Total pages in book: 61
Estimated words: 57920 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 290(@200wpm)___ 232(@250wpm)___ 193(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 57920 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 290(@200wpm)___ 232(@250wpm)___ 193(@300wpm)
"Shit?"
"Do you have time for me to list it all, or can the one word suffice?"
"What about—"
"When have I ever let you go without eating?"
"Never. I think you're trying to plump me up."
"You being healthy is all I care about," I tell her. "We're a team. Let me handle things. You don't have to do everything yourself, and I know how you like things done." I’ve been watching her for long enough to know exactly how she does most stuff.
I do want to show her that I'll make a good partner in life. Kindred takes on a lot, and as our family grows, I don't want things to pull her down trying to handle it all. Not when I'm more than capable of helping. I won’t be the kind of husband or father my own had been. Taking care of your family goes way past financial.
I might be New Hope's sheriff, but the reality is this town needs Kindred more than it needs policing, for the most part.
“A team.” Her smile grows. “I love that.” She lifts on her tiptoes to press a kiss to my mouth.
It’s not until we’re almost to town and she’s halfway through the breakfast sandwich I made that it hits her about her place.
“Oh, the break-in.”
“That’s on my list too,” I tell her. I don’t want her anywhere near it. I already called in a few favors to see about getting phone logs and other things pulled. “But will you do me a favor?”
“Can I know what it is first?”
“I’m going to need you to agree to it.” I flick a glance over at her, taking my eyes off the road for half a second.
“All right. Hit me with it.”
“I need you to stay at Town Hall, and if you leave, don’t go alone.”
“Cash, I have a million things to handle.”
“Town Hall includes the mayor's home.” It’s practically in the backyard. I have already given Hollis a heads-up on what has gone down. With the wedding being at his place, that is where she’ll spend most of her time.
“Can I call you if anything comes up and I do need to go outside of said area?”
“You can call me anytime.”
“Then we have a deal.” She leans over and kisses me when I pull up outside of Town Hall. “You handle what you need to and don’t worry. I won’t break this deal.”
“Thank you.” Kindred stays put as I get out and open her door for her. I give her one more kiss before I watch her walk into the building. Fuck, I'm going to love getting used to this being our new normal every day.
I stand there for a few more seconds staring at the door before I force myself to leave. I want to say fuck it all and be her shadow, but I also want to be the one digging into whomever is fucking with her. I won’t rest until I find out.
I do a couple of loops around town, making sure everything looks in order. The same as I always do before pulling into the station. I see Beckett's vehicle already parked out front. I still need to deal with her carelessness with her service weapon. You don't get to be jumpy and be in our line of duty. That’s how accidents happen. If you can't handle yourself and control your fear, you can't carry a gun.
Which means you can’t be working on the streets; a desk job would be better suited. I'm not trying to be an asshole, but that's the reality of it. That's how innocent people get killed, and you know what?
Sometimes they are not-so-innocent people, but their punishment for being a stupid drunk or breaking into a house to commit petty theft shouldn't be death. Not even mentioning people with mental breaks. I'm still not sure how Beckett was a beat cop for years and acted the way she did yesterday.
I see that Ethan is parked beside her. I'm glad he's back in town. It's good timing. There is shit I need him to handle too. Plus, it’s an added layer of security for Kindred.
When I step into the station, I see Beckett and him chatting. Ethan is sitting in my chair. Beckett is standing next to him, staring down at his phone.
"Morning," I say, making them both look up.
"New deputy?" Ethan says. I nod because I'm not so sure she'll be sticking around. Things are not panning out great for her. I'll talk to Ethan in private. "I was showing her the pictures I took last night."
"He said they have an alarm, but Kindred had turned it off?"
"Kindred didn't turn it off."
"But I thought you said—"
"It's wrong." How, I'm not sure yet, but I'll be figuring it out.
"She's also getting threatening phone calls and her tire was slashed." I guess he told her everything. "But there is no footage from the cameras outside of it being slashed?"