“Sure am,” he states. “You’re the first person who came to mind when I made the decision to retire. You’re my most senior deputy, and you care more about Bluebell and its residents than anyone else in the department or someone from out of town ever could.”
I’m stunned speechless. I’ve considered a full-time deputy role, butsheriff? I’ve never considered it a possibility, so I haven’t given it much thought. Still, the idea has a certain appeal. With the right processes in place and dependable deputies, it could be a career that lets me get home to Birdie at a decent hour while still helping Heath during the busy season at the ranch. It would also make it easier to keep an eye out for any local animals in need of rescue and prevent Birdie from going rogue to save them and getting herself in trouble again.
I love being a deputy—it gives me the chance to contribute to Bluebell and make a real difference in people’s lives. Taking over as sheriff would allow me to have an even greater impact while staying connected to the work I enjoy. There’s also reassurance in knowing that if I did take the job, I’d have Heath’s full support, and that he’ll soon have more help managing the ranch.
Sheriff Matterson studies me, drumming his fingers against his desk. “Don’t hurt yourself thinking too hard, son.”
I give an incredulous laugh, shaking my head. “You’ve given me a lot to think about.”
“Is taking over as sheriff something you’d be interested in?”
“Yeah, I think I could be, but it’s a big decision.” I keep my response neutral. “I’ll need time to think it over and discuss it with Birdie before I can give you a definitive answer. Right now, her happiness and goals come before mine. She’s waited so long to make her animal sanctuary an official nonprofit, and I want to help her get it up and running as soon as possible. She does incredible work and deserves the space and funding to care for the animals without having to cover the costs herself.”
I’ve explored every option to make her dream a reality, but so far, I haven’t found a practical solution. One idea was to convert part of Silver Saddle Ranch into a rescue, but she’s mentioned wanting space near her house so she doesn’t have to relocate the animals already living there. Another idea was to build more sheds in her backyard, but that wouldn’t solve the problem of the property being residential.
Hell, I’d buy her all the land she could ever want if I thought she’d let me. As it stands, I know she’d never accept it—not when our relationship is still so new, and she’s been so determined to make this happen on her own terms.
Sheriff Matterson falls silent for a moment, tracing a finger along the edge of a photo of Birdie and her mom on his desk.
“I knew she went to great lengths to rescue animals in trouble, but I didn’t realize how much she’d given up to do it—or that she planned to turn it into a nonprofit.” He draws his hand back to his lap, guilt shadowing his expression. “Birdie’s my daughter. I should’ve been more invested in the things that matter most to her and done more to help her achieve her goals.”
A new idea sparks in my mind—one that might actually work if Sheriff Matterson agrees.
“You can still make a difference for her, sir. If Birdie had more land, she could expand her rescue efforts, get the nonprofit approved, and start accepting donations to keep operations running long-term. She thinks she has to make this happen on her own, but we can show her that she doesn’t.”
He tilts his head, studying me. “What did you have in mind?”
I lean forward, resting my arms on the desk. “Give me a few minutes, and I’ll explain.”
His gaze softens. “For Birdie, I have all the time in the world.”
Good Days Ahead
Walker picked me up from work after his shift at the sheriff’s office, and we’re headed to my place for a low-key evening with Nugget and the kittens. He intertwines his hand with mine when I lean my head back against the seat, his other hand resting on the steering wheel.
I break the silence with something that’s been on my mind all day. “I want to tell the girls about how our relationship started. I think they deserve to know the truth.”
Walker glances over, letting out a low hum. “I think that’s a great idea.”
“Really?” I ask, raising a brow.
He nods. “Yeah, of course. You know I told Heath, so if you think it’s important for your friends to know too, you should absolutely tell them.”
He told me about the recent conversation they had, and I’m grateful they had a long-overdue heart-to-heart. In many ways, it was just as important as the talk I had with my dad—finally addressing lingering conflict and long-standing hurt feelings—and I’m relieved they were able to resolve their differences.
“Although I don’t think we should tell our parents. Ma may never forgive me for agreeing to our original arrangement,” Walker adds, shooting me a wink.
I let out a relieved sigh, glad we’re on the same page.
“I agree wholeheartedly,” I say.
Before my nerves get the best of me, I pull out my phone and type a message in the group chat, exhaling sharply as I hit send. Maybe it would have been better to tell the girls in person, but this is the easiest way to get it out there, and I’ll fill in the details when we’re together.
Backroads & Bad Decisions Group Chat
Birdie: So I have something I need to confess…
Charlie: You raided my closest and took my vintage Levi’s, didn’t you?
