Page 5 of Protected By the Mountain Man

Pushing open my door, I don’t even get a leg out before I’m talking. “I’m sorry about Felix. I heard at work. They said he’s going to be okay.”

Maneuvering all the way out of the car, I find Granger staring at me in confusion.

“I went to school with him. Felix. And prom.”

His eyes widen then a flicker of what could be recognition flashes but I don’t give him a chance to guess.

“Brooke. I’m Brooke Parker.”

“Brooke…” He shakes his head, a smile forming on his lips. “I didn’t recognize you.”

“Yeah, losing the braces and acne changed a lot.” I want to slap myself for bringing up my awkward teen years; instead I paste on a smile and continue with my verbal diarrhea. “Shall we get this done? I’m sure you want to get back to what you were doing… Oh god! I’ve taken you away from Felix.”

“Riley is with him. I was on my way home to get some things sorted. I’ve got time to help you with this.”

I believe him, but it doesn’t stop guilt from slithering through my veins. “Then let’s get this done quickly.”

Before he can comment, I spin on my heel and march toward the building that houses the police department. There’s a lot of activity, officers coming and going, and I can see quite a few people milling around down the street.

Sticky-beaks?

Probably. Winter Lake isn’t known for violence. Especially guns. Unless it’s hunting season and even then it’s higher up in the mountains, not right in the middle of town, and it definitely isn’t people being shot.

Granger manages to get around me and open the door. I give him a smile of thanks before stepping inside and as the warmth surrounds me, I take a deep breath.

I can do this. I will do this.

“Hey, Sarah, Asha in?” Granger asks over my shoulder before I can speak to the woman sitting behind the counter.

“Yeah, in his office. Let me buzz you through.” Her hand goes beneath the counter and the door to our right emits a buzz that makes me jolt. “You know the way,” she adds with a smile.

“Sure do. Thanks.”

Granger presses his large hand to the small of my back and urges me forward. Propping open the door, he allows me to go first, but I have no idea where I’m going. I’ve never been inside this police station. With gentle pressure on my lower back, he steers me to the right.

“You doing okay?”

I glance up, see Granger frowning down at me, and force a smile. “Yes. I am. Even if I think this is a waste of time and won’t change anything right now, I know doing it is the right thing.”

“It is. Especially now you have a witness.”

“Yes. Thank you for that.”

“Of course.” He gets a half smirk that has a cold chill rolling through me. “Although I wish I’d been quicker. Would have been nice to punch someone after what happened today.”

I smile. I know I shouldn’t be pleased by the idea of Granger punching my ex, but I am. It’s been a long time since I’ve had someone in my corner other than Nan. “I would like to have seen that.”

“We’ll pretend I did it then. Make us both feel better.” His smirk has turned into a full smile that makes my tummy flip and my cheeks heat. Ignoring my reactions, I let him lead me down the hallway until we arrive at an open door.

Chief Yunker is hunched over his desk, files and photos spread out all over it. His head snaps up when Granger clears his throat.

“Hey.” Standing straight, he comes around his desk, his gaze bouncing between us. “I wasn’t expecting you tonight,” he finally says, gaze back on the man beside me.

Shaking hands, Granger says, “I’m here as a witness. For Brooke. She’s being harassed by her ex boyfriend.

The change in the chief is instant. He loses his friendly demeanor and his eyes turn sharp. Assessing. “Let’s go to an interview room and you can tell me everything.”

Leading us back down the hall to a closed door, the chief pushes it open and ushers us in. Once we’re all seated at the table, him on one side, me and Granger on the other, he folds his hands in front of him and locks his gaze on mine.