“Is Miss Clarkston a client?”
“Yes.”
The sheriff pursed his lips. “Whatever investigating you’re having done, Ms. Clarkston, do you think it could make someone mad enough to try and run you over with their car?”
Sophie shrugged. “I can’t imagine anyone wanting to hurt me, Sheriff, for any reason.”
Mr. Garrison dressed Sophie’s arm and then turned his attention to his son’s skin tears.
Sheriff Dalton slipped his notepad back into his shirt pocket. “Well, there’s not much to go on. But I’ll ask around. Maybe somebody saw the make and model or got some of the license plate numbers.” He crossed the room. “If either of you think of anything that might be helpful, you know where to get in touch with me.”
As the sheriff slipped out the door, he was almost knocked over by a person trying to shove him aside.
“Cain!” The woman burst into the room. “I just heard. Are you okay? I can’t believe you jumped in front of a car. Are you crazy?”
She ran her hands over Cain’s shoulders and down his arms, obviously checking for injuries. Her fingers cradled his chin and she grimaced at the scrape across his cheek. Her touch seemed possessive, familiar.
His wife? Girlfriend?
The tiniest twinge of jealousy stabbed at Sophie and her eyes widened in surprise.
Jealous? Over a man she’d just met? Couldn’t be.
No, the twinges of envy nagging at her were because he had someone to care about him and she didn’t.
She loved her father, but their nomadic lifestyle had robbed her of the opportunity to make any long, lasting friendships or date anyone more than once or twice. It had been a very lonely existence. And now that her father had vanished she found herself facing what she feared the most—being totally alone in the world.
“Were you hurt?” The woman tilted Cain’s face up. “You’re going to have a shiner, all right. You idiot. You could have been killed.”
“That’s enough, Holly,” Mr. Garrison said. “Cain’s been through enough today.”
Sophie quietly studied the woman. She wore blue jeans and a pink T-shirt. Her hair circled her face in tight brown curls. She was a pretty girl and appeared to be about Sophie’s age.
Cain removed the woman’s hands from his face and stood up. He towered about six inches over her. “I’m fine, Holly. Calm down. How did you find out so fast, anyway?”
“Mrs. Gleason told Mrs. Summit who told Mac who came in the diner and told me.”
Cain shook his head from side to side. “Small towns,” he muttered under his breath.
Sophie shifted in her seat. The movement caught the woman’s attention. “Who’s this?” she asked, directing her question to Cain but not taking her eyes off Sophie.
“Hi. I’m Sophie. I’d offer to shake your hand but mine is covered with antibiotic cream.” Sophie held her hand up.
“This is our newest client,” Cain said. He turned his head and grinned at Sophie. “This is my sister, Holly.” He inclined his head toward the licenses hanging on the office wall. “And my partner.”
Sister? Partner? Sophie grinned. Not wife or girlfriend? Isn’t that interesting. And she found herself wondering why the knowledge that Cain was single made her feel all warm and fuzzy.
“Your brother saved my life,” Sophie said. “I’m shuddering just thinking about how much he plans to bill me for services above and beyond the norm.”
Holly grinned and hopped up on the edge of the desk. “Nice to meet you. Sorry for the way I burst in the door. It’s just…”
“Don’t sweat it. I understand. I’d be upset, too, if my brother jumped in front of a moving car. If I had a brother, that is.”
“So, who’s the dude with the lead foot?” Holly asked. “Ex-boyfriend? Ex-husband? Current husband?”
“Holly, knock it off,” Cain chided.
“What? She must have hired you for something that made somebody mad. It’s a logical conclusion.”
Mr. Garrison laughed out loud. “Holly and the word logic in the same sentence? Wait until I tell your mother.” He closed the first aid kit and headed for the door. “Will you be coming over for dinner, son? You know as soon as your mother gets wind of this she’s going to be all over me for answers.”
Cain shook his head. “Sorry, Dad. Holly can fill her in. I’m going to run Sophie home.”
“That’s not necessary,” Sophie interjected. “My car is parked across the street.”
“Don’t worry about your car. My sister can drive it out first thing in the morning. I’ll follow her and we’ll ride back to town together.”
“But I can drive…”
“Sure you can,” Cain said. “But it is southern hospitality to make sure a young lady gets home in one piece…particularly after she hired you to work for her and then almost got run down right in front of your place of business. Besides, do you really want to grip a steering wheel with scraped hands?”
Sophie paused for a moment and looked at the three people staring at her. For the first time in weeks, she didn’t feel alone. They were going to help her. Suddenly the heavy weight she’d been carrying felt lighter.
“Thanks, Cain. Holly. Mr. Garrison.” A warm glow washed over her from head to toe.
Mr. Garrison nodded and slipped out the door.
Sophie was too stubborn to offer up the silent prayer of gratitude that rested on the tip of her tongue. She was still mad at God. Sometimes she thought she always would be. But a little voice inside her head told her He already knew her heart.
“So, you’re our new client.” Holly gave her the once-over. “Please tell me you didn’t hire us to follow a cheating husband. Someone as pretty and sweet as you shouldn’t be married to a no-account.”
Sophie laughed. “I’m not married.” The smile fell from her lips. “I hired your firm to investigate my missing father.”
“Your father? Wow, that stinks. When did he disappear?”
“Two weeks ago.”
“And the police?”
“They didn’t find anything useful.” Sophie sighed. “I’m sorry, Holly. I really don’t feel up to going over all of it again.” She pressed her fingers to her forehead and rubbed little circles against her skin in an attempt to stop the pounding. “Cain has all the information. Would you mind terribly if I let him fill you in?”
“Sure. What am I thinking? I’m the one who needs to apologize. You almost got run over. I’d say that’s more than enough to deal with for one day.” Holly rummaged in the first aid kit and then held out two pills and a glass of water. “Here. This should help with that headache.”
“Thanks.”
“Don’t worry,” Cain assured her. “All you need is a good night’s sleep.” He cupped her elbow and helped Sophie to her feet. “C’mon, let’s get you home.”
As Sophie stood, her stomach growled loudly enough to draw attention. Her cheeks flamed with embarrassment and Holly and Cain laughed.
“Sounds like you could use a good, hot meal.” Holly spoke to Cain as she headed for the door. “I’ve gotta run. I left Phil in charge of the diner and you know