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Beer?”
    â€œVodka.” She needed something stiffer than beer to face him. He looked so damn good and she was so angry. “And tonic.” She waited while he ordered for both of them.
    â€œSo,” he said, putting a few dollars of tip on the bar and picking up the drinks. “Maybe we should head over to a quiet corner?”
    â€œWhy, so we can discuss your criminal activity discreetly?” She wanted to shout it, but instead tossed the words quietly over her shoulder as she led the way to a booth tucked against the back wall and sat down on the scarred wooden bench. Todd took a seat on the other side of the table and slid her vodka toward her. She took a sip and waited. He’d asked her here—no way was she making it easy for him.
    â€œI guess it could be considered criminal. I’m sorry about your phone. I didn’t know what else to do.”
    Anger, hot and self-righteous, was almost soothing in its purity. “Really? You almost killed me out there and you want to keep talking about the phone?”
    â€œWell, it’s a start.” His eyes were deer-in-headlights wide.
    â€œI was huddled behind a rock, with the horses jumping over me inches from my head! I thought that was it. That I was going to die. And you want to talk about my phone?”
    â€œNo... I just... I’m just sorry, Nora.”
    He looked so totally miserable that she felt a grim satisfaction. Enough to soften a little. “What were you thinking?”
    He reached for her hand but she yanked it back.
    â€œIt never occurred to us...to me...that anyone would be walking out there after dark. I can’t apologize enough. We only wanted to help the horses. When I realized I’d put you in danger, I regretted the entire thing.”
    â€œYou knew it was me.” She’d wondered if that was why he’d looked more worried than surprised in his shop today.
    â€œI recognized your voice, but at first I couldn’t believe it. I couldn’t think straight.” He took a long pull of his beer but never took his eyes off her. He was still wary. Probably wondering if she’d tell the authorities what she knew.
    â€œDo you usually go around grabbing strange women in the middle of the night?”
    â€œNo! Never.” He flushed red, right over his cheekbones.
    â€œYou’re lucky I didn’t just have a heart attack on the spot. First I almost got killed, then a masked man grabbed me in the dark... It’s every woman’s nightmare.” Her voice shook a little and she cursed the emotion welling in her chest. She wasn’t here to cry. It was better to attack. “You were an idiot to follow me across the parking lot like that. A complete idiot.”
    â€œI didn’t think about how scary it would be for you. All I could think was that I didn’t want you to call the sheriff.”
    â€œWell, I can’t say as I’m surprised. You always put your causes before anything else.”
    He looked at her intently. “You’re talking about the rain forest. After college.”
    Nora hid her blush in a long swallow of the icy vodka. How could she have referred to the past like that? How could it still matter? “Well, you always were preoccupied with causes.”
    â€œI guess you’re right.” He picked up the cap from his beer bottle and rolled it in a slow circle on the tabletop. “How did you know it was me last night?”
    â€œI didn’t. Not last night. Your voice sounded familiar but I couldn’t place it. But when you walked away through the gravel... Your steps were uneven. And then today at the shop...” She wasn’t sure how to mention his disability.
    â€œYou saw me limping.” He finally met her eyes. His were dark green in the dim light. “I’m so sorry, Nora. I can’t believe that after all these years, we ran into each other like this. And that I put you in danger...and scared you. I