That prompted a laugh. He couldn’t decide if the sound reflected amusement or hope.
“You’re my escort?”
“You know what I mean.”
“I was checking out the house across the woods from the chapel and someone pushed me. I went over the edge. If I hadn’t grabbed on to those vines ... I’d still be lying out there. Frozen probably. Seriously injured for sure.”
“Someone pushed you?” She had to be mistaken. Though no one in town wanted her here, there wasn’t a soul he could think of who would do her harm.
“I was pushed, Conner.” Fury glinted in her eyes. “Then someone chased me through the woods and down the road. He disappeared after that.”
“Someone chased you and then just ... disappeared?” He made no attempt to hide his skepticism.
“I hid in the trees. He gave up, maybe.” She shrugged. “I don’t know.”
Kale didn’t know a whole lot about Saran Newton. Whether she was easily spooked or not. If she had a vivid imagination. Now wasn’t the time to ask. She was on the defensive from whatever had happened.
He stood. “I’ll get you something for your hands.”
If her story was true ... But it couldn’t be.
Could it?
Folks were pretty upset about her presence. Someone could be watching her. Hoped to scare her off, maybe.
“I knew you wouldn’t believe me, that’s why I wasn’t going to tell you.” She looked directly at him. “Those compassionate folks you know would never push a girl over a ledge.”
Irritation tightened his lips. “I’ll be back.”
Rather than argue with her, he stormed to the bathroom. He knew these people. Maybe some of them were capable of spooking her ... but pushing her over a ledge. Not possible. There had to be another explanation.
He located the antibiotic cream and headed back to the living room. Angie stood at attention next to Newton, tail wagging.
Newton had pulled her sneakers back on and was reaching for her coat. “I apologize if I inconvenienced you.” She produced a faint smile. “I appreciate your help. Now, if you don’t mind taking me to my car, I’ll get back to the inn. I’m sure you’re ready to call it a night.”
Oh, no. He wasn’t letting her out of his sight again tonight. “Sit.”
Angie obeyed instantly. Newton, however, stared at him as indignantly as if he’d slapped her with a glove in blatant challenge.
“You’re staying here tonight.”
She scoffed. “I don’t think so, but nice try.”
Nice try?
Then he got it. “Don’t flatter yourself, Newton. You’re not my type.”
She angled her head, stared at him with mounting defiance. “Why would I stay here?”
He searched her eyes, saw the faintest flicker of uncertainty. “Because it’s late. We’re both tired, and you’ve had the hell scared out of you.”
The fight visibly draining out of her, she lowered back onto the couch. “I guess it wouldn’t kill me to stay.”
He didn’t bother asking what that meant. He thrust the tube of cream at her. “This will help your hands.”
She opened the tube and spread a thin layer on both palms. “Thank you.” She passed the tube back to him as she toed off her sneakers.
“Anything else I should know about tonight?” He was beat. He resettled on the ottoman as she stretched out on the couch and pulled the comforter around her. But he would stay up as long as he was getting information from her. Angie, the traitor, hopped on the couch and curled up at their guest’s feet. She’d apparently lost interest in a midnight snack.
