Page 70 of Soldier Cowboy
“Is Eve the new veterinarian? I remember her back from where she ran out on Jackson on their wedding day. All seems to be forgiven.”
“Yep, though I’m sure it wasn’t easy. Those two have been through a lot. I guess I can say it now, because pretty much everyone in town knows, and Eve is no longer hiding it. In fact, last I heard she’s done a few talks to local domestic violence groups. Felt it was the least she could do after what she’d survived.”
Worry pressed down on Colton, hard and tight. “What the hell happened to her?”
“While she was away at college, she was attacked. Her roommate interrupted or she might have lost more than her hearing in one ear.”
“What the…I…I had no idea.”
“She wears a hearing aid in that ear but it’s not always noticeable. Still the best vet in the area.”
“Damn. Some random attack?”
“Not exactly. The guy was obsessed with her.”
Colton felt himself go stock still. He thought he heard the sound of blood rushing through his veins. For certain, he heard the thud of his own heartbeat. In hisears. His throat was suddenly dry and parched.
“How did this happen?”
“I don’t know all the details, but she dated the guy once or twice, I guess, and didn’t want any more to do with him. But he wouldn’t take no for an answer. After the attack, coming home was exactly what she needed. We all looked out for her. And she’s been safe here, even before Jackson came home. It took some work to get past the trauma but she’s well on the other side of it now.”
“And…the guy?”
“Prison, where he belongs.”
Which was exactly where Dan would wind up if he ever hurt Jennifer. Colton would make sure of it.
Maybe Jennifer could talk with Eve about her experience. Only another woman would truly understand. Or maybe it would be too frightening to hear how badly it could have ended for her if her father hadn’t pulled her out of the situation. He didn’t know.
“Colton.” Jennifer’s voice snapped him back to the moment. “Aren’t you coming in?”
Her dark hair was wet and gleaming, her skin soft and pink in the glow of the sunshine.
It would take a tank and a few good men to keep him away from her.
“Try and stop me.”
CHAPTER18
The water was cool and clear and everything she loved about swimming came back to Jennifer. The trickling sounds of the stream as it rushed through the rocky and hilly land gave her the calm she craved. Water washed over her skin and the peace that had been robbed returned.
Colton had brought her here, to his private swimming hole as he’d promised, but for several minutes he seemed to be lost in his thoughts as he watched her. She noticed he did this occasionally, zoning out, in another place. Whether it was a flashback or a memory, she wouldn’t know.
Maybe due to her sensitivity on the subject and at seeing Eve once again today, a reminder of first loves, she couldn’t stop imagining Colton and Cherisse. Had he brought her here to make out, or to have teenage sex for the first time? And why couldn’t she get the image of Colton and another woman out of her mind? It shouldn’t concern her. He was attractive, sure, and he’d kissed her back. That didn’t mean anything other than the fact he was a red-blooded male who didn’t mind the attention of a woman. Especially when they were both stuck together, and he was possibly…bored.
However, he was also the man who’d practically shoved her off his lap.
Considering she’d been dealing with Dan, who’d been tone-deaf aboutherrejection, she certainly wanted to respect Colton’s feelings. No meant no. She understood, and maybe there was a chance for him to reunite with Cherisse after Jennifer was gone. Her heart snagged on the thought because Colton deserved better than the way his ex had discarded him. He deserved someone who would love him with her whole heart.
For a while they swam several feet away from each other as though they might be strangers who happened upon the same watering hole and were giving each other space. He dove underwater, and she lost track of him for several seconds in which she tipped her head to study the tree’s willowy branches. A bird tittered above as if watching them then flew to another branch. The day was just the right kind of warm, the kind that cocoons instead of smothering. Perfect, Texas. Perfect, and thank you.
But suddenly something under the water wrapped around her ankle.
She screamed, shook it off, and a second later Colton came up inches from her.
“What’s wrong? All I did was touch your leg.”
“Oh my God, what are you,twelve?” She splashed water at him.
