“Ah,” Cole nodded, understanding immediately. “And I’m guessing he didn’t take it well?”
“That’s putting it mildly,” I snorted. “He basically disowned me in front of the entire church, called Connor some pretty awful things, and then tried to punch me. Larry stepped in and took the hit instead.”
Cole winced. “Jesus.”
“Yeah. And now I can’t even call Connor to see if he’s alright.” My voice cracked a little. “I’m worried about what my dad might do to him.”
“Nothing, if he’s smart,” Cole said. “Not after a scene like that.”
“You don’t know my father very well then.”
Cole’s face darkened. “What do you think he’ll do?”
“Anything to get rid of Connor.” I swallowed hard, the fear that had been gnawing at me all morning suddenly overwhelming. “He won’t give up. Not when he’s already sacrificed so much of his reputation.”
“You really think your father would go that far?” Cole asked, his voice low.
“You didn’t see the look in his eyes last night. It was...” I shuddered, remembering the pure hatred on my father’s face. “It was like he wanted to kill us both.”
Cole was quiet for a moment, then nodded decisively. “Alright. Finish up here with Jesse. I’m going to make some calls.”
“Calls? To who?”
“I know people,” Cole said simply. “Including some at the sheriff’s office who owe me favors. I’m just gonna make sure Connor is okay.”
Hope flickered in my chest for the first time that day. “Thank you.”
Cole squeezed my shoulder before walking away, phone already in hand. I turned back to my work with renewed focus, grateful for his help but still sick with worry.
By lunchtime, my nerves were completely shot. I kept checking my phone, hoping for some message, any message that would tell me Connor was okay. The uncertainty was worse than anything.
“Ryder!”
I spun around to see Cole striding toward me, his expression grim. My heart plummeted.
“What is it? What happened?”
“Your father called the sheriff this morning. Said they found a gun under Connor’s mattress during a routine inspection.”
“That’s bullshit,” I snapped. “Connor would never be stupid enough to have a gun. He knows that would send him straight back to prison. Where the hell would he even get it?”
“I know,” Cole agreed. “They couldn’t give me any details other than they took him in. He’s being transported to the state prison this afternoon for violating his parole.”
The world seemed to tilt beneath my feet. “This afternoon? But that’s—they can’t just?—”
“They can, and they have,” Cole said grimly. “Your father has friends everywhere. And we both know convicts aren’t exactly trusted.”
“I have to see him,” I said, already moving toward my truck. “I can’t just let them throw him back in prison again. Dad set him up. Iknowit.”
“What evidence do you have of that?” Cole asked, following quickly behind me. “Why would they believe you over Pete?”
“Because I’m his son, and I know him better than anyone,” I shot back, my voice cracking with desperation. “He’s been looking for a reason to get rid of Connor since the moment he found out about us. This is just too convenient.”
Cole grabbed my arm as I reached for the truck door. “I’ll go get Evelyn and Larry and see what we can do here. You go to his parole officer and see if she’ll hear us out.”
“She will,” I nodded confidently. “Her and I have history.”
I grabbed my keys from my pocket and jumped into the truck, my hands shaking so badly I almost dropped them. This couldn’t be happening. Not to Connor. Not when we’d finally told each other we loved each other.
