Total pages in book: 75
Estimated words: 76592 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 383(@200wpm)___ 306(@250wpm)___ 255(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 76592 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 383(@200wpm)___ 306(@250wpm)___ 255(@300wpm)
The officer looks at me. A flicker of sympathy passes over her features. “I’m very sorry to hear that,” she says. “What’s your name, honey?”
“Tabitha.” I clear my throat. “Tabitha Haynes.”
“Can you describe the man who attacked you?”
I give her a shaky nod, trying to remember the details of my attacker.
I don’t recall much, though. All I could think of was getting away.
“I’m afraid I don’t remember much,” I say softly.
“It’s all right,” the officer says. “Just try to recall anything you can. His height, build, hair color, the sound of his voice…”
I close my eyes, my heart pounding again as I try to piece together the fragments. “He was tall, definitely taller than I am, with a broad build. He was white. His hair… It was dark, I think, though I can’t be certain. His voice was low, rough. He smelled of alcohol.”
The officer nods as she types on her computer. “You did good. We’re going to do everything we can to find him.”
I nod, swallowing back the lump in my throat. The reality of what happened is beginning to truly sink in, and with it, the fear.
Fear of what could have happened.
Fear of what might still happen.
Fear for my safety in a city that no longer feels safe.
The officer pushes a glass of water toward me. “Are you hurt anywhere? Do you need medical attention?”
I shake my head. “No, I’m fine,” I reply, my voice trembling. I take a sip from the glass, the cool liquid soothing my dry throat.
“Okay, then,” the officer says, standing. “I’ll get this report filed. Do you have someone who can come and pick you up?”
I hesitate. My parents are too far away in Westminster, and my friends…
Well, Angie is on her honeymoon, Eli is back home for the summer in Mississippi, and I’m not really close with anyone else here in Boulder.
Lance, who’s been quietly standing beside me, speaks up. “I can take her home, Officer. I found her in the first place. I may as well make sure she’s safe.”
“Is that all right with you, Ms. Haynes?”
What am I supposed to say? I don’t know this man from Adam, but he did just save me from what could have been horrible.
I nod.
“All right, Mr. Rodriguez. That would be helpful. Thank you.” The officer gives a sympathetic smile. “Stay safe, honey, and don’t hesitate to call us if you need anything else.”
I thank her softly.
Lance and I exit the station, and I wrap my arms around myself, feeling more vulnerable than I ever have before.
“My car is a few blocks away,” he says. “That okay?”
I nod.
Not like I have any other choice.
We walk in silence until we reach his car. Lance opens the passenger door for me, and I sink into the seat with a sigh of relief. As he starts the car, I lean back, close my eyes, and try to shut out the world.
“Tabitha?”
My eyes shoot open. “What?”
“I’m going to need your address.”
“Right. Of course.” I rattle it off and then close my eyes once more.
Finally, after what feels like an eternity, we reach my apartment building. Lance kills the engine and turns to me.
“Are you sure you’re okay?” he asks.
I nod, forcing a smile onto my face. “Yes, thank you, Lance. I don’t know what I would’ve done if you hadn’t been there.”
He shakes his head. “I’m just glad I was there to help,” he says. “Will you be okay alone tonight?”
His question brings back the fear, the vulnerability. I hesitate for a moment but then give him a shaky nod. “I’ll be fine. I just need some rest.”
He seems to understand and reaches out to give my hand a reassuring squeeze. “If you need anything, don’t hesitate to call me, okay?” He hands me a card with his number. “My brother is a cop, like I said, and he can help if there’s any trouble.”
“Thank you.” I tuck the card into my pocket. His kindness is a soothing balm to my frazzled nerves.
“Tabitha…”
“Yes?”
He blushes under the moonlight. “I’d like to see you again. Maybe for coffee or something?”
I take a good look at Lance. He’s handsome, for sure. He reminds me of Stephen, my date at Angie and Jason’s wedding, though he’s more rugged than pretty boy. But he has the same coloring. Tanned skin, dark eyes. Any other time I’d probably say yes, but I’m stuck on another man.
Though that man let me go.
So what the hell?
“I’m starting an intense surgical seminar tomorrow that’s going to take up most of my time,” I say, “but maybe next weekend?”
He smiles. “The weekend would be great. I’m a software engineer, and I’m working on a pretty intense project myself this week. How about Saturday around ten? At the Starbucks by the med school campus?”
I nod weakly. “Sure.”
“Can I get your number?”