Till There Was You (5 page)

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O
n the solitary drive back into town, Lily contemplated the few interactions she’d had with Linc, noting what she had already learned about him. He was a loner, but he was courteous.  He’d shown respect and care for her wellbeing, but had easily shut her out the moment she’d overstepped whatever his personal boundaries were when she tried to help him. He didn’t seem to like people at all.

She wondered what his deal was. Had something terrible happened that made him untrusting of the world and people? Or was he just a stand-offish jerk who completely lacked social skills and had grown used to not using them at all?

Hoping her brother had more information on him, Lily parked out front of the station when she got back to town.

“Third visit in less than eight hours. Gee, Lil, I’m starting to think you might actually like my company,” Matt joked as she pushed through the main doors.

“Unlikely,” she responded in kind, walking over to the small countertop to pour herself a coffee.

“Then I guess this is about the guy you just drove home?”

Stirring cream into her coffee, she leaned against the counter, crossing her feet at the ankles in an attempt to look nonchalant. “What do you know about him?”

He shrugged. “Not much. I know his name and that he’s staying at the old Plowman place, but that’s all I’ve ever known since he got here. Ruth sent me an email when he arrived to let me know he’d be staying in town indefinitely so we didn’t think she had squatters. Said he was a family friend, and that’s the extent of it.”

“I wonder how he knows her,” Lily mused, moving closer to sit in the chair opposite him.

“Why the sudden interest?”

Turning her lips downward, she picked at a non-existent speck of fluff on her jeans. “No reason. I’ve just seen him around town and I’m curious, is all.”

Matt chuckled. “Sure, that’s the reason.”

“What?” she snapped. “You think I
like
him?”

“I don’t think anything, sis. I just know your type—and brooding bad boy seems to be it.”

“He’s
not
a bad boy. He helped me.”

“He’s a bad boy,” Doug piped up from across the room.

Twisting in her chair, Lily narrowed her eyes at the constable, who was almost as much of a brother to her as her real one. Even as kids, they’d all looked out for one another throughout their school years. Most people they knew had gone to college and moved away to bigger cities with grander horizons. But the three of them had stayed in town and turned it into their home. “No one asked you,
Douglas
.”

“You know I hate that name.”

“Then keep your opinion to yourself.” She poked out her tongue.

Doug laughed and busied himself with something in a file before she turned back to Matt. “So, you have nothing on him at all?”

“Well, I wouldn’t quite call it nothing. His earlier comment about being a CFA got me thinking.”

“Wouldn’t CFA be some sort of Fire Department?”

“Initially, that’s what I thought. But seeing as Ruth called him a family friend, I’m guessing he has something to do with her son—and he’s military.”

“Okay. So, he’s ex-military? That would explain the attitude.”

Matt opened a cream file and pulled out a crisp sheet of printed paper. “It stands for Combat First Aider.”

Lily pulled at her lip with her teeth as she digested this new information. “So, you think he went to war and saw too much, and that’s why he’s all broody?”

“Who knows? But I think you should keep your distance until we know a bit more about him. If he’s going through some sort of PTSD, the guy could be a time bomb. I don’t want you around him if he explodes.”

“I don’t think he’s dangerous.”

“Lil, we don’t know anything about him. He
could
be.”

Crossing her arms, Lily chewed at her thumbnail, her teeth clicking against its edges as she thought over her brother’s concerns.

“This is stupid,” she said finally, slapping her thighs as she stood, preparing to leave. “Maybe the guy just needs a friend.”

“Maybe. Maybe not. Just give me a few days. I’ll see what I can dig up so we know what we’re dealing with.”

“You’re talking like he’s some kind of wild animal or virus. He’s just a guy.”

“Yeah, and you’re my kid sister.”

They looked at each other pointedly, but any further chance at continuing the argument was cut short when the phone erupted in a cacophony of digital pings.

Matt snatched up the receiver and pressed it to his ear. “Newsham Police Department. Sergeant Colbert sp—”

Lily watched with interest as Matt listened to the caller, his brow creasing deeper as the conversation went on. “You don’t have a car?” He was silent as he listened to the caller speak. “Okay, I’ll send Doug.”

“What’s going on?” she asked immediately, as if she actually had some right to know police business. Matt simply looked at her and shook his head before replying with a sigh.

“Seems our new friend needs a favor. He and his dog were attacked by a wolf.”

“
What
?” she gaped.

Her brother held up his hands in a calming gesture. “He’s okay, but his dog got messed up and needs the vet. Doug, can you go out to the Plowman place and get the guy?”

Doug’s face lost all expression. “You want me to sit in a car with that guy...alone?” He gulped and Lily rolled her eyes. She couldn’t believe how scared these two men were of a guy they didn’t even know. They were the police, for heaven’s sake.

“I’ll go,” she stated, already heading out the door toward her truck.

“Lily!” Matt called after her, following her out.

“I can handle myself, Matt,” she responded before climbing into the driver’s seat and slamming the door.

With an exasperated sigh, Matt rubbed the back of his head. “Just...be careful, okay?”

“Aren’t I always?” She grinned as she turned the key and revved the engine.

“Never,” Matt responded. “That’s why I have heartburn at twenty-eight.”

Laughing, Lily reversed into the street before heading straight back to the place she just left, an excited rhythm settling in as her heart beat against her chest.

L
inc heard the vehicle before he saw it while he marched toward town. He hadn’t wanted to waste a moment waiting when he could start walking and have the constable collect him from the side of the road. He had his dog wrapped in a blanket and clutched to his chest. With each step, he promised his canine companion he’d be okay. The dog had to be okay.

Flashes of battlefields and anguished cries rattled his mind, reminding him of all the lives he saved and the many he lost. When the lights of the truck flickered across his vision, he heard the long past echo of a scream that lived deep in the back of his memory and his chest tightened. Stopping abruptly, his heart thudded in his chest and he had to fight for air. His dog whimpered and licked his face, pulling Linc back to the present. Despite his pain, the animal still cared more for his master than he did himself.

“It’s okay, boy. I’m getting you help.”

He had made it almost a third of the way before a familiar truck skidded to a halt, a certain young woman looking wide-eyed and flustered at finding him so far from home.
This was not Doug. It was supposed to be Doug.

“Still don’t need my help?” Lily asked, winding down the window, her breath producing plumes of white mist as she spoke.

Shifting the dog’s weight in his arms, Linc set off walking again. “I still don’t. I didn’t ask for you,” he growled as he stalked past.

Crunching snow beneath tires told him she was turning the truck around. This time, she didn’t pull up beside him. Instead, she used the truck to block his path, forcing him to stop moving. Linc pressed his lips in a hard line as the passenger door swung open in front of him, revealing Lily’s equally frustrated face staring out at him.

“Shove your pride, you ass. This is for the dog, not you. Now get in,” she snapped, with a look that said don’t-be-so-stupid firmly in place.

A dissatisfied rumble rolled through Linc’s chest, but he knew she was right; it would be much faster. He just hated the idea of getting more involved with this woman—of being alone with her. There was already something happening whenever he looked at her, something unsettling—something he didn’t want to explore in any way, shape, or form.

For the sake of his dog, he conceded with a quick nod. Although, instead of getting in the cabin with her, he kicked the door closed. Then with a massive surge of strength born from adrenalin, he vaulted over the side of the truck to land in the tray. He cradled his dog to him with one arm as he sat down and braced himself for the ride.

Reaching back, he tapped on the dividing glass to let her know he was ready. A moment later, he heard her change gears and held on as she accelerated a little faster than necessary, tires spinning in the slippery conditions. Linc would be lying if the word ‘crazy’ didn’t cross his mind as he held on tight.

The dog licked at his face, whimpering while Linc stared into his pale eyes, hoping they would make it in time. Despite the makeshift dressing he had applied, he could feel the warmth of blood spreading as it continued to soak into the blanket.

A short while later, the truck lost speed and he hoped they were there. His dog had closed his eyes a few minutes ago and had not opened them since. After the truck came to a complete stop, he stood and prepared to jump down.

“Give him to me,” Lily commanded, her arms stretched out to take the precious cargo.

Reluctant to let go of something he cared for, Linc gripped the dog a little tighter.

“Come on, Linc. You don’t want to jolt him when you land. It could make his injuries worse. I promise to treat him like my own.”

They could have been talking about a child—dogs were that important to people—and after a moment, Linc accepted the soft look in Lily’s caring eyes and passed his dog to her before jumping to the ground. Just as Linc was about to take his dog back, the sergeant walked out of the vet clinic’s doors.

“I need to ask you a couple questions,” he directed at Linc.

“What? Now?” Linc couldn’t believe his ears.

“I’ll get him inside,” Lily promised, turning on her heel and rushing the dog inside.

“Make it quick, Sarge.” Linc really wanted to push past him and tell him to stick his questions up his ass, but he knew getting local law enforcement offside was probably a bad move, especially after last night.

“Relax, you’re not in trouble, I just need some info on the attack and if you think it’s worth putting a hunting party together.”

“I’ll take care of it,” Linc replied immediately, the need for vengeance by his own hand causing his fists to clench by his sides. “Now, if you’ll excuse me, I need to check on my dog.”

“Sure.” Matt waved his hand dismissively as Linc stepped around him and went inside.

Lily was sitting in one of the plastic waiting chairs, her leg bouncing up and down from agitation as she flipped through the pages of an old magazine. It was clear she wasn't reading it as she didn’t pause on one page long enough to actually take in any of the words. The tiny hairs on the back of Linc’s neck told him she was watching him as he stood and waited at the counter.

“Does anyone even work here?” he growled in frustration as he leaned forward, trying to see past the door behind reception.

Lily placed her magazine back on the table. “Tim, the vet, is already working on your dog. He’ll take a look at the bite then come back out here to see what you want to do.” Lily’s soft tones did little to settle him as she spoke to his broad back.

“I want him to fix my fucking dog. That’s what I want him to do,” Linc retorted, slamming his fists on the counter before turning around to face her. That’s when he realized Matt had followed him inside and was sitting with his sister.

“That’s what he’s doing,” Matt said.

Linc narrowed his eyes. “What are you even doing here?”

The sergeant stretched out his legs and crossed them at the ankles as he shrugged. “Someone had to get Tim. It’s New Year’s Day, he wasn’t open.”

Linc’s hand floated up as he gripped the back of his neck and rubbed sheepishly. “Ahhh...thanks...I guess.”

Matt’s chest shook with a chuckle as he indicated for Lily to hand him a magazine. “Thanks, he guesses,” he repeated, smiling as he shook his head. “He guesses.”

For a moment, he met Lily’s eyes. Her green irises seemed to hold a mixture of concern and pity. Needing to look away, Linc raked his hands through his hair and beard as he paced the floor. He didn’t need her pity. What he really needed was for her to go away and stop being so damn pushy. He helped her once—it was the right thing to do—and now she was following him around acting like she owed him some sort of blood debt. He didn’t want anything but to be left alone.

At the sound of a door opening, Linc stopped pacing and turned toward it. Emerging from the swinging door was a bent over old man. He had white hair and skin so wrinkled it could belong to an elephant. Linc assumed this guy was Tim.