“There are too many places to hide around here, though,” Sheriff says.
“True, the national park doesn’t help matters. It’s acres of woods and trails,” Willow says.
“Fuck,” I say, running my hand over my head. “It feels like we’re right back to a year ago. No progress, more danger, and more threat.”
“Why don’t you just let the team and Sheriff Arlo handle it? You aren’t on the force anymore; we don’t need you to be involved, especially if it’s going to put you in a bad head space. I’m not trying to put you back there, Oak.”
“Kellen…”
“I’m serious. I just got my best friend back. It’s not worth going through the mind games, especially if he’s targeting you.” He looks up at Willow, and she bows her head in a show that she knows all the details, so he’s able to talk freely. He arches his eyebrow at me, and I ignore him.
“Maybe we should take this down to the station,” Sheriff intervenes. “We can map everything out and get a plan together.”
“Shit, I’ve got the café to run. Brittany isn’t coming in today.”
“Well, then it’s settled. You’ll run your business, and we’ll take care of Tennison,” Woodcroft says so easily it’s starting to piss me off.
“I’ll run it.” Willow’s voice isstrong and sure.
“What?” I ask.
“I’ll run Grind Time. I mean, I’ll probably suck at the coffee, but no one in Bluebell Falls will really care. I’ll hold down the fort while you guys take this asshole down.” She offers it so effortlessly, and for some reason, it hits me hard. She doesn’t bat an eye to support me, to step up when I feel like I need to finish this. The guys may not agree, but she understands.She gets me.
“I can just close up shop,” I suggest.
“Nope, it’s already decided. I’m going to get cleaned up, and I’ll head down and take care of it.” She’s already standing up, taking the last sip of her coffee before heading to my bedroom.
“She’s fucking perfect for you,” Woodcroft says quietly with a chuckle.
“Because she’s running Grind Time?” I ask.
“Because she’s pushing you to finish what you started, even if I think it’s a terrible idea. I know you, and I know you wouldn’t listen to me anyway, but she just stepped up and she’s feisty. Like I said, perfect for you.”
Sheriff is just watching us with a smirk on his face. I get the feeling he doesn’t really talk to anyone that much unless it’s for a good reason. But his facial expressions give him away if you pay attention.
“Alright, I’m heading down. Call me if you guys need some coffee, and I’ll run some over. I assume you’ll be at the office for a while?” Willow turns to ask Sheriff as she comes out of my bedroom. She’s tied my T-shirt into a knot at her hip and thrown her hair up on top of her head. She looks fucking beautiful.
“We will be. I’ll let you know. Thanks, Will,” Sheriff says.
She nods as she walks to me, leans down, and kisses me. “Be safe,” she whispers, and I can see the fear in her eyes.
“I will.”
“Well, great to meet you, Kellen. Arlo, be nice.” She bounds down the stairs like this is just part of her everyday routine.
My eyes track her until she shuts the door behind her. I don’t want to leave her, I don’t want to leave our safe space, but she’s right. Her actions tell me more than her words ever could. I need to go after Tennison. I need to close the door on that time in my life so I can put my full effort into being the man that Willow needs and deserves.
The three of us walk into the small sheriff’s office. It looks like there’s just him and a part-time front-desk person, who isn’t currently here. No wonder he’s been bugging me to take a job.
We make our way to his equally tiny office and grab chairs, getting settled in for the long haul.
“Okay, so what do we know?” Sheriff pulls out a map of the area, laying it out flat before sitting back.
“We know he’s heading north from Austin. He was last spotted there, about” — Woodcroft checks his watch — “fourteen hours ago. And a few hours ago, we got the call about the same car on the outskirts of the park.”
“Shit.” I scrub my hand over my face.
“I don’t know the entirety of the case, just what I could find in the news and other reports, but if he’s coming for you, Oakley, then is it not safe to assume he’s either setting a trap or watching your movements?”
