"No." As much as it would kill me to see him with a date, that might be the thing I need to finally try to move on.
Or I could kill him. I'll have to think on it for now.
Chapter Seven
SHERIFF HUDSON
If there is one thing I don’t miss about being a Ranger, it’s being in charge of people. I keep forgetting Beckett is here, which isn’t like me. When I was a Ranger, I knew everything that was happening with anyone in my unit. This is going to take adjustment, but I try to look at the positive. If I can get her trained correctly, then it might free up more of my time.
"You need to let it go," I tell Beckett again. I can see she's still stewing about the Tinsley event. I wasn't too happy about it either, but I have learned this town has a lot of quirks. They kind of grow on you. So do the people. I find myself being protective of them and past the bonds of being the town's sheriff. I know this because I keep wondering why Tinsley did what she did.
She gets up to things, but it’s innocent for the most part. I wonder if she is acting out due to bullying or issues at home. Both don't add up. Tinsley would be more likely to end up in my station for punching a bully. It would earn her a sticker from Kindred.
Tinsley adores Kindred. They have a great relationship and are a lot alike. I trust that Kindred will talk to her about the fact that she put herself in danger with her little stunt.
"I don't understand why you're smiling about this." I didn't know I was smiling at all. I drop my expression, going blank. “That little girl could have gotten seriously hurt or caused someone else to with the stunt she pulled.”
“Situations are handled differently here in New Hope. You’re going to need to adjust.”
“Adjust? The law is the law. You were a Ranger?”
“I was.” I didn’t tell her that. I’m not chatty, but it wouldn't be real difficult to dig into me. At least part of my life. When I went into the Army at eighteen, I changed my last name back to my mother's maiden name. I didn’t want any link to the Branson last name.
“The rules—” Fucking hell, she really isn't going to let this go.
I don’t think her bringing up that I’m a Ranger hit the mark that she hoped. Sure, you’re taught what you should and shouldn’t do, but you’re also taught to think outside of that because situations are constantly evolving, and you have to know how to adjust and quickly.
“Knock it off,” I bark, snapping right back into my old role. Beckett's lips purse. She has a problem with authority, and it’s past asking a few questions out of curiosity or wanting to learn. "Let it go." I stand. "Protecting people is just that. You protect them," I tell her. "That's our job, and not everyone needs to be tossed into jail or ticketed for shit."
"That's how they learn."
"Are you sure about that?" This time she doesn't respond. Normally you shouldn't let a subordinate slide on that, but the less talking she does, the better. I'm starting to get a headache in the back of my skull. This is why I prefer to work solo. I’d rather have a little more to do and less aggravation.
I show Beckett around town, introducing her to different people. A lot of the shop owners and so on. I have us cross thestreet, knowing that Kindred left her office a few minutes ago headed in this direction.
A glimpse of her will do more for my headache than Tylenol. You'd think she'd be the source of them, but it doesn't matter what she's doing; it pleases me. Except if she brings a date to the wedding.
That won’t please me at all. I need to figure out if she has a date and who the little shit is. He wouldn’t be the first male I’ve chased away from her. I know it’s an asshole thing to do, but I find I don’t care. Not when it comes to her. She’s mine, end of story.
I can’t have some punk trying to get close to her. That’s what I’m trying to do; I’m just fucking terrible at it.
"Who is she?" Beckett asks, seeing Kindred walking toward us.
"She introduced herself to you." I probably should have done it, but Kindred's attention was on me; that would have shifted it to Beckett.
"I know, but she's clearly someone. Everyone talks to her, and you let her?—"
"Don't." I’m not sure what she is going to say, but I have an idea, and I know I won't care for it. My dislike for Beckett is already higher than it should be, and her saying anything in a negative light about Kindred would send it all the way to the basement floor.
"What?" Beckett snips out, trying to hide her irritation. "I just?—"
"If you want this town to like you, to get information when you need it, Kindred is how you can get it, and quickly," I tell her. "You heard her phone go off when my radio did? That wasn't dispatch calling her. When it comes to this town, she's the heart of it. All roads lead back to Kindred in New Hope. She knowseveryone, the townspeople trust her, and they will run you out of here if you try to go against her.”
“That’s not how that should work.”
“Did I ask you if it should?” I glance over at her, seeing her lips purse again. Kindred is drawing closer. "Why don't you go get lunch? The diner has a good selection."
"By myself?" She stops walking.
