It’s unlocked,” Van called out when he heard the doorbell. He was just in the process of cutting up some carrots for the salad. He heard her step inside and glanced over his shoulder quickly to smile at her. “Chiller’s right there on the counter. Tonight’s dinner is presented to you by Ginny Sue Van Buren. Her favorite baked garlic and parmesan chicken.” “Van…” The cracking of her voice drew his immediate attention. He set the knife down and turned around quickly. She was standing in his foyer, her face ashen. When he looked down he saw that her stockings were wet and she looked to be bleeding. “Jesus, what the hell happened?” he demanded, rounding the bar and coming to her side immediately. He knelt to examine her ankle and saw several small nicks that weren’t serious. “I dropped the wine,” she murmured, and when his eyes met hers, tears welled in them. He stood and drew her close.
