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the arm and pulled her back. Pete Kaminsky strode toward them from the dark interior of the taproom . How long had Pete been in the bar? If he'd seen Bud kissing her … J ackie was trying to think of a new way to get rid of Bud, attempting to yank her arm away without causing too much of a ru c kus.
    "Jackie," Pete said, eyeing Bud and beginning to frown. Bud tugged harshly on her arm.
    "Pete! " She turned back to Bud. "Damn it, Bud, go back to your boys!"
    Pete's voice held concern and a touch of impatience. "Is something wrong?"
    Bud pulled Jackie up against his side and turned toward the taller man. "Well," he said, his drawl thick. "If it ain't the new doc in town."
    Pete nodded. "I think the lady wants to go."
    Bud laughed and kissed the side of Jackie's face though she was trying to shove him away. "Aw, you got it all wrong, Doc. This is a lover's quarrel. Ain't no big deal. Jackie and me, we go back a long ways." He took Jackie's chin in hand and turned her face toward him. His eyes glittered dangerously. "Don't we, sweetheart?"
    "Let me go, Bud," she said, her breath coming in panicked pants. "Let me go now or I'll start screamin' the place down."
    "You heard her, Mister," Pete said, taking a step toward them. "I don't much care if she's your girl or your sister, she wants you to let go, so you do it."
    Bud hesitated, eyeing the other man, sizing him up.
    "You gonna make me?"
    Pete nodded, his face grim. "If I have to."
    "Huh." Bud let her go and gave her a little shake as he did. "You get over your mad, girl, and we'll talk this over later. You got a present for me. "
    Jackie rubbed her upper arms, wondering if there'd be bruises there later. "Go to hell."
    Bud laughed again, but it sounded harsh and forced. He gave Pete a wink. " She'll learn her place ."
    "You shit!" Jackie launched herself at him, fists flying. Bud easily subdued her, but it was Pete who pulled her off.
    "Stop it now," he told her firmly. To Bud he said, "Best leave her alone."
    "Yeah. I got better things to do. She's a frigid bitch anyway ." With a last caustic look at Jackie, Bud turned on his booted foot and went back to the table where his friends all greeted him with low voices.
    Pete let Jackie g o and her face flame d . "I…"
    He pushed dark hair back from his forehead and eyed her for a moment. "None of my business, Miss Journey. Now if you'll excuse me, I was about to have a little supper."
    She put her hand on his arm as he stepped toward the tables. "Wait. I want to explain."
    His frown was immediate. "Have you been drinking?"
    Another flush stole over her face. Maybe if she hadn't had the bourbon she'd have had better luck getting rid of Bud. "Only two shots."
    "In a woman your size," he said sternly, "that's enough to get you arrested if you get behind the wheel." Jackie's arm was sore where he took it and she winced. Without hesitation, he let her go. "I'll drive you."
    "I can drive."
    "No, you can't. Are you drunk?"
    "No! Journey's End is clear the other side of the county, Pete. You'll be near two hours getting back."
    He sighed. "Yeah, but I can't le t you go on your own and your boyfriend is drinking, too . Come on."
    "I hate Bud Ramirez," she spat, enjoying the tiny cathartic feeling she had admitting her feelings aloud. The furor in her chest subsided a bit. " My Daddy will be fit to be tied if you bring me home 'cause I been drinkin'."
    "And he should be," he told her. For a moment, he paused. "I'll take you home to my place. You can sober up and then I'll bring you back for your car."
    Jackie wanted to spend more time with Pete. He made her feel cared for. Working with him over the past week had grown her respect for him. He was appealing on so many levels. Sure, she'd been drinking, but not too much. Her faculties weren't impaired. That wouldn't stop the sheriff, though, if she got pulled over. At five feet one, you drink cautiously and with food. That had been her intention, but things had gotten away from her. Going to