I reached over and gently tapped the fingers that had her purse straps in a death grip.
A laugh bubbled out of her, and she released the bag. “I guess I’m not going to win an Oscar anytime soon.”
I grinned. “Might want to take a few classes before you head to Hollywood.” My smile slipped. “What’s got the anxiety humming?”
Hallie’s tongue darted out, licking her lips. “Everything.”
My brow furrowed.
“Anything new. Unknown. It’s hard. But that doesn’t mean I don’t want to do it. I just need to run through it in my head first.”
“Run through it in your head?” I asked.
She nodded. “It’s a trick I learned with my therapist. If I picture what I’m about to do in my head, imagine all the possibilities, it helps. That probably makes me sound crazy.”
“No,” I insisted. “It makes you sound smart. You’ve figured out a way to make life work for you, even though you’ve been through something incredibly traumatic. Something that changed you. It makes you smart as hell.”
Hallie stared at me for a long moment. “Thank you.”
“We all have scars. Things that we think might make us weak. But, in reality, they’re usually the source of our strength.”
Her eyes shone as they bored into mine. “I like thinking of it that way.”
“Me, too. Now, let’s do a practice run of what’s about to happen.”
The corner of her mouth kicked up. “Really?”
“Really. The SUV has already been ordered. Paperwork should be ready, and I’ve faxed in all the information they need. So, we’ll go in, the salesman will try to schmooze us, I’ll sign the papers, inspect the vehicle, and then we’ll be on our way.”
Hallie let out a slow breath as she stared at the building. I watched as her eyes tracked over the exits and realized she was planning her escape routes.
“I’ll be with you the whole time.”
That steely gaze flicked to me. “Let’s do this.”
I nodded, and we both slipped from my SUV. Heading for the doors of the dealership, I had the bizarre urge to take Hallie’s hand. To sweep my thumb back and forth across her knuckles to reassure her. I told myself it was because I’d been the one to find her years ago. Because I’d seen her in the aftermath of the horror she’d endured. That was all.
Opening the door, I held it for Hallie, and she cautiously stepped inside. I quickly followed, wanting her to feel my presence.
A man with a too-white smile was striding across the showroom floor in seconds. “I’m guessing you’re Lawson Hartley.”
The fact that I was in my police uniform was likely a dead giveaway. “I am. Chip?”
He nodded, extending his hand for a shake. As he did, his gaze tracked to my right and swept over Hallie. “And who is this lovely lady?”
Hell.The last thing Hallie needed was some smarmy bastard making her feel uncomfortable.
Chip offered Hallie a hand, but she just nodded at him. “Hallie.”
I stepped forward, cutting Chip off from Hallie. “How about we tackle that paperwork? I don’t have long before I need to head to the station.”
“Uh, sure thing. Of course.” Chip gestured for us to follow him down the hallway.
I moved in closer to Hallie as he started in that direction. “You okay?”
She bit her lip but nodded. “Men make me a little uneasy.”
It made sense. She’d suffered the worst kind of pain at the hands of a man. It would change how someone viewed the entire gender.
