Chapter 15

CHAPTER FIFTEEN

Dare had always considered himself an attentive man. But the way Ainsley watched her surroundings put him to shame. Her eyes never stopped roving her environment, watching everything and everyone.

Searching for threats? The thought didn’t sit well with him. He’d asked her to come into town today to push her a little out of her comfort zone. So far, he wasn’t sure if was a good idea or not.

Dare loaded the groceries into the backseat of the truck, then tipped his head toward the plaza. “I need to grab a few things from the drug store, then we can head to the bank.”

Ainsley followed a few steps behind as he made his way into the store to pick up some toothpaste and shaving cream. After he’d grabbed what he needed, he made his way to the checkout counter and met her there. Once they’d paid for their items, Dare paused near the door, holding it wide for an older woman entering the store.

Ainsley shifted closer to him to allow the woman to pass, and he automatically settled a hand low on her back. She stiffened slightly bit didn’t pull away, and he bit back a smile as he guided her out of the store and onto the sidewalk. As soon as they were outside, he let his hand drop.

From their left, Dare watched a beige sedan slowly approach, presumably looking for an open parking spot. Bright sunlight glared off the windshield, obstructing the driver’s face. Instead of stopping and allowing Dare and Ainsley to cross, the driver continued to creep forward.

Something about the situation didn’t feel right. Every cell of Dare’s body tightened with warning, and he quickly memorized the numbers on the license plate—just in case. He grabbed Ainsley’s arm, shifting her slightly behind him as the car pulled even with them. The passenger side window had been rolled down, and alarm bells began to ring in the back of his mind.

Dare’s eyes swept over the man behind the wheel. The driver’s hooded black sweatshirt was out of place in the sweltering heat of the summer afternoon, his face obscured by a ball cap and sunglasses. Sunlight glinted off the black object as he lifted his hand toward them, and Dare’s heart stopped.

“Get down!” A loud crack broke the stillness of the calm morning just as he threw his weight into Ainsley, forcing her to the ground.

“Fuck!” He let out a terse expletive as a second crack split the air and shattered glass rained down around them.

Ainsley shifted below him, craning her neck toward the car. “Wh?—”

“Stay down!” Dare pushed her head back down, tucking her further into the protection of his large body. Tires squealed loudly as the driver took off down the row and turned sharply at the end, heading out of the parking lot. The sedan fishtailed onto the main road, heedless of oncoming traffic, and a cacophony of blaring horns filled the air.

Cries of fear and outrage rose around them, but Dare tuned them out as he shoved to his knees and dug his phone from his back pocket. His pulse thrummed as he dialed the department, and his dispatcher answered a moment later.

He didn’t give her a chance to get the full greeting out before he was speaking. “Yvonne, this is Sheriff Jensen. I need you to send all available units down to the plaza. There’s been a shooting.”

“Copy that, boss,” came her no-nonsense reply. “I’ve got them en route.”

“D-Dare…”

He glanced down at Ainsley, who had rolled to her back, her big blue eyes wide and unfocused with shock. A small gash on her forehead sullenly oozed blood and a bright red abrasion marred the right side of her face, covering part of her cheek and temple.

He shifted the mouthpiece to the side as he directed his words to her. “Don’t move. Looks like you hit your head when you fell. Does anything else hurt?”

She automatically lifted a hand to her forehead. “I—I’m not sure.” She struggled to sit up, then fell to her back once more.

“Just stay where you are,” he commanded, flicking a glance around the parking lot. “The car’s gone, but there’s glass all over the damn place.”

“Dare…”

He continued to scan their surroundings. “Yeah?”

Her features contorted into a grimace. “I think I cut my arm.”

His gaze swept over her and the phone fell from his fingers as he seized her left arm, his features twisting into a grimace at the sight of the maroon blood trickling down her bicep. “Shit!”

Glass tinkled and crunched as Dare shifted into a crouch beside her. He reached behind him and grasped the collar of his shirt, then stripped it over his head. He tied the fabric around the wound like a tourniquet, then scooped up the phone. “Yvonne, send an ambulance, too.”

He ended the call and shoved his phone into his back pocket before turning his attention back to Ainsley. “Don’t worry, looks like the bullet just grazed you.”

“ What? ” Her voice rose several octaves, fueled by indignation and bewilderment.

“Hold on, hold on.” Dare slid a hand beneath her back and levered her to a sitting position, taking extra care with her arm before placing it gently in her lap.

“Did you see?—”

Her words were cut off as a middle-aged man ran toward them. “Hey, are you all right, Sheriff?”

Dare nodded and pushed to his feet. “I think we’re both okay, just a little banged up.”

The guy scowled. “Who would do something like that?”

Unfortunately, Dare had a pretty good idea. Bending down to Ainsley, he laid a gentle hand on her shoulder. “You doing okay?”

She struggled to sit up, then shifted her body so she leaned against the building. “I’ll be fine.”

Dare captured her chin, forcing her to look at him. “Ainsley…”

She shook her head furiously, and he tamped down the frustration that swelled in his chest. He couldn’t blame her. She didn’t know him well enough to trust him. Yet.

He settled for touching her cheek, just briefly. “All right, honey. As long as you’re okay.”

His leg was starting to feel the effects of the fall and it was aching like a son of a bitch. He collapsed against the wall next to her, trying to relieve some of the pressure.

Sirens blared out on the main street, and the accompanying blue lights soon came into view as two deputies pulled into the lot and parked along the side. Moments later an ambulance turned into the lot, and the first responders made their way over to them.

Dare glanced at the paramedic. “Thanks for getting here so quick. Looks like the bullet grazed her left bicep. She hit pretty hard when we fell, so we’ll need to check for a concussion.”

“Yes, sir.” Antonio helped Ainsley to the back of the ambulance to begin his ministrations.

Deputy Evan Landry studied him. “You okay, Sheriff? You want them to take a look at your leg?”

“Nah. Just make sure she’s good.” He regarded the other man. “Car had an Illinois license plate.” He rattled off the number. “Beige, older style Chevy.”

Landry nodded. “I’ll run it as soon as I get back to the station.”

Dare made his way to the ambulance where one of the paramedics was loading Ainsley and preparing to transport her to the hospital. Antonio had removed Dare’s tee shirt from her arm and replaced it with a temporary bandage.

Dare scooped up the shirt and slipped it over his head, his jaw clenching at the sight of Ainsley’s blood streaked across the fabric. He leaned over the gurney and took her good hand in his. “They’re going to take you to the hospital.”

“Will you… meet me there?” Her voice cracked a tiny bit, and he squeezed her hand tighter. He’d originally thought she might want her privacy, but it was obvious she didn’t want to be alone.

“I’m going to ride with you if that’s okay. I’ll send someone to get my truck later.” The look in her eyes told him she’d very much prefer he ride with her, and it made his decision that much easier. Before she could say anything else, he hauled himself into the back of the ambulance and settled in next to her.