They move away just as my dad walks up.
“Ready? Nester is taking over for me so I can get you home. I’m sorry I missed your game.”
“Again,” I remind him like a snotty teenager.
He sighs and nods. “Yes, again.”
But then he smiles at me, and I forgive him like always. He wraps me in a hug, the warmth of his embrace relaxing me, and leads me out of the building.
“I’m so lucky to have you as a daughter,” he says, his tone filled with relief, once we are on the sidewalk.
“What’s the alternative?”
“Well, I could have a kid like the one I just brought in.”
I nod slowly.
“What did he do this time?”
Dad throws one arm around me and pulls me close.
“Nothing that you need to worry about. Just remember what I told you earlier this year, okay, and stay far, far, far away from the Richford family. Dutton Richford to be exact. That boy is nothing but trouble.”
I nod. “Okay.”
He pauses and then steps in front of me until I'm giving him my full attention.
“I’m serious, Brooke. Promise me that you’ll never let yourself get mixed up with that boy. Ever.”
“Jeez, Dad, I promise,” I say and walk around him.
I don’t know why he’s so worried.
I mean, come on, I’m the sheriff's daughter and Dutton’s the town bad boy.
He wants nothing to do with me, and I want nothing to do with him.
That’s where our story ends.
Chapter
One
PRESENT DAY
DUTTON
“Quick. I need water.”
The bride-to-be sitting in front of me places her hand at the bottom of her slender neck and then taps it as if she’s choking.
Considering she’s eating food supplied by the lodge my family owns, this is not a good sign.
I quickly grab the water glass in front of her and force it into her hand.
She starts to chug while her fiancé just spits his food out onto the plate sitting in front of him.
Well, this is fucking great feedback.
