Tears were streaming down Amy’s face, and I knew it gutted every man standing on that front porch.
“Come here, kid,” Calvin said, motioning for her to come to him.
When Amy stepped away from me and Wolfe, Calvin enveloped her in his burly arms, hugging her tight. “I promise you, girl. No one will hurt you ever again. Not on my watch.”
“Or mine,” Lynx stated.
“Or mine,” Wolfe added.
“Or mine,” Cooter and Reagan said at the same time.
“See? We’ve all got your back.” Calvin pulled back, looking down at her face and tilting her chin up so she was looking at him. “Whatever you decide to do, you’ve got us right behind you.”
More sobs tore through Amy, and Wolfe reached for her, pulling her against him. I couldn’t stop myself from holding her, too. Once again, several pairs of eyes were on us, but I didn’t care.
“All right, Sheriff,” Calvin addressed me directly. “I need to have a word with you.”
I had been expecting some sort of confrontation. Especially now that we’d come out with our relationship.
Meeting Wolfe’s gaze, I nodded, then watched as Wolfe led Amy back inside, Lynx, Reagan, and Joanna following.
A second later, I was facing Calvin and Cooter.
“I just want to make somethin’ crystal clear,” Calvin said in that same gruff tone I was used to.
Here it came. The warning I'd always expected.
“You’ve done a remarkable job as sheriff of this town.”
I shook my head slightly, trying to clear my ears. Had I heard him right?
“And we fully expect you to continue keepin’ things in line.” Calvin nodded toward the house. “This thing that the three of you have goin’…” He met my eyes straight on. “It’s the most important thing. I want you to remember that. Whatever happens, family matters.”
I nodded.
“And if you’re with my son, then that makes you family.”
My stomach had dropped to my toes. I hadn’t expected that. In fact, I'd expected one or both of them to warn me off of Wolfe and Amy.
“And the feud between the families?” I asked because it had to be said.
Cooter laughed, a loud, rough sound. “Your old man fabricated that feud, son. Back when we were kids.”
I frowned.
“He never told you?” Calvin asked.
I shook my head.
Cooter laughed again, glancing at Calvin, then at me. “It was over a girl. In eighth grade.”
That pulled a smile from me. I couldn’t help it.
Of course, it made sense. My father had always thought he was top dog. If some teenage girl had chosen a Caine over him… Yeah, that made perfect sense.
“So we’re good, then?” Calvin asked.
I nodded.
