“Thanks for coming in.” Her response was automatic.
“I’ll see you soon.” Conviction as well as promise laced his words, and it shocked her how much she hoped he meant it.
After locking the door behind him, she stood in place for a few moments, watching him climb into his nondescript black pickup truck. It resembled a thousand others on the road, in stark contrast to its intense, unforgettable owner.
The barback tugged the chain to turn off the Open sign, reminding her of the chores still ahead of her.
It was past time to shove away thoughts of the stranger.
She checked her watch. A few minutes after one a.m.
It had been a long day. Another long day. With her parents still on vacation, the responsibility for running the pub had fallen to her. That wouldn’t have been so bad, but Mary, the nighttime manager, had called in sick. And Elissa’s freelance graphic project was due at the end of the week. Sleep had been in short supply for the past month.
Month?
Actually, it had been more than a year. Her father’s cancer diagnosis had upended her family’s world. The emotional turmoil had taken its toll as they all fought through the terrifying uncertainty and fear.
After his final chemotherapy treatment, her parents had departed for a much-needed break.
Andrew continued walking through the area, switching off the neon beer signs. “Everything’s done. Clean and ready for tomorrow.”
“Not sure how I would have managed without you.” For the first time ever, he’d ended up waiting on several customers, and he’d done a good job. “Why don’t you go ahead and leave?”
“I’ll wait until you’re done and walk you to your car.”
“That’s okay.” She shook her head. It had been busier than usual for a Tuesday, more like she’d expect closer to the weekend. “I still have to reconcile the cash register, and that will take some time. You worked your ass off this evening. Go see your girlfriend.”
“It’s our one-month date-iversary. I didn’t know that was a thing until this morning, and she warned me I better not screw it up.” Clearly besotted, he grinned. “I don’t mind staying, though, for a few more minutes.”
“Go.”
He glanced toward the rear exit. “If you’re sure…”
“It’s your date-iversary. Go.” She made a sweeping motion with her hand.
Grinning, she turned the deadbolt once he left.
After turning off the main dining room lights, Elissa retreated to the tiny management office. She sank into the old military-surplus style leather chair behind the metal desk. Determined to ignore the clock on the wall, she counted the cash, balanced the register, then ran the credit card settlement.
Once everything was done and the bank deposit was locked in the safe, she sighed, part in relief, part in satisfaction.
Finally.
As usual, she straightened the desktop and gave the office a final glance to be sure everything was where it needed to be.
Satisfied, she released her hair from its ponytail and fed her fingers through the strands to separate them, part of her ritual for ending the workday and easing into her off time.
Then she reached for her lightweight jacket. Even though it was summer, Colorado could still hold a chill after the sun set. Finally she slung her purse over her shoulder before plucking her keyring from a hook in the wall.
She let herself out the door, then secured the deadbolt behind her.
There were only a handful of vehicles in the parking lot, and she headed toward hers at a quick clip.
As she neared it, a figure detached itself from the adjoining building.
She struggled for calm, telling herself that the person wasn’t heading toward her. But as she broke into a jog, so did the figure.
Frantically she ran, hitting the remote control to unlock the car, praying she could make it to safety before the assailant reached her. As she grasped the door handle, he crowded behind her, pressing her against the side of the vehicle.
“Get away from me!”
When he didn’t, she screamed.
“Calm down.”
Fuck. She recognized his gruff voice. The cowboy. For a moment, she went still. But when he pressed her harder against the car, fear flared, and she instinctively fought back. “Get the hell off me!”
He was unyielding, and her strength was no match for his.
“Hawkeye sent me.”
Elissa froze. Hawkeye?
Of course he’d sent someone. She should have expected it when she refused to let him provide her with a bodyguard.
Years before, she’d met the wounded military man when he returned from an overseas mission. The first few times he’d come into the pub, he’d been quiet, drinking whiskey neat, staring at a wall while occasionally flinching.
They’d gone out a number of times, and she’d cared about him. But no matter how hard she tried, she couldn’t connect with him on an emotional level. He kept more secrets than he shared. But the one thing she learned was that the need for revenge consumed his every waking thought. In the end, it had been impossible to have any kind of relationship with him.
When he informed her that he’d started Hawkeye Security, she wasn’t surprised. And when he came to say goodbye, she tearfully stroked his cheek while wishing him well.
She had been stunned when he called her to tell her she was at risk. Someone from his past threatened the people he cared about. Before hanging up, she dismissed his ridiculous concerns. Their halfhearted relationship was so far in the past that no one could possibly believe that she meant anything to Hawkeye.
“You’re going to need to come with me.”
“Oh hell no.” Her earlier attraction to the stranger had vanished, replaced by anger. She made her own choices and didn’t appreciate his heavy-handed tactics. “Tell Hawkeye I said both of you should fuck off. Or better yet, I will.”
“I’m not sure you understand.” His breath was warm and threatening next to her ear.
And now she understood why he’d spent so many hours at that table. He’d been studying her, planning the best way to bend her to his will.
But Elissa answered to no man.
“You’re in danger.”
“I can take care of myself. Now get off me, you…” What? “Oaf.”
“As soon as you give me your word that you’ll get in my truck without creating a fuss.”
Realizing physical resistance was futile, she allowed her body to go limp and concentrated on tamping down her adrenaline long enough to outwit him. She needed to think and escape his unbearable presence. “How about I’ll go home and stay there?”
“Not happening.”
“Look…” There was no way she would yield to this oversize, determined goon, even if he was pure masculine perfection. “I’ll agree to have one of his employees stay with me.”
“He made that offer. You turned it down.”
Damn you both. Why hadn’t she just agreed to Hawkeye’s suggestions?
“Let me be clear, Elissa…”
Despite herself, the way he said her name, gently curled around the sibilant sound, made her nerves tingle.
“He made it my job to protect you, and he signed off on my plan.”
“Care to fill me in?”
“Yeah. We’ll go to my ranch until he gives the all-clear.”