“If I can convince her, I’ll bring her out.”
“I’ll make sure the liquor cabinet is fully stocked, because if Zeke’s will says what I think it does, her family is going to give her a hard time.Good thing Declan Shaw is her attorney now too.”
“Any chance you’re looking to come out of retirement and want to take some part-time work as a deputy?”
Gran’s eyes opened wide before she burst out laughing.“Now that is the smartest idea you’ve had in years.”
“Thanks, I think.”Wes couldn’t help but laugh too, but then his phone started ringing.
Gran stood, propping her fancy bag on his desk, and pulled out a smaller bag he recognized from the diner.
“I figured you probably forgot to eat lunch today, so I got you one of those sandwiches you like.But if I were you, I’d be headed out to relieve that deputy at the Shepherd house soon.”
Wesley grinned as if she’d read his mind.“Thank you, Gran.And what was it you said you heard about the Banks estate?”
With pursed lips she met his eyes.“I don’t have a name, but apparently Miles has been very vocal about throwing his support behind you for sheriff, and the Shepherds have been opposed to the idea.No idea if those two things are related.
Wes didn’t like the sound of that.Would Samuel Shepherd really target Miles for being supportive of Wes for sheriff?And have his property destroyed?Miles Banks was from a very prominent Sandy Point family, just like the Shepherds.It’d be like going after one of their own.But maybe they didn’t see it that way, if Miles wasn’t in agreement with them.
“Thank you for coming by, the sandwich, and all this town intelligence,” Wes said, then gave his grandmother a big hug.
“Well you are my favorite grandson,” she teased.Something he knew for a fact she told all three of them.
“I’ll let you know if I can convince Shelby to come with me to dinner at your place one night soon.”
“You do that, and I’ll make your favorite cake as a reward.”
He opened his office door for her and the desk clerk stood about to knock on his door.
“Seems we have an issue out at the Shepherd estate, Sheriff.”The young deputy looked worried.
“Mr.Shaw specifically asked that you get involved, Sheriff.”
Wes grabbed his coat.If Declan was at the Shepherd estate that meant someone was challenging her already and if he had a guess, it was more than one someone.
“I’ll call you later, Gran,” he said before practically running to his truck.
CHAPTER TWENTY
Shelby
I Think We’re Alone Now
Shelby didn’t knowwhy she thought coming back to Pops’s was a good idea.And now her father, uncle, and brother were arguing with Declan on the front porch.Standing just inside the foyer, she watched and listened as Declan explained how he’d had the locks changed per Pops’s direction, that the deed was transferred to her, and they needed to wait until tomorrow for the entirety of the will to be read.Her father’s voice got louder as he argued and the only thing that could make this worse was if someone called the cops, again.Then Wes’s truck with flashing blue and red lights came barreling down the driveway and she couldn’t help but laugh.
Once Wes was on the porch the voices got even louder.He spotted her watching and his frown increased, but she couldn’t make out what he said next.There was some discussion and then Declan turned toward the front door, and she stepped away from the window.His knock was tentative, but she opened up.
“Ms.Shepherd, it seems your family are having a hard time believing your grandfather meant to sign the house over to you, and are insistent on hearing what else he did.Now Sheriff Hart can escort them, by force if needed, off your property or he suggested we just do the reading of the will now.”
“Here?”Shelby asked.
Declan shrugged.“I know it’s not ideal, but the four of you are the only named family.We’re all here, and then maybe we can avoid a second dramatic scene tomorrow?”
She had to lean to the side to look at her brother, dad, and uncle standing on the porch with their arms crossed, both scowling at her.
“Fine, then they can disown me and leave me alone.”
She opened the door wider, and Declan stepped back for her family to walk in.
