Page 7 of Bridge to Safety

She stared at the paper. “Who’s the judge?”

“Hall.”

She shoved the paper aside. “Never mind. I was in too much trouble as a teen. He’d never believe me.” She tilted her head. A suspicious glint shone from her eyes. “Why are you not surprised to hear about Duke?”

“I asked some questions.” He sat back. “I’m sorry, but I could tell something about this town frightened you, yet you returned.”

“Why didn’t you tell me you were a deputy?” She crossed her arms.

Good. Her Fight was returning. “It didn’t come up.”

Planting her hands flat on the table, she pushed to her feet. “I’m sorry for wasting your time, but unless there’s another judge in town, I’ll pass.”

“What about Duke?”

“I’ll avoid him to the best of my ability.”

“Where did this happen?”

“Outside the mercantile.”

“Any witnesses?”

“Maybe Mr. Murphy, but he’s already accused me of coming back to Misty Hollow to ruin Duke’s life as I tried to years ago. He wouldn’t be any help.” She put a hand on the doorknob. “Thank you for listening.”

“Shiloh, wait.” He rushed after her, stopping her in the parking lot. “I’m serious. Call me if you ever need me, no matter how small or inconsequential. Okay?”

“Why do you care?”

“Because I’m a deputy, and I don’t like to see a woman mistreated.” Not to mention that he liked to think he was a decent human being.

“Deputy?” Doris Belwright, the receptionist, poked her head out the door. “Rachel is on the phone.”

“Be right there.” He studied the face of the woman in front of him. The bruises had darkened in the short time she’d been in the office. “Don’t hesitate, please.”

She nodded and got in her car.

He watched her drive from the parking lot before answering the phone. “Why didn’t you call my cell phone, sweetie?”

“I don’t want to be here today, Daddy. Alice won’t make the cookies I want her to.”

“You should be grateful she’s making any at all. Sweetie, I love you, but don’t call the main number anymore. Call my cell phone. I’ll be home in time for supper.”

“Pizza?”

“Sure.” He hung up and knocked on the sheriff’s door. “Got a minute?”

“Absolutely.” He waved toward a chair.

Rowan explained about Shiloh wanting a restraining order. “Were you aware of the history between her and Duke?”

“No, I wasn’t.” He folded his arms on the top of his desk. “I’ll have my wife pay her a friendly visit to make sure she’s okay. Strike up a conversation. She’s a good judge of character, my Karlie. Does Miss Sloan seem to trust you?”

“I’m not sure. The gal’s hard to read. She has a shield that’s hard to penetrate, but she was open about Duke.”

“Leave work a little early today. Drive by her place and see if anything seems out of the ordinary. We’ll keep an eye on her for a few days until things settle down.”

“Thank you.” Rowan stood. This week would be easy since he had the early shift, but next week he worked nights. It would be more difficult to check on her. The best he could do was drive by her place and make sure no other cars were nearby. He hoped her nod at calling him if she was in trouble wasn’t just to placate him.

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