He strode over to where she was still sitting, then he drew her up and straight into his arms.
“I’ll give you two a minute,” Ed said.
She didn’t even notice the sheriff leaving. She was too engrossed in the feel of Linc holding her tight. He rocked her gently.
“Jesus, teeny. You scared the shit out of me.”
Her eyebrows rose. It was unlike Linc to swear in front of her. But she could hear the fear in his voice. Now she felt even worse.
“You okay? Please tell me you’re okay?”
She was glad for her high-necked sweater. She hadn’t had time to check if there was any evidence of Tiger choking her.
“I’m fine. I promise.”
You should tell him the truth.
“Mostly.”
He growled, tightening his arms around her. “Damn it. Damn it.” He gently let go of her then he arranged the chairs so they faced each other.
“Sit. Please.”
He sat as well, his thighs on either side of hers, trapping her. But she didn’t feel scared. A bit worried maybe. Definitely guilty.
“I’m so sorry, Linc. You shouldn’t have come in. Really. I’m all right.”
“I shouldn’t have?” He raised both eyebrows.
“You look tired. I know you’re busy. I’m so sorry you had to drive all the way in here.”
“That so?” he drawled, giving none of his thoughts away.
“Yes.” She licked her lips. Was he going to say anything more? “Are you okay?”
“Not sure. That’s a loaded question. Tell me, did you have any intention of calling me?”
“Calling you?”
“Yes. Ed said he found you walking along the side of the road, in the dark, no jacket and a backpack on. He said that you were trembling, upset, that clearly something had happened.”
Drat Ed anyway.
“He’s a big old tattletale.”
“Did you just call Ed a tattletale? Marisol, this isn’t a joke. This is serious.”
Oh, she didn’t like him calling her by her full name.
He gave her a stern look. “What were you planning on doing if Ed wasn’t there? Would you have called me then? Or were you planning on walking all the way into town, in the dark and cold? Would you have called me when you got to town? The next morning? At all?”
His voice was cold. Hard. She’d never heard him sound like that. Or look this way. He could be firm. Even stern. But nothing like this.
“You’re angry with me,” she whispered, wringing her hands together. She didn’t like that he was so upset with her. Unlike Rosalind, his anger ran icy cold rather than fiery hot.
She guessed at least he wasn’t yelling at her. She wasn’t sure what she would do if he did that.
“I’m upset with you. Do you know why?”