He scowled. “I don’t need anyone who acts like that.” Hunter’s expression softened a fraction. “You really should think about pressing charges.”

Shay’s hand tightened on my arm. “I really don’t want to go through that.”

“Okay…” Hunter agreed. “But if you change your mind, you send Sheriff Raines to me for a statement.” He turned his focus to me. “I need to get Sam out of here and deal with my crew. You need anything, just say the word.”

“Thanks, man. I’ll come talk to you a little later.” I needed the lowdown from Hunter on Sam. Had to know whether there was a chance he could cause more trouble. Hunter gave me a chin jerk and headed back towards the studio site.

I turned to Shay. “Do you think you can stand?”

“I want up. My butt’s freezing.”

I wanted to grin or laugh, but I simply didn’t have it in me. Not while I was staring at a pale, still-trembling Shay. “I’m going to help you, okay?”

She took my hands. “I’m ready.”

I pulled Shay to her feet, and while she stumbled slightly, she quickly righted herself. I slipped an arm around her waist. “We’re going up to the house, but slowly.”

“Slow and steady wins the race, right?”

“Damn straight.” It might as well have been my life motto these days. With art. With this new life I was building. With Shay. “Does it hurt to walk?”

“I’m stiff, that’s all. I need a long soak in an Epsom salt bath.”

“We can arrange that.” The guest room had a decent-sized tub, or she could use the soaking tub in the master. But what if she slipped or passed out? “Actually, maybe that’s not such a good idea.”

“Why not?”

“You had a pretty decent knock on the head there. You could pass out.”

She groaned, leaning her weight against me a little more. “Pretty please? I’ll talk to you through the door so you know I haven’t started drowning.”

I chuckled as I guided Shay up the front walk to the house. “The bath in the guest room has a curtain. You get in and pull the curtain. I’ll sit by the tub, just in case.”

She was silent for a moment before she answered. “No peeking.”

“Scout’s honor.”

Shay snorted. “Like you were ever a Boy Scout.”

I pulled open the door and ushered her inside, towards the stairs. “I’ll have you know, I had two whole years of Boy Scouts before I dropped out, much to the dismay of my father. Easy on these stairs now.”

She gingerly took each step, one hand on me, the other on the rail. “Do you know how to start a fire by rubbing two sticks together?”

“No, but I know how to start one using flint. And I’m an expert at roasting marshmallows.”