I tried not to cringe myself. “A little. I learned how this morning, and I’m not gonna lie…it’s rough, but then I told myself it’s a million times worse for poor Hank.”
“Yeah, I guess you’re right.” Her mouth twisted to the side. “I’d tell you to call me for moral support when you’re changing his bandages, but I don’t think I could stomach it, Carly.”
I gave her a warm smile. “Don’t worry. I’m gonna make Wyatt help.”
“I still can’t believe he’s gonna do that.”
I shrugged. “He rewrapped his leg this morning. You should have seen him. I think he picked it up faster and handled it better than I did.”
“Well,” she said, taking a step toward the back door. “Call me if you need me for anything other than bandage changing.”
“Thanks, Ruth. I will.”
She’d been keeping track of her tips during the slow times, so she quickly settled up with Tiny and put the rest of the money and receipts in Max’s office.
Max was sitting behind the bar, reading his book.
“Ruth says you offered to take me home.”
He looked up and smiled. “Yeah. I hope that’s okay with you. I guess we should have included you in that conversation.”
“Please. I’m at the mercy of people offering me rides. Far be it from me to raise a fuss. But…” I lowered my voice and leaned in closer. “Wyatt offered to pick me up and take me to Hank’s.”
The smile on his face slowly fell. “Oh. So you and he…?”
I shook my head. “There’s nothing between us, if that’s what you’re thinking. He’s keeping an eye on Hank tonight, and he made the offer because he knew I didn’t have a ride.” I wasn’t about to tell Max his brother had been run off the road. Wyatt hadn’t asked me to keep it to myself, but he also hadn’t reported it to the sheriff. Although it was plenty possible it was a deputy who’d tried to kill him, I suspected there was another explanation. “And after Seth’s murder, I guess he’s concerned about me being out late by myself or with just Ruth.”
A shadow crossed his face. “Damn. He’s right. I should have thought of it sooner.”
“Why should you have?” I said in dismay. “I’m only telling you because I still want you to bring me home, if you don’t mind. After Dwight showed up tonight, well, I’m worried he might take out his frustrations on Hank.”
“I agree,” he said. “That’s a possibility, but I’m far more worried about you. Dwight moved to Greeneville for a spell because he beat his girlfriend, and her daddy ran him out of town. He’s far more likely to take his frustrations out on you. I’d feel better driving you, which is one of the reasons I sent Ruth home.”
“So I don’t put her in danger.”
His eyes hardened. “You’re not puttin’ her in danger, Carly. The asshole who killed Seth is. And Dwight.” He lowered his voice. “It occurred to me that Dwight could have killed Seth. What if he thinks you saw something and part of the reason he’s on the warpath against you is to keep you quiet?”
“Maybe…” But I didn’t think so. For one thing, I’d heard the voices of all three of Seth’s attackers. Dwight wasn’t a match, although he could be the driver.
“You know you don’t have to stay at Hank’s,” he said carefully. “I have a spare bed upstairs. You could stay with me tonight. Dwight wouldn’t dare try anything with me here.”
I considered it. I didn’t think this was a thinly veiled attempt to put the moves on me, and Max wouldn’t have to make a thirty-minute round trip if I stayed. But I needed to relieve Wyatt from his watch duty, and I didn’t have any of my things with me. Not to mention I would need to get back to Hank’s early in the morning to change his dressing. “Max, I really appreciate the offer, and if it weren’t for Hank I’d do it, especially since I hate putting you out … Does Tiny live out that way? I can see if I can get a ride with him.”
“Carly, don’t you worry about the drive,” he said with a good-natured smile. “I’ll just take you out to Hank’s. It’s no big deal.”
“Thanks, Max. I’m going to call Wyatt and let him know.”
“Sounds good. You can use the phone in the office, if you like.”
Wyatt answered on the first ring.
“Everything okay?” he asked when he answered the phone.
“How’d you know it was me?” I asked. I’d seen the rotary phone. Hank didn’t have caller ID.
“Who else would be callin’ Hank at eleven o’clock at night?”
Good point. “Max has offered to drive me out to Hank’s so you don’t have to leave him alone.”
He hesitated, then asked, “Are you okay with that?”
“Yeah. I mean, I feel just as guilty about him doing it as you, but until I have a working vehicle, I’m stuck.”
“If you change your mind, I can get Junior or someone to stay with Hank while I come get you.”
“Thanks, but I think I’ll be okay. I’d hate to inconvenience anyone else.”
“If you feel unsafe, let me know. I’ll come get you.”
His insinuations were making me nervous. “Should I be worried about letting Max drive me home?”
“No,” he said.
I waited for him to elaborate, but he remained silent.
“Okay, then,” I said. “I’ll be there as soon as I can.”
The next hour dragged. We only had three patrons in the bar and none of them were drinking much, so I worked on tallying up my tips. I gave Tiny his portion, telling him I’d settle up the rest after my remaining customers left.
“No worries, Carly,” he said in his deep timbre. “You can settle up with me tomorrow.”
Tiny left, and Max ended up kicking the three stragglers out ten minutes early, telling them their last, unfinished, drinks were on the house.
“I’ll pay for their drinks, Max,” I said.
“The hell you will,” he said, locking the front door behind them. “They’ll be back, so there’s no harm in the rest of us gettin’ out ten minutes early. You got your things?”
“Not yet. I need to finish settling up the money.”
“I’ll meet you at the back door.”
I put my tickets and cash on Max’s desk, then headed to the storage room to get my jacket and purse. Max wasn’t at the back door when I got there, but the door opened a few seconds later, and he beckoned me outside.
“My truck’s warming up,” he said as he locked the back door, then led me to the blue and white pickup that was usually parked in the corner of the lot. The engine was running, and white smoke streamed from the exhaust.
I headed to the passenger side while Max got into the driver’s side.
“Do you know where Hank lives?” I asked.
“I know he lives out in White Rabbit Holler, near Ruth, but you’ll have to point out which house is his.”
“No problem.”
He backed out of the parking space and headed toward the road. Once he was on the highway, he cast a glance at me. “Other than tonight with Dwight Henderson, how do you like workin’ at the tavern?”