chapter four

“Was that Annie Hinkle?” Gabe asked, every sense on alert. When she

nodded, he tried to remain calm. “What happened?”

Larissa’s tortured gaze met his. “I don’t know, but I think we should call

the police.”

He quickly turned the boat back toward his pier. “Are you sure? Maybe

she just didn’t want anyone to know she was calling you.”

“She was talking really softly, as if she didn’t want anyone to hear her. But

then I heard a crash and then—nothing. I’m worried something terrible has

happened to her.”

He understood where she was coming from. The dark bruise around

Annie’s wrist had revealed an ugly story despite her claims of falling off the

porch. He’d seen his share of domestic violence cases when he’d been in

Madison, but he couldn’t figure out why the women didn’t just get out. He

knew being a victim was part of the cycle, believing the guy was going to

change, thinking that next time the same thing wouldn’t happen, but it was

still frustrating.

“Call 911 and send the deputies over there just in case.”

He could hear Larissa on the phone, speaking to Deputy Thomas,

explaining Annie’s abrupt call and the crash she’d heard. After she finished,

she turned back toward him. “They said they’d send a squad out to check

things out.”

“That’s good,” he said as he pulled up next to his pier. “Wait for me to

help you,” he cautioned. He made quick work of tying up the boat before

giving her a helping hand.

She crutch-walked up the front lawn at a fast pace. He followed close

behind. “Do you know where Annie and Kurt live?” she asked as they

rounded the house.

He had a bad feeling about where this was going. “Yes. They live in a

small house in the woods. They don’t have access to the lake, but their house

is tucked into the trees. I think Kurt likes his privacy.” Privacy that gave him

plenty of opportunity to hit his wife without anyone overhearing.

“Will you drive me there?”

He didn’t want to because he was worried about her safety. Both Kurt and

Tommy could be unpredictable. Yet how could he refuse? If anything, Larissa might be able to calm Annie down if she was upset since she’d

established a good rapport with the patient during her last visit.

“I’ll drive you there,” he agreed. “But we’re not going inside until the cops

show up.”

Larissa looked like she wanted to protest, but she didn’t say anything as

she slid into the passenger seat. He took the crutches, stuffed them in the

back, and then jogged around to the driver’s side.

“Hurry,” Larissa urged.

He was already pushing the speed limit, but he nudged the gas pedal a bit

more. “Try calling Annie back, see if she answers.”

Larissa did as he suggested, but apparently no one answered because she

dropped the phone into her lap. “I don’t like it,” she murmured. “Something’s

not right.”

As he approached the south side of the lake, he heard the wail of sirens

getting louder. The squad sped past them, kicking up dust and gravel, and he

couldn’t help feeling a sense of relief.

He could only hope and pray the deputies had gotten there in time.

When he approached the long, winding driveway, he pulled off on the side

of the road and cut the engine.

“What are you doing?” she asked, her tone laced with impatience. “We

have to check on Annie.”

“Larissa, the police are there. We can’t just barge up the driveway into the

middle of what could be a bad situation. For all we know, Annie could be a

hostage. There could be weapons involved.” And from what he’d heard about

Kurt, the guy was an avid hunter, so for sure he owned at least one gun, if not

more. “Let’s just sit here for a minute and wait.”

Larissa’s expression betrayed her frustration, but when she bowed her

head to pray, he reached over to take her hand in his. “Dear Lord, we ask that

You please keep Annie safe in Your care,” he murmured.

“Amen,” Larissa whispered.

Larissa stared through the windshield, searching for some sign of either

Annie or the police. Both windows were down, too, but they couldn’t hear

anything, and she wasn’t sure if that was a good thing or not. At least there

wasn’t any shouting or gunfire. But what if everyone was already dead? She

couldn’t bear the thought.

Usually prayer helped keep her calm, but she couldn’t deny an acute sense of urgency. She was pleased that Gabe had prayed with her, and if the

situation wasn’t so tense, she might have asked him more about what had

caused him to stray from his faith.

The sound of muted voices reached her ears, and she grabbed Gabe’s

hand. “Did you hear that?” she whispered.

He nodded. “Maybe there’s nothing to worry about,” he suggested.

As much as she wanted to believe that, she knew too well it wasn’t likely.

Abusive men didn’t just turn over a new leaf. They always wanted to prove

that they were in control, no matter what it took. And the abuse was always

the victim’s fault.

You’re so stupid! How could you do something so stupid? Whack! Maybe

next time, you’ll think before you open up your mouth! Smack!

Larissa shivered despite the warm air as memories of the past came

rushing forward. Her stepfather had beat her mother on a regular basis, but it

wasn’t until her stepfather started beating Larissa that her mother had finally

escaped.

“Hey, what’s wrong?” Gabe whispered. “You suddenly got very pale.”

She needed to pull herself together. “Nothing. I’m fine.”

The sound of a car motor startled her, and she held her breath until the

squad car came into view. The two deputies inside looked grim.

“What happened?” Gabe asked through his open window. “Is Annie all

right?”

The two deputies exchanged a long look. “Apparently everything is all

right. Annie claims she knocked a pot of hot water off the stove and that her

burns are superficial. She’s refusing medical care. And Kurt has promised to

take care of her.”

Larissa shook her head, knowing that there was way more to the story. But

what could they do? If Annie wouldn’t come forward to testify against her

husband or come in to get medical care, they couldn’t take any action against

him.

“Sorry we bothered you,” Gabe said.

“It’s no bother,” Deputy Thomas said with a dark frown. “But it is

frustrating. At the moment, our hands are tied. Let us know if you hear

anything more.”

“Thanks,” Larissa murmured, feeling sick to her stomach. She didn’t say

anything as Gabe started up the car and drove away. She knew it would only

be a matter of time until Annie was hurt again.

The only question remaining was whether or not she’d survive the next

attack.

____________

Gabe glanced over at Larissa, who’d been unusually quiet during the ride

back to his place. “How about some steaks on the grill?” he offered.

Her eyebrows rose in surprise, and he mentally braced himself for

rejection. “Actually,” she said slowly, “that sounds wonderful.”

Despite his intent to keep Larissa in the friendship category, he was

thrilled that they’d be spending the evening together. He assumed that Larissa

didn’t want to be alone, and he couldn’t blame her, especially since he knew

she was as depressed as he was about Annie’s situation.

But he was glad all the same.

“I hope you don’t mind if I stop at a grocery store,” he said. “I need to pick

up something to go along with the steaks.”

“Sounds good. I’d be happy to pay for salad fixings,” she offered.

“I’ll pay for the salads,” he said firmly as he executed a U-turn in the road

to head back toward town. A few minutes later, he pulled into the parking lot

of the local grocery store.

He helped her out of the car, once again distracted by her vanilla scent. He

quickly pulled her crutches out of the back seat and handed them to her.

“Ready?” he asked.

“Of course,” she said, swinging into a crutch walk like a pro.

He grabbed a basket and followed her to the produce section. “Oooh, the

tomatoes look delicious,” she gushed.

He grimaced. “If you like tomatoes.”

Her jaw dropped in mock horror. “You don’t like tomatoes? How is that

possible? Everyone likes tomatoes!”

“I don’t,” he said with a wry grin. “But help yourself. Do you like

cucumbers?”

“Of course, what’s not to like?”

“What about salad dressing?” he asked when they’d filled the basket with

veggies. “I have ranch dressing at home, but if you want something else,

that’s fine.”

“I love ranch dressing, so I’m good.”

Ridiculous to be pleased that they had some tastes in common. They made

their way over to the checkout lines, and he I ignored the surprised glances in his direction as he paid for the groceries. It was a little late now to be worried

about the gossip mill, considering he’d already attended church with Larissa.

After the way Rebecca had ruined his reputation at Madison, he’d tried to

avoid attracting attention here in Crystal Lake. He hadn’t been seen with a

woman before now.

But there was no denying that he’d been living a lonely existence. And

what was the harm of picking up veggies for dinner with Larissa? He didn’t

care what people said about him outside the hospital. As long as his

reputation within the Emergency Department remained untarnished, he was

fine.

The drive back to his house didn’t take long. Once inside, Larissa took

over the kitchen. “I’ll make the salads,” she said, running the veggies under

water to clean them. “You can grill the steaks.”

“Yes, ma’am,” he teased as he pulled the steaks out of the fridge, where

he’d been marinating them all afternoon. The fact that he’d planned on

having dinner with Larissa all along made him pause for a moment.

Was he really considering breaking his cardinal rule against dating co-

workers?

No, he wasn’t. He couldn’t afford to do anything that might jeopardize his

career. They were friends, that’s all. And friends could certainly share dinner

on occasion. Not a big deal.

He glanced up from the grill when Larissa came out through the patio

doors, his breath catching in his throat at the pretty sight she made with her

flowery skirt, her pink top and the soft smile that tugged at her mouth as she

dropped into one of the deck chairs. “Salads are ready whenever you are,”

she announced. “And don’t worry, nary a tomato to be found in yours. Mine,

of course, is loaded with them.”

His response was strangled in his throat, and he had to pull himself

together with an effort. “Sounds great,” he finally managed. “And how do

you like your steak?” he asked, trying to find his balance even as his thoughts

raced. How had this suddenly turned into a date?

“Medium-rare,” she said. “And let me guess, you’re the kind of guy who

likes your meat to moo at you.”

He couldn’t help but laugh. “Not me, I like my steaks medium-rare, too.”

They ate out on his deck, overlooking the lake, and he couldn’t remember

ever enjoying a meal more. When the sun set over the horizon and the

mosquitoes came out, they reluctantly went inside. Since Larissa was on crutches, he brought all the dirty dishes in and set them on the counter. She

tried to start the dishes, but he shooed her away. “I have a dishwashing

machine, there’s no reason for you to do them.”

“All right,” she agreed. “It’s time for me to head home, anyway. Thanks

for dinner, Gabe.”

“You’re very welcome,” he said huskily. As much as he didn’t want her to

leave, he knew that it would be best for him if she did. He was already far too

aware of her. And far too comfortable around her. “Do you need help getting

out to the car?”

“Hey, I’m a pro with these things by now,” she said, propping the crutches

beneath her arms. “Although you were right about the fact that crutch

walking isn’t as easy as it looks. My arms are already tired and sore from one

measly day.”

He knew exactly what she meant. “You’ll get used to it after a few days.”

“I hope so.”

He held the door open for her so she could make her way outside. The ride

back to her apartment didn’t take long, another novelty of living in Crystal

Lake compared to Madison. All the streets in Madison led to the capitol,

which made traffic a total nightmare every day.

“Are you working tomorrow?” Larissa asked, breaking into his thoughts.

“Yes, are you?”

“No, I’m off one more day.” Was that a flash of disappointment in her

features? It was difficult to tell in the dim light. For a moment, he considered

asking one of his colleagues to cover for him so they could spend another day

together.

Bad idea, he told himself. Really bad idea. Besides, he’d see her the

following night.

He tried to find a neutral topic. “If your ankle isn’t better, get in to see

your doctor. I still think you might need that MRI.”

“I will,” she promised.

He pulled into the parking lot of her apartment building and shut off the

car so he could help her out. Of course, being Larissa, she was already trying

to get out on her own.

Trying not to roll his eyes, he hurried around to assist. She attempted to

pivot on one foot and teetered to the side.

“I’ve got you,” he said, catching her before she could fall against the door.

Her small frame fit into his arms perfectly, and suddenly, he didn’t want to let her go.

“Thanks,” she said breathlessly, her face buried against his chest.

He stood, fighting against the desire to wrap his arms around her, drawing

her even closer. But then she pulled back a bit and tipped her head to look up

at him. And he couldn’t seem to help himself.

He lowered his mouth to capture hers in a tender kiss.

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