I let my head fall to the bed, pressing against Ford’s leg. He ran his hand over my hair, the feel of his fingers tangling in the strands the most comforting thing I’d ever felt. “Everything’s going to be okay.”

My head snapped up. “Did you see who attacked you?”

Ford grimaced. “I wish. It was dark, and the salt water messed with my vision.”

I took his hand in mine, trying not to grip it too tightly. “What the hell is going on around here?”

“I don’t know. But we’re going to find out.”

“We are.”

I startled, turning to see a very pissed-off-looking Sheriff Raines. A nurse gaped behind him. I didn’t blame her. He looked like some dark avenging angel. “Hi.” My greeting came out as a squeak, but the man was seriously intimidating when he was this angry.

Raines gave me a quick nod and then turned his attention to Ford. “I’m really sorry this happened to you.”

“You and me both.” Ford chuckled but then winced, holding his ribs.

I stood. “Do you want me to get a nurse?”

Ford squeezed my hand. “I’m fine, Trouble. Just a little tender.”

My eyes narrowed on him. “You forget I know when you’re lying.” I knew all of Ford’s tells, and the shifting of his eyes was a dead giveaway.

“I’ll take the pain meds when I get home.” I let out some sort of growl, and he grinned. “I promise.”

Sheriff Raines cleared his throat. “Did you see anything?”

Ford scowled. “Not much that will help, I’m afraid. A man. About my height and build. But I couldn’t see any discernable features. It was dark. He was wearing a hat. And my eyes were full of salt water.”

Raines pulled a notepad out of his pocket and began scrawling things down. “We found the branch that was used to strike you, but I’m afraid we won’t have much luck with prints. It was waterlogged, and the bark was peeling off.”

“So back to square one,” I mumbled.

“Not square one.” The sheriff met my gaze head-on. “I’ll have as many men as I can afford canvassing the surrounding area tomorrow and asking stores in the vicinity if they have any cameras outside their properties. Maybe we’ll get lucky.”

I wasn’t going to hold my breath. Anchor was a safe place to live most of the time. The crimes we faced were petty theft, underage drinking, and an occasional drug bust. Store owners weren’t big on security of any kind. “I hope you find something.” The doubt in my voice told him how unlikely I thought that was.