Chapter 16

CHAPTERSIXTEEN

A month later, Khloe could hardly believe how much her life had changed. It felt as if everything was moving so quickly, but she was thrilled with the way things had been going.

Rocky devoted all his time to renovations, with help from Ethan, so she was able to open her emergency clinic almost two weeks ago. She’d already had several customers. Being open from eight at night until six in the morning meant she didn’t have a steady stream of clients coming through the doors, but those she did have, she knew she was making a difference in the lives of their pets.

She didn’t spend every night at the clinic. Afton and the other vet techs she’d hired were responsible for manning the desk. When emergencies came in, they called her if she wasn’t already there.

She’d cut back her hours at the library, which made her sad, but it was inevitable. When she worked at the clinic, Raid dropped her off after they ate dinner together, and then came back to pick her up in the morning. He’d take her back to his house, they’d eat breakfast together, and she’d lie down to get some sleep. Sometimes he joined her and they made love before he left for work, and other times he simply hung out in bed next to her reading before he’d leave to start his day.

She got up around noon and headed into the library to work a few hours with Raid—and the new assistant he’d hired—then they’d head out. They frequently spent time with one of their friends, or they’d go on a short hike to get some exercise.

Raid and the rest of the SAR team were still on edge, watching and waiting for Garcia to make his move, but so far they hadn’t seen hide nor hair of the man. Khloe knew it was too early to hope he’d crawled back under the rock he’d come from, never to be heard from again, but she did so anyway.

Jason and Scott had disappeared for a while as well, and the few weeks they’d been gone had been some of the best of Khloe’s life. She was able to relax for the first time in a very long while and enjoyed all the time she got to spend with Raid.

Duke was back to his pre-surgery self and as tourist season got into full swing, the Eagle Point Search and Rescue team was being called out more frequently to find lost hikers.

Because things had been going so well, Khloe wasn’t prepared to literally run right into Jason and Scott Mather when she left the library one day, heading across the square to grab a much-needed cup of coffee from Grinders and a cinnamon roll from Finley’s bakery that she’d promised to save for her.

“Well, well, well,” Jason said with a sneer as he stared at her with a mean look in his eye. “If it isn’t Fallport’s newest veterinarian. Kill anyone’s dog lately?”

Taking a deep breath, Khloe did her best to ignore the big bully. She walked past The Cellar, which was currently closed, and crossed Cedar Street, heading past the barber shop.

Art, Silas, and Otto were sitting in front of the post office, as usual, and they looked up as she neared.

“She thinks ignoring us will make us go away,” Scott added as he trailed his older brother.

“Well, we aren’t. Alan’s making plans for you, sweetheart. And so are we. I wouldn’t get too comfortable here.”

And with that, Khloe was done. D-O-N-E. She hadn’t done anything to these guys. And she’d done all she could for Alan’s dog. He was the one who’d kicked her, causing the internal bleeding. He was the one who couldn’t handle a woman being smarter than him. He was the one who’d tried to kill her and fucked that up as well…not that she was upset about that part.

She turned abruptly and poked Jason in the chest. He was that close to her. “Why are you still here?” she snarled.

Startled at how fast she’d turned on him, Jason took a step back and bumped into Scott, who stumbled and fell on his ass right there on the sidewalk.

“Seriously,” she said, poking Jason one more time before he stepped over his brother and out of her reach. “Look around, you aren’t welcome here. No one likes you and you’ve been banned from every single business. Hell, even Whip doesn’t want you in his pool hall, and that’s saying something because everyone knows that’s where the troublemakers in this town hang out. Your brother is an asshole. Just like you are. He tried to run me over. That’s not okay in any state or country. He’s paying the price for losing his fucking temper. If he’d just gone on with his life, he wouldn’t be in prison right now. And you coming after me, a woman who was just doing her job, makes you just as stupid as he is!”

“What did you just say?” Jason said, aggressively taking a step toward her. “You’re a little too uppity. We should’ve done what Alan wanted us to do way before now.”

Khloe realized she’d probably gone too far and stepped back—and felt someone behind her. Turning her head, she saw old man Grogan. The general store was just down from the post office, and he’d either seen or heard what was happening.

Art, Otto, and Silas had also stood up. Khloe could see Silas had their chessboard in his hand, as if he was ready to use it as some sort of weapon…not that it would be very effective.

From behind Scott and James, Khloe saw Raid coming toward them, moving fast, and Tal was exiting the barber shop where he worked.

The cavalry was coming, and it made Khloe relax a fraction.

“It’s time you moved on,” Harry Grogan said in a deep growl.

“Oh, yeah? You gonna make me, old man?” Jason asked, his hands clenching into fists.

“He might not, but I will,” another voice said from behind them. Davis Woolford.

“Me too,” Clyde Thomas said. The older man was famous in Fallport, and around this part of Virginia, for his excellent moonshine. He was also a very good friend of Caryn’s.

“You two have made fools of yourselves for long enough,” Dorothea Reese said in disgust. The senior was flanked by her three best friends, Cora, Ruth, and Clara…the four ladies were always in the beauty shop next to the post office, and they obviously couldn’t resist joining in.

Looking around, Khloe saw more and more people arriving. Neli from the used bookstore; Guy, who worked the counter in the post office; Sandra was coming across the square with Karen, one of the waitresses. Not only that, but Elsie and Zeke were running toward them from On The Rocks, with Hank and Reina—two of Zeke’s employees—close behind.

It seemed as if the residents of Fallport were as sick and tired of the Mather brothers as Khloe.

She lowered her voice and did her best to hide any trace of her annoyance. “I’m sorry about what happened,” she told Jason and Scott. “If I could’ve saved Alan’s dog, I would’ve. But she was too far gone before he brought her in.”

“You ruined his life!” Scott said. He’d gotten to his feet behind Jason.

“And you’ve been beaten with a stupid stick,” Harry Grogan said, shaking his head. “She’s not God. She can’t save every animal that’s brought to her. And she didn’t ruin your brother’s life. He did that all by himself.”

“Stay out of this, old man,” Jason warned.

“You need to leave—now!” a loud voice boomed.

Everyone’s heads turned to see Simon, the police chief, coming toward them from the grassy square.

“You can’t make me,” Jason said childishly.

“You’re right, I can’t. But you can see that you aren’t welcome. No one’s gonna tolerate your bullying and intimidation anymore. And sleeping in your truck in the hiking trail parking lots is illegal. I’m guessing the number of tickets I can give you will outlast your stubbornness. Your best bet is to go back to Norfolk and live your lives. Forget about Dr. Watts—and urge your brother to do the same.”

Khloe hadn’t realized the brothers were living in their vehicle, but she supposed she wasn’t surprised. Fallport had closed ranks…and it felt really good.

Jason glared at the huge crowd of people around him.

Khloe met Raid’s eyes. He’d stopped close to the Mather brothers but stayed silent—and she loved him all the more for it. He was letting her and the citizens of Fallport fight this battle, while still being ready in case he was needed.

It hit her then—she loved him. So much. She smiled just thinking about it.

“What are you smiling about, bitch?” Jason asked. In an obvious fit of anger and frustration, he lunged forward, hand raised.

Before he could make contact with her cheek, Harry Grogan pushed Khloe aside and knocked Jason’s hand away. A split-second later, Zeke took him to the ground, while Tal made sure Scott wouldn’t join the fray.

Khloe couldn’t do more than blink before Raid was at her side, pulling her backward several steps.

Simon sighed dramatically, if insincerely. “Now I’m going to have to arrest you for attempted assault.”

Jason howled as Zeke wrenched his arm behind his back while hauling him up from the ground.

“This is bullshit!” he yelled. “I’ve got witnesses. This man assaulted me!”

“Yeah, we’re witnesses all right!” Sandra yelled. “Of you trying to hit Khloe!”

Everyone was speaking at once, agreeing with Sandra and Simon.

“You’ll regret this!” Jason yelled at Khloe. “You better keep an eye on that dog. Wouldn’t want him to end up as dead as Alan’s!”

Khloe tensed, looking down at Duke who, of course, was at Raid’s side. It was one thing for Jason to bully her, but to threaten to hurt or kill Duke? No. Just no.

She opened her mouth to tell Jason to stay the hell away from Duke when, once again, the townspeople came to her aid.

“You touch one hair on that dog’s head, you’ll have more to worry about than Simon taking you in for a misdemeanor,” Clyde growled.

“Them’s fightin’ words,” Guy said with a shake of his head.

“Duke’s royalty around here,” Finley added. “It’s not in your best interest to be threatening him.”

“He’ll tear your face off!” Reina shouted.

Khloe heard a few chuckles at that. Duke didn’t really have a vicious bone in his body. But then, she remembered the way Duke had growled at the brothers the last time they’d confronted her behind the library, when Whip had come to her aid.

“Come on,” Simon said. “A little time in the tank will do you some good. Maybe it’ll cool you off a bit.”

“Fuck you!” Jason yelled. “And fuck all of you backwater hicks! You’ve got a killer in your midst and you don’t even care!”

“Yeah!” Scott added like an idiot, following his brother and Simon as they headed toward the police department.

The last thing she heard was Jason still yelling threats against her, Duke, Raid, and everyone else in town.

“You okay?” Raid asked in a low voice as he bent close to her ear.

Khloe thought about it for a second, then nodded. She was. That hadn’t been pleasant, not at all, confrontation wasn’t her thing, but seeing how everyone in town didn’t hesitate to race to her side when she needed them most was amazing and humbling.

She took her time in thanking everyone for coming to help with the situation, even giving out a few hugs. Khloe could tell she surprised people with her demonstrative actions, but she was done being the reclusive, standoffish woman she’d been since arriving. She had nothing to hide anymore. All her secrets were out and everyone seemed to accept her as she was.

Most people had gone back to what they were doing before the commotion, an encounter Khloe knew would be talked about for months to come and probably blown way out of proportion. Knowing how gossip worked, she wouldn’t be surprised to hear that Jason had pulled a weapon and she herself had done some sort of ninja move to knock it out of his hand and render him unconscious on the sidewalk.

Finley and Elsie had given her huge hugs and told her how strong she was and how they loved that she’d stood up to Jason. Zeke and Tal weren’t quite as effusive, but gave her supportive hugs as well.

Raid stayed by her side as she continued toward the bakery and the coffee shop. “I need that caffeine more than ever now,” she joked.

He didn’t respond to her attempt at lightening the mood.

“Raid?”

He shook his head. “That could’ve gone sideways in a heartbeat,” he said quietly, not looking at her.

Khloe waited until they’d crossed Main Street and were standing in front of the used bookstore. She stopped walking and, of course, Raid did too. She threw herself at him, and even though she’d surprised him, his arms immediately surrounded her, holding her against him.

Khloe looked up at him and said, “You’re right, it could’ve. But it didn’t.”

“I don’t like that he blatantly threatened you. Hell, he tried to hit you.”

“And I don’t like that he brought Duke into it,” she countered, looking down at Duke, who’d sat next to them when they’d stopped. “But you know what?”

“What?”

“It felt really good to stick up for myself. Bullies hate that.”

His lips twitched. “They do.”

“So we’re moving on,” she said firmly. “Maybe spending some time behind bars will make them rethink being here.”

“Maybe,” Raid said skeptically.

“I had an epiphany back there,” she told him.

“Yeah?”

“Uh-huh.” Khloe was nervous about this, but she didn’t want to keep it to herself anymore. In for a penny, in for a pound…or however that saying went. “You didn’t rush in and ferry me out of the situation. You let me say what I needed to. But you were nearby, just in case I needed you.”

“I wanted to,” Raid said. “Get you out of there, that is. But you’ve made it clear over the last year that you’re a grown woman who values her independence.”

“I am,” Khloe agreed. “And when the situation changed, when he threatened me, you were there. Making sure I was safe.”

Raid simply nodded.

“My epiphany was realizing how much I love you,” Khloe blurted. This wasn’t exactly the most romantic time or place for this conversation, but she couldn’t keep her feelings to herself. They were too big. She felt as if she was going to burst if she didn’t tell him.

“Took you long enough,” Raid retorted, but he had a huge smile on his face. “I’ve known I’ve loved you since you found me playing D&D and wanted in on the game.”

Khloe let out a small sigh of relief. Then what he said registered. “You love me?” she whispered.

“So much, I don’t even remember what my life was like without you in it.”

“Probably a lot less hectic and stressful,” she quipped.

“Boring,” he countered. Then he lifted his hands to her face, tipped it up to him, and kissed her. Hard. Right there on Main Street in plain view of anyone who happened to be walking around or looking out their windows.

At one time in her life, Khloe would’ve hated to be the center of attention, but when cars honked and people hooted and hollered as they continued to kiss, she didn’t care one whit.

When Raid pulled back, he smoothed her hair away from her face. “Not how or where I envisioned this conversation taking place,” he said ruefully.

Khloe shrugged. “It’s us. We don’t do anything the normal way.”

“True. Although I’m thinking I could do with a little less excitement than we’ve had lately.”

Khloe chuckled. “Yeah. Fewer stalkers and harassers and drug dealers hell bent on revenge lurking in the shadows.”

“Speaking of which, let’s get you off the street and grab that coffee and cinnamon roll,” Raid said.

Sighing, and wishing she’d kept her mouth shut, Khloe let Raid turn her toward the coffee shop. She fit perfectly under his arm, and she wound her own around his waist. Duke groaned as he got up and followed them.

“Khloe?” Raid said as he reached for the door.

She could smell the scent of coffee even through the door, and her mouth watered. “Yeah?”

“Tonight, I’m gonna show you exactly how much I love you, and how relieved I am that you took the first step yet again and told me how you felt.”

Khloe shivered as she looked up at Raid. She didn’t see a freakishly tall man. Didn’t see his uniquely colored hair and beard. Didn’t notice that his ears were pointier and stuck out a bit more than most people’s. All she saw was the man she loved. The man who wouldn’t hesitate to put himself between her and anything that might hurt her.

“I can’t wait,” she said with a grin.

And with that, he opened the door and urged her inside.

Yes, it was safe to say, even with everything that had happened to bring her to this spot right this moment, Khloe wouldn’t change a thing.