Romance on the Edge 01 - Hooked

boots. Sand yes, small pieces of gravel maybe, but not a rock.
    “Have you seen this before?” He held the rock for Sonya.
    She shook her head. “No.”
    “I can’t find a bullet. I think your window was shot out with this.”
    “How? There wasn’t a drift boat close enough to throw that small of a rock with enough force to break a window.”
    “They could if they used a slingshot.”

C HAPTER F IFTEEN
    This whole situation was surreal. Sonya rubbed at her temple as her headache built.
    “We’re probably reading more into this than there is,” she said. “If that rock broke my window, it was probably an accident. Someone target practicing while their net soaked.” That was easier to swallow than someone intentionally shooting at her .
    “That’s one possibility. After the trouble you’ve already experienced, I’m inclined to think the worst. So should you.” Garrett carefully enclosed the rock in a plastic bag and put it in his pocket. He tore off the latex gloves and then took her hands in his, being careful of her cuts. “Sonya, I don’t want anything more to happen to you.”
    He wasn’t the only one. She didn’t want anything to happen to her either. His eyes traveled over her face. She’d yet to look in the mirror. Wanda had reassured her that the cuts would heal without leaving scars, except for maybe the one on her cheek. The cut at her hairline was a definite, but her hair would hide it. She wasn’t vain, at least no more than the next woman, but she knew when she had a moment to look in the mirror, she’d give into the tears she’d held at bay all afternoon. The longer this day lasted the harder it was to hold them back.
    Something must have shown in her eyes for Garrett’s expression changed from determined lawman to something softer, kinder, and certainly more of an emotional threat. Especially considering her current condition.
    “Seeing you hurt today…” He swallowed and slowly blinked, obviously having trouble getting across what he wanted to. That alone, made her want to lean toward him. If he kept this up, she’d beg to be held and comforted, totally destroying the tough-girl image she’d cultivated. “You aren’t just another victim, Sonya. You matter to me.”
    Ah, hell. Why did he have to go and say that? A sniff was the first thing to betray her. Damn it, the tears would come next if she didn’t do something fast. “Garrett—”
    “Don’t say anything. You’ve had a rough day.” He smoothed a strand of hair behind her ear. “When you’re feeling better we can—oh shit, don’t cry.”
    “Then quit being so damn nice to me.” She swiped at the tears and winced as she hit the butterfly-stitched cut. Her head pounded and if she didn’t get these tears stopped, she’d be in real trouble.
    Garrett grabbed a paper towel off the roll she kept near the small sink, and carefully wiped at the tears that wouldn’t stop. “Everything will be okay. I’ll make sure of it.”
    She cracked a laugh, though it caused her head to ache further. “You can’t promise that.”
    “I’m good at my job, Sonya. I’ll find this asshole.” His steady stare told her he believed every word he said.
    “When you do, I want a few minutes alone with him.” She’d take pleasure in getting her hands on the man who thought he could mess with her and hers.
    Garrett chuckled. “Until then, let’s get you in bed with some pain pills.”
    “Sounds like heaven.” She shut her eyes, just thinking of the bliss checking out would be.
    “Who do you want me to call to pilot the boat to tender your fish?”
    Crap, she couldn’t totally check out until they’d finished tendering. “Wes, he’s had the most time at the wheel.” Tendering took a bit of finesse, but in her condition she was smart enough to realize that Wes would be the better man for the job.
    “All right. I need to leave, but I’ll check in with you later.” He seemed reluctant to go, but he needed to.
    Already Sonya knew the gossip mill had to be buzzing with the Calypso tied to her boat. Hell, right now anyone could see inside the Double Dippin’ , and Garrett stood too close to her.
    Word had gotten out about her connection to Garrett. She didn’t know how, but she’d felt ostracized from the small community of fishermen fishing with them today.
    She had a feeling her troubles were just beginning.

    Garrett boarded the Calypso , where Judd and Skip waited for him. He quickly filled them in on what