Sheriff snorted. “Shit. That’s it right there, isn’t it? All that fighting was just sexual tension.”
Yeah, no. I didn’t want to talk about sexual tension with Sheriff Locke.
“Sir?” I quirked an eyebrow. “That transfer, please?”
He sat forward again and pinned me with a look that made my balls retreat. “I’ll grant you that transfer, but only because Lee’s left me fifteen messages already this morning asking for the same thing. You and her are good together, I can see that plain as day. But I tell you something, Smith. You hurt one hair on Lee’s head and I’ll personally remove your balls and string them up in the office to remind those young deputies not to mess with my officers. You got me?”
I swallowed hard and had to clear my throat to speak. “Yes, sir.”
“Now get the fuck out of my office while I figure out who to assign to Lee when she’s back on her feet.”
“Yes, sir. May I suggest Charles? He’s young, but he’s got his head screwed on straight, and he’s the only one around here who doesn’t seem to irritate Oakley.” If I couldn’t ride with her, I sure as hell didn’t want her riding solo again. Charles would treat her with the respect she deserved while making sure she stayed safe.
“I’ll keep that in mind, Lieutenant.” He paused. “And for what it’s worth, I hope you find a way to get back in Lee’s good graces.”
I shot him a smile as I walked out of the office. That was as good of a compliment as Sheriff would ever give.
27
Wyatt
“She’s gonna cut off my balls and feed ’em to that sheepdog of hers.”
Em grimaced. “Okay, first. I’m your sister and don’t want to think about your balls. Second, Amelia seems like someone I’d get along with. I highly doubt she’d—oh, shit.”
Oh, shit was right. As I deliberated about the wisdom of pleading my case with Amelia parked outside her house, she must have spotted my truck first. Not hard when there were still remnants of a particularly untrue message spray-painted on the side. I could only guess that was Amelia’s handiwork. I’d heard about her penchant for tagging, though she’d stooped to new lows with this job. Funny thing was, I couldn’t blame her. I’d do the same if some guy messed with my sister.
Amelia came out the front door of Peacock B and B, her dress fluttering around her brown cowboy boots widely spaced on the front porch. Her gaze narrowed on mine through the windshield of my truck. She had a shotgun in one hand, and I didn’t for a second think she’d step outside to greet me like that unless it was loaded and ready to rip me a new one.
Em fluttered her hands for a second before grabbing my arm in a death grip. Damn, the girl had nails that would rival a honey badger. “Maybe this was a bad idea.”
I ignored the engrained habit of reaching for my service weapon when faced with an armed opponent, especially since I wasn’t carrying it right now. I’d had to take the week off, as per Sheriff Locke’s instructions, and hopefully by the time I came back, I’d be headed to a new county. Besides, I’d needed the week to come up with a plan. Em and I had strategized like I was going to war, and in a sense, I was.
I was fighting for love, baby.
“It’s got to be done.” I pulled Em’s hands off me without drawing blood and climbed out of the truck.
I approached Amelia like one would a hurt brown bear cub. “Amelia.”
Her only reply was to lift the barrel of the shotgun a few inches.
I put my hands up the way I’d been taught when negotiating in a hostage situation. My black boots came to a hasty stop in the thick green grass leading up to the gorgeous new B and B. A pink flamingo caught my attention in my peripheral vision, but I couldn’t worry about him right now. At least it wasn’t that damn peacock that terrorized Auburn Hill whenever it got a hair up its ass.
“Amelia. I’m just here to talk real friendly-like. No need for the shotgun.”
She sneered, tossing her dark hair over her shoulder before grabbing the weapon with both hands. “I’ll see about that. State your business, Smith. Or should I say Dolby?”
I nodded. “Right. I deserve that.” I glanced around, seeing one elderly couple walking around the gardens on the side of the property, glancing my way and whispering, probably wondering why I was shouting across the front lawn. “Listen, I made a mistake. Well, lots of mistakes actually. But the worst of all was hurting your sister. I’ll regret that for the rest of my life, I swear to you. I’d like to apologize to her, but a simple I’m sorry doesn’t seem big enough.”
Titus pushed open the screen door and stepped out onto the porch. “You need a grand gesture.” He threw me a friendly smile, which I appreciated. Seemed like all of Auburn Hill was pissed at me these days.
Amelia snorted. “Don’t give him ideas,” she said out the side of her mouth to Titus.
“What?” Titus replied. “It worked when you apologized to me.”
“Shh!” Amelia’s cheeks turned pink.
“Um, I actually have my own idea for a grand apology. That’s what I came here for. I need your help, Amelia.”
She turned back to me, suspicion carved into her expression. “Let me ask you a question first. Do you even love Oakley? Because I ain’t helping you do shit unless you can prove it to me first.”
I stood up taller, feeling hopeful for the first time in a week. “What does Oakley hold most dear?”
“I’m not telling you!” Amelia spat, lifting the shotgun up like she was aiming now.
Titus answered almost at
