To Thine Own Self

He continued. "What's this about Rob attacking you?"

She glanced up. "Don't you think it's a little late to come to my rescue now - or is there some other reason you're asking?"

He flinched at her words and his tone became harsh.

"Apparently you thought I should do something now or you wouldn't have thrown it in my face."

She placed the skillet on the stove and turned the burner on to dry it thoroughly.

"It wasn't my intent to throw it in your face." She lifted her gaze to his." He molested me yesterday."

His eyes flashed and his jaw worked. "What did he do?"

She hesitated. He might go running over there or he might do nothing. She wasn't sure which idea bothered her worst.

"He caught me in the barn alone and told me that …" She hesitated again. His exact words weren't important - especially because they weren't true. The fact that he stood before her now was proof. "He said improper things to me. When I tried to get out of the barn he pushed me to the floor and …. felt my stomach and breast … under my T-shirt."

For a moment he stared at her, his expression difficult to read, but obviously he was upset.

"I didn't encourage him." She added, searching his face.

"Did you call the police?"

She shook her head. "No, I broke his nose."

His brows shot up and a smile lurked in his eyes and on his lips.

"Carmen, when a man touches and talks to you in an inappropriate matter, you set him straight. When he holds you down to do it, that indicates a potential for rape."

She nodded. "I was afraid that he would."

She shut the stove off and moved the frying pan.

"I warned Felipa and Sam. I threatened him with a pitch fork and told him to get out and not come back."

His gaze was intense. "Did he?"

She shook her head. "No, but he's supposed to leave in the morning anyway."

"Does Gerald know what happened?"

She shrugged. "I don't know. Aaron told me he was taking him to the doctor because he had a broken nose."

His gaze scoured her face. "Are you alright?"

"My shoulder hurts from hitting him."

He nodded and his gaze dropped to the broken phone.

Warmth ran up her neck. "I lost my temper."