She winced. “Thanks. Can I sit up?”
Wordlessly, he helped her into a seated position and held her by the shoulders. “How do you feel?” Concern colored those deep eyes.
She brought her fingertips to her cheek and felt the heat pumping off of what had to be some serious nastiness. “I’ve felt worse.” He had a scar through one dark eyebrow and the slightest crinkles around his eyes. His very fit right forearm was completely covered in an sleeve tattoo.
“That was a very brave, very stupid thing you did, taking on a guy that size.” He smiled again.
“It’s not the stupidest thing I’ve done today.”
“You guys all right, Luke?”
Harper stopped staring at him long enough to notice the crowd that surrounded them.
“We’re fine.” He turned back to Harper. “Think you can stand up?”
She nodded, moderately pleased when her head didn’t snap off of her neck with the motion. He slid his hands under her arms and gently lifted her to her feet. The crowd broke into spontaneous applause.
“About time someone put that asshole in his place,” someone cackled, and the rest of the crowd laughed.
“Jesus, Luke, what did you do now?” A gorgeous raven-haired beauty in a denim skirt and a Remo’s embroidered polo weaved her way through the spectators.
“Don’t get all pissy with him, Soph.” A deputy stepped forward. “He didn’t start it, but one of them broke Glenn’s nose.”
Harper glanced down and noticed the split knuckles on her hero’s right hand.
“There’s enough witnesses for him to spend a few nights in jail even if Gloria doesn’t press charges this time,” he continued.
The woman hooted and grabbed Luke for a smacking kiss. “Mom is going to be so proud.”
Luke rolled his eyes, hands still steadying Harper.
The brunette turned to Harper. “And what were you, collateral damage?”
“Are you kidding?” The deputy laughed. “I was pulling in when I saw her jump on his back with blood in her eye. She went Xena Warrior Princess on his ass before he got in a lucky shot and Luke took him down,” the deputy said.
“That settles it,” she pointed at Luke and Harper. “You two are drinking for free tonight.” The crowd erupted into cheers.
“Hey, what about me?” the deputy mock pouted. “I handcuffed him.”
“Ty, you’ll get your reward after your shift.” She tugged him in for a hard kiss on the mouth and grinned up at him. “Don’t forget to pick up eggs on your way home.”
“Yeah, yeah,” he sighed. “I’ll hold you to that reward. Well, I’m gonna run this asshole by the ER on the way to jail.” He winked and headed back to his squad car. Glenn was slumped over in the back seat. Ty slid behind the wheel. “See y’all later.”
He flipped on the lights as he peeled out of the lot to the delight of the crowd.
She tossed her dark curls rolled her eyes heavenward. “That’s my husband,” she sighed. “So, Tough Girl. Got a name?”
“Harper.”
“I’m Sophie. Welcome to Benevolence, Harper. How about some ice for that face?”
CHAPTER TWO
Sophie set Harper up with some Ibuprofen, ice, and an impromptu doctor’s visit in the ladies’ room.
“Okay, Harper, I’m thinking you may have escaped a concussion. You are very lucky,” Trish Dunnigan said, leaning in to check Harper’s pupils one more time. “I’d like to see you tomorrow morning though. I don’t think your arm is broken, but it could be a hairline fracture. Same with the ribs. You need an X-ray.”
“Oh, I won’t be here tomorrow. I’m just passing through.”
“All right, then make sure you see your primary care doctor ASAP.”
Harper nodded, knowing that that wasn’t going to happen.
“Thanks for the house call, doc,” Sophie said, leaning against the vanity.
“No problem. I was in the neighborhood getting some takeout. Happy to help.” She waved on her way out the door.
“Sorry to be so much trouble,” Harper said from under the ice pack.
“Are you kidding? You’re a hero. Glenn has been wailing on that poor Gloria since high school.”
Harper sighed. “What a dick.”
“You got that right.” Sophie leaned towards the mirror to apply a fresh coat of lipgloss. “So what’s your story? I know you’re not from around here.”
Harper sighed. “It’s a long story. Let’s just say I caught my boyfriend-slash-boss in a compromising position with a delivery girl today and stormed off with nothing but my car keys.”