“Of course, it is,” she grumbled. “Fine. You want to watch me walk home, I can’t stop you. And tell your brothers I respect the hell out of them for putting up with you.”
Oh, yeah, I like her. “Tell them yourself. We own the only bar in town. Come by and visit while you’re here. We can show you a good time.”
Thanks to the streetlight she stood under, he saw her eyes roll. She murmured something to her dog, and then she took a step off the sidewalk. The next step was more of a hobble, and her hand rested on her dog to steady herself.
He didn’t like the wince crossing her lovely face, but he resisted every instinct he had to help her. Another step. Another hobble. Another step. Another hobble, only this time, her leg buckled, but Easton was ready. He surged forward, supporting her injured side until she regained her balance.
“I know you don’t need the help,” he placated her. “But it strokes my ego to imagine I’m coming to a lovely lady’s aid. Humor me?”
He held her gaze. This close, he could see just how dark her irises were, almost as black as the night sky, but something brewed beneath the surface. He couldn’t pinpoint what it was, but he wanted to know. Heneededto know.
When was the last time a woman drew him in this way? He couldn’t remember. Then she started moving, and he focused on helping her cross the street into her grandmother’s yard.
“At the back.” Her voice was clipped and strained.
He wondered how much pain she was in. She held up well, but he was certain she was wishing for some painkillers or a strong shot of whiskey right about now.
Her dog led the way to the backyard and paused at the door, watching them gradually make their way. The massive pet had yet to growl at him, but neither did it draw closer to him. As protective as it was of its owner, it was skittish of him.
“Nice dog.” He hoped to distract her from the pain she was feeling, but he wasn’t sure small talk would do the trick.
“She has her moments.”
She pulled away from him as they neared the door. Reaching behind her, she withdrew a key and her phone. After tapping her screen to use its light, she placed the key in the lock and pushed the door open. He flipped a light switch as he helped her inside and maneuvered her to the kitchen table. She eased onto a chair with a sigh of relief, and Easton dropped to a knee.
“What are you doing?” She pulled away when he touched her leg.
“Checking your ankle. It could be worse than a sprain.”
She looked almost panicked as she shook her head. “That’s not necessary. I appreciate you helping me inside, but I can take care of things from here. You can go now.”
Easton tilted back without moving from the spot, hoping the space would help her ease up. Opting for a different tactic, he locked eyes with her dog. The dog stared back but didn’t growl or attempt to bite him. She wasn’t shielding her owner from him anymore either. He reached out a hand, palm side up, and held it low and still. The dog inched forward and sniffed carefully. He hoped he made the right move, but he mentally prepared himselfto lose a finger if she couldn’t tell by his scent that he was friend and not foe. Finally, she nuzzled his hand, and he flipped it over to scratch behind her ears.
“Good girl,” he crooned and bit back a satisfied smile when her tail started to wag. “What’s her name?”
“Roxy. She doesn’t usually take to strangers, especially men.”
He flicked his gaze up to her face, but she was watching Roxy respond to his attention.
“Abused?” he asked, returning his gaze to Roxy but keeping his peripheral on her owner.
“That’s what the vet said.”
“Bastards. Hurting a sweet girl like her.”
Realizing he wasn’t getting much else from Darby Anne’s granddaughter, he gave Roxy another good scratch behind her ears for good measure. Then he stood, his knee protesting from being in the bent position too long.
“Can I get you or Roxy anything before I go then? Water for her? Ice for your ankle? You should elevate that.”
“I know, and I will. If it will make you feel better, you can check Roxy’s bowls over by the sink. I’m sure they’re full, but just in case, you can fill them for her. Then you’re free to go.”
Easton could take a hint, but he didn’t always heed it. After seeing that Roxy, indeed, had water and food, he took a dish towel from the counter and palmed it so he could set ice cubes in the center and wrap the cloth around them.
“Bailee? What’s going on? Easton? What are you doing here? Is everything okay?”
Easton had just closed the freezer door when he heard Darby Anne’s voice. The petite woman was shuffling into the kitchenwith her feet encased in fuzzy slippers with fat pink bows stretching over the top. Her purple robe covered her sleepwear, and her silver hair flowed loose over her shoulders to reach almost to her waist.
“Gran, everything’s fine. I didn’t mean to wake you.”
