Wes took a deep breath and a big gulp of his piping-hot coffee.He couldn’t work for a Shepherd, so that would solidify his departure from the sheriff’s department, and from Sandy Point.Without his job, he’d have to leave.He’d be forced to find something else to do.
“Afternoon, Sam,” Miles said after he paid for his coffee and turned toward them.
Sam just gave Miles a blank stare and then walked toward Shelby where he opted to stand like a domineering creep instead of sitting down.Shelby stayed seated and spoke in a hushed tone, but Wes could tell she was annoyed with whatever Sam said to her.
“You can’t let someone like him run this town,” Miles said.“I’ll have to run, if you don’t.”
Wes shook his head.“That might not be so bad.You’d probably love it.”
“Except I don’t think I’m quite as likable as you in this town, and I could lose.What’s really holding you back from running?”
“I just never planned to stay here forever, but if I run for sheriff, that’s it.”
Miles nodded.“I guess you’re at a fork in the road.But if you do decide to run, you’ll have my support and financial backing to beat anyone who may try to run against you.”
“Thanks, I’ll let you know what I decide.”
“You better decide soon, because if people hear you’re not running it’ll be like a pool of sharks with blood in the water,” Miles said.Then he walked back to the counter to say goodbye to May and head out.
Wes needed to get back to the office but decided to wait until Samuel left to make sure he didn’t cause any trouble for Shelby.Before he could sit down, she was standing up and grabbing her things.It wasn’t until Samuel put his hand on her arm that Wes reacted.
“Get your hand off me.I don’t know why you think you were made the boss of this family.But you don’t get to decide anything for Pops or me,” Shelby said, her voice rising as she tried to pull her arm out of Sam’s grip.
“Would you stop being such a—”
“Let go or I’ll make you,” Wes said.He was one second away from putting Samuel Shepherd down and then he wouldn’t think about touching his sister again.
“Why do you suddenly have so much interest in my family affairs, Hart?”
“Since I’m the law, and you always seem to be overstepping boundaries,” Wes growled.
“I’ll see Mom and Dad when I’m ready.It’s none of your business how long I’m staying with Pops.You all left him alone in that big house and have ignored him for years.There’s no sense in pretending you care now,” Shelby said to Sam, zipped her coat and picked up her drink.
“We can see through your little act, but you’re not going to get Pops’s money.He’s not capable of deciding what is best for him anymore.So you may as well run back to your sad life in Atlanta,” Sam said.
“I don’t need his money.I have my own.But if you plan to challenge Pops’s sound mind, you’ll be in for a fight.He could run circles around you.”
“What’s wrong, sick of that waitressing job?Now you need a sugar daddy?”Sam said, then pointed his finger at Shelby, getting too close for Wes’s liking.
So he stepped in front of Sam.“It’s time for you to go.”
“You can’t kick me out of a coffee shop, or maybe you don’t really know the law,” Sam said.
“Oh, but I can.Get out of my coffee shop and you’re not welcome back.I have the right to refuse anyone access or service to my business,” May said.
Sam turned his ire on May next.“It’s a big mistake to side with these losers, May Garcia.”Then he left.
“Dang, why is your brother such a jerk?”May asked.
But Wes could see Shelby’s eyes swell with tears and every ounce of him wanted to envelop her in a big hug.The only reason he held back was because May beat him to it.
“Oh, honey, I’m sorry.I’m sure it can be worked out.”
Shelby quickly swiped at her eyes and shook her head.“It’s fine, he just gets defensive when he feels challenged.You really need to stop pushing his buttons,” she said pointing to Wes.“I don’t need you to rescue me all the time.It’s not actually helpful.”
May looked between them.“Well, you may not want Wes’s help, but your brother was being too aggressive, Shelby.You don’t have to take that from him or anyone.”
Shelby let out a big breath.“I know.He’s part of the reason I haven’t come back home.My family is too dysfunctional.”
