Best Friends (New Species #15)(37)

“How’s your foot?”

She leaned forward, staring at her feet. There were a few small cuts on the bottom of her left foot, probably from the glass she’d run through to reach the front door after throwing plates and glasses at the jerk who’d attacked her. None of them were deep. Sheriff Cooper had cleaned and bandaged them before getting her a clean pair of socks to wear from somewhere in the station. “It’s good. Thank you for giving me first aid.”

“It’s part of the job when a young lady refuses to let me drive her to the hospital.”

She almost smiled. The old sheriff really could be gruff, but he also had a tender side. She’s seen it when she’d come running into the station. He’d immediately gotten her into a seat, yelled for a first-aid kit from Dan, and calmly got the details from her. He’d played nurse while firmly issuing orders to his deputies to go after the man she’d described as best she could. He’d only left her side after she was calmer and patched up to his satisfaction.

He held her gaze. “I’ll talk to Mitzy about what that old man said to her, and also the few customers who were there during the shooting. They swore to keep quiet about what happened. Nobody in this town enjoys it when something goes down with the NSO, and then we get inundated by those stupid news people and all their damn vans. This reporter never gave his name or who he worked for? How about a hint of who gave him that tip?”

She shook her head. “No. He wasn’t a friendly, talkative sort.”

Sheriff Cooper sighed. “Damn vultures. Nobody has called the station nosing around. That’s good. We kept everything tightly under wraps. I still want to find this reporter. Maybe he has someone working with him, and that someone took it upon themselves to scare you into talking. You said the suspect wanted to ask you questions?”

She replayed in her head what had happened, trying to remember his exact words. It was a little muddled. She’d been panicked and afraid. “He wanted me to answer questions, and I got the impression he planned to grab me. Like, take me somewhere else.”

That caused Sheriff Cooper to reach out and gently pat her leg. “You’re safe. It’s over. Do you want me to hand you your purse so you can call someone to come be with you?”

“I don’t own a cell phone.”

Sheriff Cooper looked surprised. “Everyone has one these days.”

“Not me. I barely cover my living expenses on what I make. Besides, then my mama would bug me. Joel lets me use the phone at the diner to call my parents every other week, and they have that number if they need to reach me in case of an emergency. Someone would drive over to my place to let me know if that happened.”

“You should have a phone, Mel.”

She wasn’t going to argue with him. “I should call Mary.” Then a horrible thought hit. “Mary! What if that bad guy breaks into her place, too? She was working the day of the shooting, if that’s what this is about. She said she was having dinner with her folks but she should be going home in a couple of hours.”

Sherriff Cooper stood. “Shit. I’ll go over there right now. You stay put. The NSO is sending some people to assist us. They’re good trackers, and some blood was found at scene. You hurt the bastard. Deputy Dan will wait here with you. Answer any questions the NSO have. They frequently help us out with these kinds of situations.”

She hid her grimace. It wasn’t because of the NSO being involved but the thought of being alone with her ex-boyfriend. “Shouldn’t I come with you? I know Mary’s place as well as my own, and could tell you if anything is missing if it was broken into. We have keys to each other’s places.”

“Stay.” Sheriff Cooper yelled for his deputy and told him where he was going, then shoved on his hat and exited the small station.

Dan approached her. “You’re more than welcome to move into my house if you’re afraid to return to your apartment.”

“No way.”

He frowned. “You really didn’t give us much of a chance before, Mel. Some dickhead broke into your apartment, and we haven’t caught him. It’s just smart if you stay with me until we catch this criminal.” He puffed out his chest in a macho display of strength. “I’ll keep you safe.”

“Let me be clear, and I’ll speak in small words so you’ll understand.” She held his gaze. “We broke up for good reasons. I’m not interested.”

Embarrassment flashed across his face. “This is about your safety.”

She rolled her eyes. “No, it’s not. You see another opportunity. I’m not going to date you again. It’s over. And this is low, even for you. Can you say bad timing, Dan? Using my crappy day to your advantage?”

He opened his mouth to argue more—it wasn’t their first time—but the doors opened and Snow rushed inside.

Mel was stunned but thrilled to see him. She stood to go to him, but he came at her fast. Before she could get a word out, he lifted her right off her feet, and she was smashed against his body in a bear hug.

“I’m here.” Snow loudly sniffed at her, nudging her head with his until he could bury his nose against her throat.

She had automatically wrapped her arms around him. “What are you doing?”

“I don’t smell blood.” He lifted his head and locked gazes with her.