Hometown Hero (Hometown Alaska Men Book 2) (19 page)

"Are you really?" Brandi reached for Tawney's hands. "First the creepy stalker in Vegas, now this. I'm so sorry."

Tawney shrugged. "What're you going to do? I just have to roll with things. I can't let Harry or Fox run my life."

"Brave words," Brandi said.

"It's all I have."

"Oh, T." Brandi hugged her again. "I love you so much."

"Love you, too," Tawney said, her arms tightening around her sister. "It will be okay. Thank goodness Rick had given me those self-defense lessons. Those lessons saved me."

"Rick?" Brandi said as the sisters parted. "Are you seeing him?"

"No," Tawney said, smiling at the curious note in her sister's voice. "Not romantically, but he is my neighbor. We've been thrown together a couple of times and he's given me shooting lessons and self-defense lessons. He knows about Fox."

"I'm glad he knows and that he's helping you," Brandi said, "but be careful around him. He broke your heart once. I don't think he's the type of guy who will stay in Alaska forever. He's ambitious and that ambition took him away from you once already. We nicknamed him the Destroyer for a reason."

"I know," Tawney said. "But he's different now, more mature."

"I hope you're right." Brandi smiled. "Okay, enough of the heavy talk. Can you have lunch with me?"

"You read my mind. I was just heading out to find food."

Brandi placed an arm around Tawney's shoulders. "Let's go. I'm starving."

"You're on."

"Seriously, Tawney," Brandi said. "You scared me to death. I'm so glad you're okay."

"Me, too, kiddo. Me, too."

*    *    *

Rick hit the call button on his phone. "This is Rick." He was behind the bar at The Junebug. The place had been hopping all afternoon, no doubt due to the Harry/Tawney scandal that currently rocked the town. He suspected folks wanted a glimpse of Tawney. More than one person had asked after her.

"It's Rose."

"Any news?" he asked, walking his phone call to the back room where it was quieter.

"You're right. Phil is on vacation. He must have left yesterday some time after I saw him. I'm still looking for his statement."

Relief filled Rick. So Phil hadn't been lying. "Okay, so I guess we wait. Thanks, Rose. I owe you."

"Repay me by coming back to work," she said, her tone serious now. "I mean it, Rick. We miss you around here."

He didn't acknowledge her plea. "Thanks again."

"You bet."

Rick worked the rest of his shift feeling a little less bothered by the facts surrounding Angie's and Tony Malone's deaths. Just knowing that Phil was being straight up meant a lot and went a long way toward helping him heal.

When his shift ended at three a.m., he made the walk home. He was so ready for warmer weather. Tired of bones that never got warm, he flipped up the collar on his jacket and picked up the pace. He noticed the lights were on at Tawney's at the same time he spotted a car idling between his driveway and hers.

Rick sprinted toward the car.

The headlights off, the car shot toward him, tires spinning on the icy street.

Rick stepped into the road. "Stop, you SOB."

The car barreled straight for him, forcing Rick to jump out of the way. He landed on his side, rolling, bumping up against Tawney's trash can.

He groaned as he sat up. The car, some distance away now, turned the corner. A compact. Maybe silver or gray. Darkness prevented accuracy on the make or model.

The driver had seen him, had tried to run him down.

Why? Did the almost hit and run have anything to do with him digging around in the Tony Malone case, or did it have to do with Tawney and one of her stalkers? Maybe one of Harry's family members out for some kind of twisted revenge?

His phone rang.

Tawney's name flashed on the screen.

"It's okay," he said into the phone without waiting for her to speak. "I’m right outside. Let me in."

"Okay," she said, sounding breathless.

Her place was ablaze with lights now. How many more times did she have to be afraid?

He rapped on her door.

"Rick?" she called.

"Yes, I'm here."

The door opened.

She took in his appearance. "You're hurt."

"What?" he said. "No, I'm okay." He went inside, and the warm air made him feel instantly better.

"You're bleeding," she said, steering him toward the bathroom. "What happened out there? I heard tires, then a crash."

How much did he tell her? He thought of skirting the truth, then decided against it. She needed to be aware, alert, and on top of anything happening around her. Knowledge made her safer.

She helped him off with his jacket, his hat. He caught a glimpse of himself in the mirror. He had a cut on his right cheek. Small. Minimal blood.

Tawney wet a cloth, cleaning the wound. "Hold still," she said when he jerked at her touch.

She used gentle strokes to clean the blood away.

"It's nothing, a scratch," he said.

"Luckily. Tell me what happened."

"There was a car idling out front, between our houses. No lights. I sprinted toward it; it took off, trying to run me down. I jumped out of the way at the last second."

Her hand stilled. "Who? Why?"

He shook his head. "I wish I knew."

"Doesn't sound like Fox," she said. "His brand is more intimidation. He's never tried to hurt me, and this car was aiming at you."

"Maybe," he said, although his gut told him she was right.

She applied a small bandage to his scratch, her fingers soft against his skin. The floral scent of her shampoo teased him, reminding him of how good she'd smelled when he'd slept next to her. No longer was she just a hot girl from high school, or a beautiful, exotic showgirl from Vegas. No, she was so much more than those things. She had a good heart.

"For all I know it could have been a random act of crazy," he said. "God knows we have enough of that around here. Maybe the person was drunk and didn't even realize their lights were off or that I was in the road."

"I doubt that." She frowned. "I think you should call the local police and at least report what happened. I think we are becoming regulars."

He gave her a tight smile. "You're right. It won't hurt to have extra ears and eyes on this."

She nodded. "Absolutely. You make the call. I'll put on some tea."

In the living room, they separated. Tawney headed for the kitchen, and he placed a call to the police. By the time she returned with the tea, he'd settled down. There was nothing more he could do tonight.

If this almost hit and run had to do with Seattle or Phil, at least he knew the violence was directed at him and not Tawney. Knowing she was safe was enough for him. He could handle himself. His guard was up now. All his senses on high alert.

Tawney took a sip of tea. "What did the police say?"

"Not much. Took down all the info. They'll send a car out to take a look around. Standard procedure. I noticed your lights were on prior to the attack."

She shrugged. "I was a little nervous when I went to bed. Left the hall light on for company."

They were on the sofa now. Man, he could wake up next to her every day and never get sick of looking at her.

"What?" she asked, noticing his eyes on her.

"Nothing." He drank his tea.

"Is my hair sticking up or something?" She ran a hand over her hair.

"Don't you get it?" he said. "It wouldn't matter if it was. You would look good wearing a garbage bag. Sometimes when I look at you it hurts, that's how beautiful you are."

Their eyes met, held. Sexual energy buzzed through his veins. He knew it was too soon after Harry's attack to make any kind of move on her, so he broke the current between them, glancing away from her, fighting to get his body under control.

"Rick—"

A knock sounded at her door. "Seward Police."

Rick set his mug on the table. He'd said too much. He didn't look at Tawney, didn't want to see the questions in her eyes. Didn't want her to think he was a guy who was only interested in her face, her body. She'd had way too much of that in her life. He stood, going to the door.

"I'll talk to them outside on my way home," he said. "Thanks for the tea and the first aid."

She followed him. "You don't have to go."

Oh, but he did. Right now he didn't trust himself to be in the same room with her and not touch her, he wanted her that much, respected her that much.

"Good night, Tawney." Rick let himself out of her cottage, closing the door behind him.

He waited for the lock to turn. And when it did, he gave his full attention to the police officer waiting for him.

CHAPTER EIGHTEEN

Liv came back to work the following day. Tawney felt it was too soon, but the pink color was back in Liv's cheeks and she swore she felt great, claiming that her aura was the healthy color of green.

Tawney had no choice but to believe her. Between the two of them they worked out a schedule that placed most of the load on Tawney. She was happy to pick up the slack and her paycheck would reflect the longer hours.

While things were going great at work, Tawney couldn't help but worry about Rick, or think about the words he'd said to her the night before.

Sometimes when I look at you it hurts, that's how beautiful you are.

She hoped she was more to him than a pretty face. How did a woman know if a man liked her for what was inside, where it really counted? She had no clue. Star had found true love with Cade. Brandi with Bud. Even her mom had found something with John. More than anything she wanted to trust her strong feelings for Rick, but her track record with men was so bad. She'd been fooled so many times into thinking a man loved her, only to find out the guy didn't love what was inside, her heart, her soul.

She wanted more. Deserved more.

As much as Rick confused her, she worried about him. What had really happened last night? Was he in danger, or had it been a fluke accident?

The unknown drove her crazy so Tawney threw herself into her day, losing herself to the exercise and dance classes that made her so happy.

Brandi showed up for Tawney's last class of the day. Her sister tried so hard to follow the routines that Tawney knew Brandi would be sore tomorrow. After class Brandi waited while the class cleared out and Tawney locked up.

"I'll drive you home," she said to Tawney.

"Okay." The sisters left the studio together. When they got outside Rick's Jeep was waiting at the curb. He rolled down his window. "I was going to offer you a lift, but I see you have company."

Before she could reply, Brandi said, "How nice of you, but I'm taking Tawney home."

Brandi's icy tone startled Tawney. Her sister still harbored a major grudge against Rick. Brandi was trying to protect Tawney and she loved her for it, but she said, "Thanks, Rick. I'd love a ride. Brandi should be home with her baby, not babysitting me. It makes no sense for you to take me home when Rick lives right next door."

Brandi pressed her lips together. "But—"

"It's okay," Tawney said, hugging her sister. "I promise."

"If you're sure?" Brandi asked.

"I am." She wanted to explore her feelings for Rick and explore Rick's feeling for her. She needed to figure out once and for all if she meant something to him. The question had nagged her for years. She wanted an answer, good or bad.

"Okay." Brandi peered in Rick's window. "Treat my sister nice. You know I think she's too good for you."

"Brandi!" Tawney cried, mortified.

"Well, it's true." Brandi gave Tawney one last hug. "Love you."

Tawney got in the Jeep. "Sorry. I don't know what's gotten into her. With Star away on her honeymoon, Brandi has somehow assumed the mother hen role."

"I deserved it," he said. "Your sister loves you. That's got to feel good."

"It does." She touched her heart. "That's why I'm here. Sisterly love." Tawney smiled.

"I'm jealous." He started the Jeep. "I'd love to have siblings."

"Sometimes they can be a pain in the butt." She laughed. "But I wouldn't trade them."

"How are you today?" he asked, giving her a sideways glance and he pulled away from the curb. "Is your wrist okay?"

"It's good." She held it up. "Doesn't hurt anymore."

"Good."

"How are you today?" she asked. "Any cars try to take you out?"

He grimaced. "No, not so far. Tomorrow your day off?"

"Yes," she said. "Look, it's starting to snow." Small snowflakes hit the windshield.

"Feel like some target practice tomorrow?" he asked. "I'm off, too. I'm too keyed up to sit in this town. I need the wide open space at the cabin."

"Okay, sure," she said. The more she handled her gun, the more confident she felt.

"We could head up in the morning."

"For the day?" she asked. "Or overnight?"

The question hung in the air, and she immediately realized it sounded like she was propositioning him.

"Whatever works," he said. "Pack a bag and we will play it by ear. I don't ever want you to feel uncomfortable."

Her spirit soared. There it was again, respect. She prayed he was sincere and his kind words weren't a trick to get her into bed. More than anything she wanted to trust him.

He pulled up in front of her cottage.

"I'd love to get out of town," she said. "I can breathe at the cabin. I'd love to go."

"Pick you up at eight, or is eight too early?"

"Eight is fine." She smiled. "See you in the morning. Thanks for the ride."

He waited while she let herself into the cottage before continuing on.

Once inside, she leaned against the front door, letting his invitation sink in. Butterflies danced in her stomach. Why? She'd been to his cabin before. He wanted to keep her safe, make sure she was prepared for anything—hence the shooting lessons. No, this time was different. She felt ready to open up to him. She had to know the truth; was there more to their relationship then a physical attraction?