“I think you need to leave the premises, Alex, before I have to arrest you for assault.” Shane moved so that he stood between Alex and Maggie.

“Oh, so you can f**k her then? This is all about you getting into her bed isn’t it?” Alex’s voice broke, he screamed it so loud. Incensed, Maggie jumped up to get in his face but Kyle grabbed her, his arms around her waist, murmuring into her ear.

“You bastard! Don’t you ever call me or contact me again.”

Shane dragged Alex to the door and tossed him bodily outside. “You’re lucky I’m here as the sheriff today, Alex. If I was just here as Shane Chase you’d be spitting out teeth right now. Now you leave her alone just as she’s asked or you’ll be asking for a world of hurt.” Shane glowered at Alex and turned back into The Pumphouse.

Olivia and Dee spoke softly to Maggie, trying to calm her down. Shane approached and put a hand on her shoulder. “Maggie, are you all right?” he asked, concern evident in his voice.

Kyle looked at the staring crowd. “Okay, folks, I’m sure we don’t want to upset Maggie any more so let’s just get back to our beers and burgers.”

“Thank god you came in when you did. What made you come in?” Maggie asked them gratefully.

“Matt saw you bump into Alex. He thought it looked like Alex had grabbed you. I was walking up the street with Kyle, Matt called out to us and we all came over. I’m sorry I didn’t stop him sooner. What happened, Maggie?”

“I don’t even know really. I was walking in here and saw Matt and John across the way and I waved. I turned around and bumped into Alex. I said hello and for whatever reason, it set him off. He started freaking out about me waving at Matt and John. He said I was acting like a slut, that I was his girl.” She rubbed her arm where he’d grabbed it. “Then he grabbed me, twice, and shoved me into the booth and called me a whore. That creep called me, Margaret Elizabeth Wright, a whore! I should kick his sorry ass for that.” On the outside she was livid but she burned with humiliation.

Kyle’s face darkened. “Are you hurt?”

She shook her head. “I might have a bruise on my arm but other that I’m just pissed off.”

“Would you like to press charges, Maggie? It’s assault you know.” Shane knelt on his haunches in front of her.

“No, I don’t ever want to deal with him again.” Her bottom lip was trembling.

“Come on, let’s get you home. I have some time left on my shift.” He looked to Kyle. “Can you run her home? Just go through her place?”

“It’s not a problem. Really, don’t go out of your way.” Maggie chewed on her lip.

Kyle smiled gently at her. “Don’t worry about it. It’s not out of my way at all. And it’s certainly not a chore to ferry a beautiful woman around town.” He reached out to her to give her a hand that she took gratefully.

Liv and Dee hugged her and told her they’d call her the next day. “Do you want to stay with me?” Liv asked.

“No, Liv, I’ll see you tomorrow, I just want to go home and take a bath and go to sleep.”

With a gentle guiding hand, Kyle nodded to everyone and took her out to his car.

On the way to her house he stayed quiet, letting her pull herself together. She appreciated that space. She wasn’t ready to talk about it any further at that point.

When he pulled into her driveway he got out and came around to help her get out. “I’m going to come in, Maggie. Just to do a quick check. I don’t think there’s a problem but let’s just be safe. All right?” He took the key from her and unlocked the door.

“You think he might be here?” Nausea rolled over her at the idea. She’d always felt safe living alone, now she didn’t.

“No, darlin’ I just want to be safe.” His voice was soothing as he reached in to turn on the light before walking into the foyer. “I’m just going to look around. I want you to stay here while I do. I’ll be right back.”

Leaving her there, trying to set aside how scared she looked, he walked through each room of the house. He checked window seals and locks, closets, doors and under beds. No one else was there or had tried to get in and he was pleased to note that her locks and other security were in good shape.

“It’s all right,” he called out, coming down the stairs. The scent of her bedroom was burned into his memory. Rain and vanilla. And the sight of her panties, folded in silky piles on her dresser had made him clutch his chest. The knowledge that the woman wore silky, lacy thong underwear in every color of the rainbow haunted him.

The woman was involved with his brother. His brother who hadn’t bothered to call yet to check in.

“I know it sounds weird but I’m suddenly hungry. Care to see what I’ve got in my fridge? I know I need some food to go with that scotch I’m going to drink.”

He didn’t want to leave. “Sure. Sounds good.” Following her into the large kitchen, he sat at her comfortable, worn table.

On her tip toes, she reached up into a cabinet and pulled out a bottle of scotch. “Why don’t you do the honors?” She put the bottle on the counter. “I’m going to see what we’ve got to choose from.” Turning quickly, she opened the fridge and began to examine the contents.

In companionable silence, Kyle poured them both two fingers of scotch, breathing in the smoky scent. He handed her a glass which she quickly drained and held the glass out to be refilled. With one eyebrow raised, he poured more but she merely took a sip and put the glass down and continued to work.