Hadley didn’t have much time before these puppies came. But she wanted to check things out in case trouble was near.
She pulled her jacket on over her scrubs and stepped outside. Snow swirled across the threshold, and the chill instantly bit through her clothes. Blue Ridge Hollow was colder than Atlanta, and she was still adjusting to the climate.
As Hadley rounded the corner, the scene came into view.
Max stood near the gate, his shoulders squared and his body angled toward a man she’d never seen before. A tiny blonde hovered just behind them, clutching her small dog.
Hadley stepped forward in time to see the man lunge toward Max.
His fist swung out fast, aimed directly at Max’s face.
Max’s arm snapped up in time to block the punch.
But the man didn’t stop. He charged at Max again.
Hadley’s breath caught.No!
Max planted his feet and let the man come at him. He took the hits on his arms without flinching. He didn’t panic or rush to react. Instead, he seemed to watch and wait as the man wore himself out.
When Kenny didn’t stop, Max finally shifted.
His fist connected with the man’s jaw, the action precise and purposeful.
The man staggered back then hit the ground with a heavy thud.
For half a second everyone remained frozen.
Then the woman screamed. “Kenny, are you okay? Why’d you punch him, Max? You didn’t have to do that!”
The words didn’t match what Hadley had just seen.
The man—Kenny—groaned and rolled onto his side. As he clutched his jaw, the woman dropped to her knees beside him. She still held the small dog in one hand as she leaned over him.
“You could’ve knocked him out!” she cried, looking up at Max. “What’s wrong with you?”
Snow gathered on Max’s shoulders as his gaze fixed on the man at his feet. He appeared poised to act again if necessary.
Footsteps sounded behind Hadley.
Caleb and Naomi darted from the house, jerking their coats over their arms as they sprinted toward the scene. Her cousins—siblings—ran this place.
“What’s going on out here?” Caleb demanded. “We heard the commotion.”
The woman pointed at Max, her hand trembling. “He attacked Kenny! He just came out and started hitting him!”
Hadley’s pulse thudded in her ears. That certainly wasn’t what she’d seen.
But she knew how this might look for Max . . . bad.
CHAPTER 2
Max feltLyndee’s accusation settle over him.
“He attacked Kenny!” she continued, tears pouring down her cheeks. “He just came out here and started hitting him!”
Max drew in a deep breath, trying to steady his emotions. Getting angry right now wouldn’t help his case. He prided himself in remaining in control.
Caleb placed himself between Max and the couple.
