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“At the hospital, my last day, when he grabbed me in the parking lot, I used a jab and twist move and got away.”

“Good.” I make sure she’s paying attention so my next words sink in. “If you have to do it again, don’t stay. Get free and run. Far and fast.”

“I might not be able to do that.”

“Then you use whatever else Michelle teaches you to put him on the ground and then run. Call me as soon as you can. Call the police.”

That damn eyebrow goes up again. “You first, huh?”

“Okay, maybe the police first, then me.” I shrug. “If I’m not with you, I won’t be far and might be able to get to you quicker.”

“Isn’t the public works depot on the other side of town from the Lodge?”

I know she doesn’t need me to answer, but I do it anyway. “Yes. But we have work to do all over Winter Lake. Especially in the lead up to winter. I’ll be taking the jobs closest to the Lodge until we know you’re no longer in danger.”

“Can you do that? Won’t you get in trouble?”

“No.” I grin. “I’m the boss.”

“Don’t mess up your schedule for me.”

“Brooke.” I reach over and place my hand on her arm. “I will do whatever it takes to keep you safe.”

“You shouldn’t have to.”

“No. I shouldn’t. But your ex isn’t within my control. Well, not yet, but I’m sure he will be sooner than later, and when he is, I will make sure he understands you are off limits.”

“I’m scared you’re going to do something that will get you into trouble.”

Her honesty deserves the truth in return. “I can’t guarantee I won’t do that, but what I can do is promise you I won’t make the first move. If I do anything that might bring trouble to my door, it will be in your defense. I won’t attack him first.”

“But you won’t promise me you won’t end this in a deadly way.” At my raised eyebrows she goes on, “You talked about how much land you have and how easy it is to get lost out there.”

“I did. And I will not be responsible for what your ex does if he shows up here. Like you’re not responsible for what he did to your car.”

“It’s not the same thing,” she huffs as she pushes her plate away and turns to face me.

“No. It isn’t.”

“Granger. I don’t think I could live with myself if anything happened to you because of me.”

“Unless you come here with the intent to hurt you or me, then it wouldn’t be because of you.”

“I understand that. Logically. I do. But I can’t help worrying about what might happen. He went at me when I was with Michelle and⁠—”

“No offense to Michelle, but she’s not exactly scary looking and your ex would not have seen her, or any woman for that matter, as a threat. Me? All six-feet-three of solid muscle? I’m a threat. He won’t come at you with me around.”

“He’s been following me.”

“I figured.”

“I never saw him, and I was looking, Granger. Everywhere I went for the last few weeks, I’ve been looking over my shoulder, scanning my surroundings. Not once did I see him. But he knows we hugged outside the Lodge weeks ago. He thinks I’m sleeping with you, that I cheated on him with you.”

“That might explain the escalation. Does Asha know?”

“Yes. I had to go over and over what happened the last day at the hospital. The officers that came contacted Chief Yunker, and he drove to Curning to talk to me before I left work.”

“Good. That’s proof your ex is stalking you. It gives you more evidence to get a protection order.”