He took the armchair next to her. “Tell me what happened with those men tonight.”

Oh, no. Was she in trouble? “I-I didn’t mean to start a fight.”

“Julie.” His face softened. “You did nothing wrong. I didn’t see what occurred, but I’d guess one touched you in a private spot, and that’s considered sexual assault. All you did was accidentally spill a drink on him. Unfortunately.”

“Unfortunately?”

“As a law officer, I frown on retaliation”—his mouth quirked. “However, it’s not unheard of for a waitress to knock an obnoxious customer right off his chair.”

“Oh. Wow.” She really should have gotten out more.

“Next time you think there’ll be a problem, tell Bull. He enjoys throwing assholes out. If he’s in a good mood, he might even open the door first.”

Good. Grief. It was appalling that she liked the visual of that blond jerk being thrown into the door. “So, I’m not in trouble with the law. And Bull won’t fire me?”

“Fire you?”

Why did he have to be so good-looking when he smiled?

“Didn’t you hear his announcement as we were leaving?”

“Um, no.”

“He shouted that any bastard who touches his staff will be tossed out and never allowed inside again.”

A warm feeling tugged at her. Someone had stuck up for her. Two someones, actually. “I hope his edict won’t affect his business. Although people seemed happy to have a bar in town.”

“It should quiet down some after tonight. Alaskans like opening nights—of anything. We don’t get much excitement.”

“Uh-huh. Just bears and bar fights, huh?”

When he grinned, looking so…so male, competent, and fun, her heart did a slow somersault in her chest. He’d saved her, sent the jerks fleeing, brought her home, and made sure she was all right.

How did a girl deal with being cared for like this?

Politely. Try politely, Audrey. “Well, thank you, Chief. For the help. And the ride. And the ice. And…uh…carrying me like Rhe—” Like Rhett with Scarlett? Good God, had she almost said that? She felt her cheeks heat with her chagrin.

He chuckled, low and deep. Laughter looked good on him, even if she was the cause.

She slumped against the couch cushions. “This is why I prefer to be a loner. I’m not adept with people.”

“A loner, hmm?”

“Yes.” However, she didn’t want to be alone now. Not when her center felt hollow and quaking. Being hurt again… “Usually.”

She ran a trembling hand through her hair, and his gaze followed the movement. “Uh…would you care for a drink?”

In that way he had, he studied her. His intent focus resembled how she examined data to puzzle out anomalies.

“Bears and bar fights,” he said softly. “Quite the adjustment for a little cheechako. You’re still shaken, aren’t you?”