Page 14 of Katherine's Last Hope
She nodded.
Leaning into the vehicle, he reached around her to release the belt. The scent of lavender and vanilla hit him square in the chest, taking him back to the night before when he’d held her in his arms. He shoved those thoughts out of his brain. Now wasn’t the time to dwell on whatever that reaction was. Especially with Katherine yet again needing help out of a potentially dangerous situation.
“I’m going to slip my arm around your back and get you out of the vehicle now.” He did just that and gently applied pressure to coax her to move. He could lift her out if needed but that would be a last resort.
His touch must have snapped her out of whatever haze held her captive. She jolted forward, her hand gripping his arm as she jumped out of the seat.
He held her steady. “I got you,” he said. “You’re safe.”
Her body shook and she clung to the front of his uniform, fisting the fabric by his neck in her small hands.
“Let’s get you to my cruiser. I have some water.”
She kept her grip firm as he guided her to his car.
“I need to get in my car to grab the water,” he said.
When she didn’t remove her death grip, he covered the back of her hand with his palm and guided it to his side. He opened the passenger side door and found an unopened bottle of water in the console. He handed it to her. “Are you injured?”
Her chin quivered and the tears poured out faster. “I…I’m sore. The truck. It hit me. Pushed me off the road. Just like Theo. I could have—” Sobs stole the rest of her words. She used her free hand to cover her mouth and her face twisted in pure agony.
Unable to stop himself, he pulled her close and wrapped his arms around her. He moved his palm up and down her spine, doing whatever he could to console her. Hell, he’d assumed her reaction was solely based on fear. He hadn’t considered the PTSD that’d paralyze her due to her losing her husband in a fatal accident.
She buried her head against the side of his neck and clung to him.
“You’re fine. Do you hear me? You made it out of that car without a single scratch.”
Pulling back, she sniffed back her tears and locked her gaze on his. “Last night was scary. But this…Iknewsomething wasn’t right. That the guy behind me wasn’t just some random stranger who needed to get somewhere fast. Then when he hit me…all I could think about was Theo and what must have gone through his head that night. What would Ollie do if the same thing happened to me?”
The crack in her voice shredded his heart. He tucked a long piece of hair behind her ear and forced her eyes to meet his. “Don’t let your mind circle around the what ifs, or you’ll drive yourself crazy.”
She nodded and drew in a shuddering breath. “You’re right. Thank you.”
The sound of a siren broke them apart.
Katherine winced and gingerly touched her fingertips to the side of her neck.
Frowning, he shoved his hand in his pocket to keep from touching her again. “An ambulance will be here soon. They’ll check you over. Do you want me to call anyone for you?”
Sighing, she squeezed her eyes shut for a beat. When she opened them again, defeat was clear in her brown hues. “My dad’s going to flip. He’ll never leave my side after this.”
“He’s worried about you. That’s what dads are for.” Not like he’d know. His dad was usually the source of his worrying, not the person looking out for him.
“You’re right. He’s great, and so are my brothers and grandfather. I’m so appreciative of their help, and after this, that help will be needed. I’m not sure I’ll feel safe on my own. There’s no way it’s a coincidence I’ve been targeted two days in a row. Don’t you think?”
He wished he could lie to her. That he could tell her there was a chance, however slim, that she’d been in the wrong place at the wrong time twice. But she wasn’t an idiot, and he wasn’t one to lie to protect someone’s feelings. Honesty was always best.
“I think someone wants to hurt you, and I’m afraid they won’t stop until they get what they want.”
6
Katherine sat in the back of the ambulance and stared into the penlight the medic shone in her eye. She clasped her hands in her lap as anxiety danced up her spine. Not because of the madman out to get her, but because Cody was steps away speaking with her family.
“No concussion,” Catie, the young medic, said and clicked off the light. “I recommend over-the-counter pain medicine. Maybe some ice to help with soreness. Try and take it easy if you can.”
She almost laughed. What single working mother ever had the opportunity to take it easy?
“Thanks, Catie. Am I free to go?”
