street to your shop? I can grab my car and drive you.”
“I’ll walk. I feel like if I stay still, everything will seize up.”
Cody growled under his breath.
She patted his chest. “I’m fine.”
“Yeah, well, I’m not. Let’s go.” He put his arm around her shoulders and walked her down the street. Several people asked if she was okay as they passed. She assured everyone she was fine, but that only made Cody’s body tense even more.
They walked into the café and Susanne grinned at both of them before her smile fell with one look at Cody and then the rips in Brooke’s pants. “What happened?” she asked as she came around the counter.
“Brooke nearly got run over by a car.”
“What?” Her mother dropped into the seat next to where Cody deposited her in a chair at one of the café tables.
Brooke took her mom’s hand. “I was standing at the crosswalk waiting for the light to change when someone pushed me into the street and oncoming traffic. Luckily, the driver was able to stop before she hit me.”
Cody scoffed, his eyes narrowed. “She did hit you. But it could have been a hell of a lot worse.”
“Who would do such a thing?” Her mom stared at her with shocked eyes and the same panic Cody still bore, that she’d almost lost Brooke again.
Cody fell into the chair next to her and took her hand, pulling it up to his mouth so he could kiss her palm. “Brooke saw Adam there.”
“What?” Susanne gasped. “No. That’s not possible. He’s supposed to be locked up.”
Cody pulled out his phone and hit one of his frequent contacts. “Doug. You’ve been in touch with the psychiatric facility. I need you to verify that Adam is still on lockdown. Someone just tried to kill Brooke. She’s okay. No major injuries, but she swears she saw Adam at the scene.” Cody listened for a moment, then said, “Thanks.” He hung up. “We’ll know for sure in a minute.”
Susanne stood. “I’ll make you something. Coffee? Tea? How about a hot chocolate?”
“I’ll take the hot chocolate.” She didn’t really want it, but it would give her mom something to do.
“Coffee, Cody?”
“Sure.” He gave her hand a gentle tug. It didn’t take much to get her to rise and slide into his lap. He wrapped her up close in his strong arms and rested his chin on her shoulder. “I’m sorry it took me a minute to believe you saw Adam. I don’t want it to be true.”
“I know. It’s the last thing I want, too. I can’t live with him out there stalking me. Not again, Cody.” She shook her head and squeezed him tighter.
Cody kissed her forehead. “I’ll protect you. I can’t lose you again.”
She leaned into him. “Never going to happen.”
