Page 6 of Bridge to Safety

“I’m sure. Need any help?”

She narrowed her eyes. What was he up to? “No, thank you.”

He shrugged. “Okay, but construction and renovation are what I do.”

“I thought you were a mechanic.”

“That, too.” He winked. “I’ve got my fingers in all sorts of pies.” He leaned close, his whisper sending shivers down her spine. “Remember? I once told you that I would own this town.”

“What’s taking you so long?” Shiloh crossed her arms, suddenly feeling dirty. She wanted nothing more than to flee the store but she knew she couldn’t. Not without her things.

“Takes time.” He jerked his head toward the door. “Nice car, good job, you’ve come up in the world, Shiloh Sloan.”

“Thanks.” She moved away and chose a pattern of contact paper to line her kitchen drawers, then added new knobs. Anything to keep from carrying on a conversation as if she and Duke were friends. They would never be friends.

“Here you go.” Murphy bagged her purchases and added them up. “Duke, mind carrying these out to the…her car?”

“Sure thing.” Duke grinned her way, grabbed the paint cans, and headed outside.

Murphy glared and wagged a finger in her face. “You stay away from that boy. Haven’t you caused enough trouble around here? Don’t dig it all up.”

“You were wrong then, and you’re wrong now.” She hefted a sack into her arms and rushed outside.

Duke leaned against her car. “Want to have lunch?”

“No, thank you.” She stashed the bag in the back of her SUV.

“Why not?”

She whipped around, face flushed. “Are you serious?! After what you did to me? Leave me alone.” She went to open the driver’s side door.

He grabbed her arm and spun her around to face him. “You going to start those lies again, Shiloh?” He slammed her against the car. “Because if you do, you’ll regret it. Every. Single. Bit. This is my town. You’d best remember that.” He pinched her cheeks together with one hand and forced a kiss on her. Then, with a hard pat on her cheek, he returned inside the store, whistling.

Her hand shook so hard she could barely open her door. She fell inside and locked the door before leaning her forehead on the steering wheel. Duke was going to be a problem. A big one.

She started the car and headed for the sheriff’s office, the only place she might find help.

~

Rowan had just stepped into the reception area of the station when Shiloh burst in. Tears streaked her face. “What happened?”

“I need a restraining order.” Her chest heaved.

“Come here.” He motioned for her to follow him into the interview room. “Can I get you water or coffee?”

“No.” She plopped into a chair and raised red eyes to his.

A small bruise the size of a finger had formed on both sides of her face. “Tell me what happened?” He clutched the pencil in his hand so hard it snapped in half.

Her eyes widened, and she shrank back. “Nothing.” She started to stand.

“I’m sorry. Please.” He set the broken pencil pieces aside. “Who put the bruises on your face?”

“Duke Larson forced a kiss on me and threatened me.”

“Wait here.” Rowan wanted to throttle the man. He left the room to retrieve a form for her to fill out and a pen. When he returned, he set them in front of her.

“A restraining order will take time, but filling this out will get things started.”

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