She gave him a soft smile that made Eric’s heart ache. “You’re welcome.”
“Are you okay?”
She reached over, touched her hand to his arm. “I’m fine.”
His face crumpled. “I thought … I thought you weredead. That man shoved you into the street. You fell hard, and the car …”
Eric tried to reassure him. “She was knocked out, but she’s fine, buddy.”
“Truly, I’m okay.”
Some of the distress left Bear’s face.
“How did it make you feel when Victoria came to help you?” Joe asked Bear.
Bear looked into Victoria’s eyes. “Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.”
Joe looked over to Victoria. “Do you still think you did nothing?”
Victoria blinked back tears. “I guess not.”
Joe picked up his champagne. “Are you sure you don’t want any, Bear?”
Bear frowned, shook his head. “Demon’s drink.”
The band was just finishing a song, so Joe waited till the applause faded, then stood. “Can I have everyone’s attention?”
Silence fell over the place.
“Last week, a visitor to our town came close to being killed while trying to defend one of our own—Bear—from a group of bullies. That visitor, Victoria Woodley, doesn’t want us to make a big deal out of what she did. That’s just the kind of person she is. She doesn’t even remember what happened. Let’s all raise our glasses in thanks. Victoria, you’ll always have a place here in Scarlet. To Victoria!”
Shouts rang out through the pub.
“To Victoria!”
Eric raised his glass. “To you, my angel.”
Tears ran down Victoria’s cheeks now. “Thanks. You’re all so sweet.”
Joe turned toward the band. “Hit it!”
The Mudbugs’ lead singer spoke into his mic. “This is for you, Victoria.”
Then the band broke into a Cajun rendition of Sam & Dave’s “I Thank You.” Those who knew the song laughed and began to sing along.
“Dance with me?” Eric asked.
“I would love to.” She stood, gave Bear a hug, then followed him onto the dance floor, her hand in his.
As he took her into his arms and started leading, Eric would have given anything to freeze time and make the night last forever.
* * *
Vic ranher hands over Eric’s bare chest, his arms bracketing her on the bed, his body raised up above hers. “I like it this way the best.”
“Really?” He thrust into her again, slow and deep. “Why?”
She tried to find the words, distracted by the hard feel of him inside her. “I like to see your body move. I like to feel your strength. I like to feel overpowered by you.”