Page 25 of Cinnamon Cider Whiskey
A cop car was parked outside on the side street.
Well, all right then. Austin would roll with it.
“I’m giving you one minute.” Boone raised his cell. “Leave on your own accord or the police will be here in five. Your call.”
“This isn’t over.” Pete turned.
Boone stopped him. “I’d prefer you go out the back. You’ve made my customers nervous.”
“Fine,” Pete said.
Austin stepped to the side, making sure Cinnamon stayed directly behind him.
Pete hissed as he passed. “I’ll make sure you both pay for this,” he whispered.
“Stay with Boone.” Austin kissed her temple before following Pete out the back door where Brad and one of his deputies met him.
“What the fuck?” Pete stopped dead in his tracks. He turned, but Austin was there to prevent him from returning to the patio.
“Pete Thompson,” Brad said. “You’re under arrest for harassment, breaking a restraining order, and failure to remain in Idaho Falls.”
“This is bullshit,” Pete protested. “You can’t arrest me. I did nothing wrong.”
“We’ll be taking you back to Idaho Falls where you could end up remaining in lockup until your trial.” Brad slapped the cuffs onto Pete. “You shouldn’t have left Idaho Falls and you sure as shit shouldn’t have sent harassing texts to your wife. Those will be given to the prosecutor handling your case. Deputy Markus, read this guy his rights.” Brad strolled toward Austin. “I’m so glad you didn’t hit him.”
Austin wiggled his fingers. “I wanted to.”
“I’m sure you did.” Brad curled his fingers around Austin’s biceps. “How’s Cinnamon?”
“Shaken, but okay.”
“Well, you better get back to her. I’ll be in touch when he’s back in Idaho Falls.”
“Thank you.”
“Anytime.” Brad nodded.
Austin strolled back into the restaurant. No sooner did he step foot on the patio than Cinnamon flung her arms around him and hugged him tight.
“I was so scared,” she said.
“It’s all right.” He held her close. “He can’t hurt you now.”
She tilted her head, staring into his eyes with her big blue orbs. Tears dribbled down her cheeks. “No. I was afraid you were going to deck him and you’d end up in jail.”
He chuckled. “I will admit that the thought did cross my mind.” He brushed his lips across her mouth. “But I know you would have been mad if I had, so I chose not to.”
“Can we skip the ice cream and just go home?”
“Your wish is my command.” He laced his fingers through her hand and tugged. “Boone, I’m so sorry about all that.”
“Hey, no worries. I’m just glad Brad got here in time before anything bad happened and they were actually able to arrest him.”
“You and me both.” Austin nodded.
“Excuse me,” Ms. Welch said. “I wanted to apologize for my behavior. I shouldn’t have been so quick to judge based on rumors. What you just did for this young woman took courage. I can see she’s been through a lot.”
“Everyone has a story, Ms. Welch,” Austin said. “Don’t think twice about it and thank you for going to get Boone. It is greatly appreciated.”
