Page 72 of Trail to Trouble
“True. I thought that, too. I guess I just want everyone involved to be aware of the possible danger.”
So, she thought of him asInvolved.
Her quick breaths and sniffles broke his heart.
“Please let me come to you.”
“I can’t.”
“Then come here.”
“I can’t. It’s for your own safety.”
“So, I don’t even get a say?” That came out edgier than he’d hoped.
“No. Please take care of yourself.”
She disconnected the call before he could reply.
His chest squeezed as if belted. That was it? Done? No. That was bullshit. He’d finally reconnected with her, and he would not let her go again.
God, his shoulder hurt almost as much as his rejected heart.
He went into the bathroom and yanked his T-shirt over his head, and studied the round, purplish, jagged-edged scar on his right shoulder. Surgery, followed by months of physical therapy, and he was able to regain ninety percent mobility. Every now and then, he was reminded it wasn’t one hundred percent. It was usually when he did strenuous sporting activities. Right now, his shoulder burned as if the flesh had just been torn open. Since that wasn’t the case, he pulled his shirt back on and ignored the phantom pain.
Weren’t the scars he bore from that horrible day atop Lover’s Leap a rite of passage to Katrina? Shouldn’t she give him some decision-making authority? For chrissake, he’d been shot, had two nasty scars on his head that required his hair to be shaved off in order to stitch them up, and he had had more bumps and bruises than he could count on his arms, legs, and torso. And now, he didn’t get any decision-making authority? This was bullshit.
He dialed her number again. No answer. Anger had him dialing again. Nothing.
Rethinking his actions, he blew out a sigh and tossed the phone back onto the counter, supposing the last thing she needed was another man in her life trying to control her. That didn’t work out so well the last time for her. If he wanted a chance at staying in her life, he needed a better plan.
He sank into his oversized leather recliner and thought. What would be a better plan?
Hell, he didn’t know. He just knew he needed one. Maybe his sister Cici could help, but calling her would involve another person in this mess and maybe put her in danger. For now, he’d have to come up with a plan on his own.
ChapterNineteen
From the driveway,Katrina stared at Hunter’s beautiful log home. She didn’t remember driving here, but here she sat.
His pleas on the phone tugged at her heart. The hurt in his voice when she shot down his request for a say in the matter brought more tears. The man had done nothing wrong. In fact, he’d done everything right by risking himself to save her. He’d wrapped her in his protective hold and thrown them both over Lover’s Leap Falls, even after getting shot. He never even hesitated. He just reacted.
Then, he abided by her wish to stay away. Until recently, when they happened upon each other by accident. Guilt consumed her after she ignored his calls earlier in the day. She couldn’t stand herself. And now, here she was in his driveway. Still, she debated going in. She wanted to, but should she?
Before she cut the engine, she glanced around one more time to see if anyone had followed her. It didn’t appear so.
She slid out of the car and hurried to his front door and depressed the doorbell. When the door opened, she threw herself into his arms.
“I’m sorry.”
“For what?”
“For all of it. Getting you shot. Putting you in danger. For ignoring your calls. For all of it.”
She sobbed into his chest. He pulled her into the house, kicked the door shut, and held her firmly. She couldn’t stop crying. Years of pent-up fear and anxiety had taken over as if she had no say about it.
“Shh. It’ll be okay. It’ll all be fine. I’m not going to let him hurt you again,” Hunter whispered into her ear.
She wished that were true, but she honestly believed Sebastián was capable of anything. The fact that he was likely out of prison now provided a better opportunity for him to get even with her for what she’d put him through. The trial and almost ten years in prison. Without a doubt, she knew he’d come out of prison an angry man.
