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“Are you hungry?” Belle asked.
“I could use a cup of tea, and maybe some crackers.”
“Coming right up.” Belle glanced at the clock on the wall. She was past quitting time, but it didn’t matter anymore. This was why she’d gone into medicine. To help women like this.
Because I couldn’t save my mother.
Rounding the corner, she dug in her pocket for her credit card.
“Good evening.” The deep voice rumbled, sending a bolt of lust through her body. She snapped her head up to find the sheriff in a pair of jeans that clung to his muscular thighs and a T-shirt that said “Seaview Construction” across his broad chest.
“Like what you see?” He chuckled, and her cheeks flushed hot.
“Are you stalking me now?” she hissed.
His brow furrowed and he held up his hands as if to placate her. “Darlin’, I’m the man who catches the criminals, and from what I can tell, the only crime being committed here is that scowl across your beautiful face.”
Heat flooded over her. Her head rang as she tried to form a sentence that made sense enough after a response like that. Irritation prickled her skin. “Why are you here, then?” She crossed her arms over her chest.
His eyes dropped before flicking back to her gaze, his sky-blue spheres darkening.
“Katy called about a DV situation.”
Right. My patient. Brynn had made it very clear she didn’t want to talk to the cops, something she had in common with the woman.
Belle held out her hand and shook her head. “You wasted a trip, officer. My patient doesn’t want to press charges or report anything.”
He sighed, the concern on his face seemingly genuine. “Let me at least try.”
“I can’t allow you in there. She’s already refused.”
“Will she speak with a female officer?” Bently’s eyebrows came together to form a triangle.
Belle shook her head. “No.”
His fists clenched at his side. Belle took a step back from him. Was he violent?
“I hate these calls,” he said as if sensing her fears and offering up an explanation.
“She’s agreed to use our resources. She’s going to leave the situation. But really, what could you do for her?”
“I could arrest the son of a bitch who thought it was okay to put his hands on a woman,” he said, his voice rising.
His answer earned a little respect from her, but she wouldn’t let him know that. “Would it stick? If it’s his first offense, he might get a pass or minimal time in jail. What if he’s got money? He could pay his way out to make this all disappear.”
“So, we should do nothing? We shouldn’t even try? Is that what you’re saying?” he growled, anger emanating off him in waves.
“No, what I’m saying is every situation is unique. We can’t help someone who isn’t ready to help themselves. I’ll make sure she gets counseling and a safe haven. I’m trained with how to deal with these types of situations. I’m a SANE nurse.”
Bently just stared at her, the corner of his eyes wrinkling as he studied her.
“A SANE nurse—you know, a Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner.”
“I know what that is.”
“Okay. Well, even you have to admit that the system isn’t very good at helping victims. She has to have her reasons for fearing for her life and not making a report. My money is on her survival instincts. She did the hard part already, by leaving. Now I’ll get her the support she needs to stay gone.”
He ran a hand over his face, and sighed, drawing her attention to his overgrown five o’clock shadow. God, that was sexy.
