by Vanessa Vale
He glanced at me with those weird pale eyes. He was pissed, too. Yeah, I’d just scolded him, but he fucking deserved it.
“I was trying to help. To find her a job where she wouldn’t have to be in danger. Where I might be able to breathe.”
It made sense. It did. But it didn’t make it right.
“I want to keep her naked and tied to my bed, but that doesn’t mean I’m going to do it,” I countered. “She’s a grown woman. She’s got an advanced degree and police training. If you stifle her, she won’t be the woman we all love.”
Yeah, I loved her. I always had. This past week, fuck, had proved that sometimes people had a second chance. I just had to hope Parker would give Poe one.
“And fuck, Poe, spanking her ass? You just took a beautiful thing she gave us and turned it filthy.”
Kemp looked at his phone. “She’s not responding to texts.” He glared at Poe. Pointed. “You’re going to fix this. I don’t care how you have to grovel. Beg. Plead. Hell, let her spank your ass in front of the entire town. Just fix it.”
There was nothing else Kemp and I could do. We could track her down and tell her to reconsider how much of an idiot Poe was, but it wouldn’t work. Poe had to apologize. Make this right. He had to get whatever fucking demons were driving his actions out of his system, and the only way to do that was bare it all to Parker. Again.
I went to the front door, flipped the lock.
“Where are you two going?” Poe asked.
I looked at my watch. “Town council meeting. Parker will be there. We’ll make sure she’s okay, that there’s no fallout from what happened.”
“Great, I’ll come, too,” he replied.
Kemp stopped Poe by a hand to his chest. “No fucking way. Come up with how you’re going to fix this shit. In private.”
PARKER
* * *
I didn’t have time to sit at home and feel sorry for myself. I was so angry at Poe I wanted to track him down and Tase him, the dumbass. It wasn’t as if he would miss any brain cells. Unfortunately, the monthly city council meeting got in the way of any that. As sheriff, I had to offer a report on calls since the last get-together and any other issues I might want to share. The council, in turn, brought things to my attention as needed. Last month, they let me know a four-way stop had been put in on the south side of town and to expect many people to blow through it.
The meeting was in the community room at the library and I waved to Kaitlyn as I went in. I didn’t dare stop to chat at the check-out counter or she’d see I was upset and get me talking. The last thing I wanted to do was to cry before the meeting. It wasn’t well-attended, perhaps ten to twenty people besides the council, depending on agenda.
It was my mother and Mrs. Duke chatting together inside the multi-purpose room which took me by surprise.
“Parker, sweetie, I thought I’d come and say hi,” Momma said. “These days I never know where you might be.”
I leaned in, kissed my mother’s cheek, taking a moment to wonder if she meant I was busy, or that I’d spent more time at the men’s house than my own. That I’d been in a haze of newfound lust—and love?—ever since I took Honey to the vet. And that thought made my heart lurch, my cheeks get hot. I’d forgotten about Poe’s actions for all of a minute.
“I’m glad you’re here,” I replied.
Momma was fifty-five and I looked just like her, although she was five-four and petite in figure. I got my size from my dad, although I’d only seen pictures of him because he’d died in a work accident three months before I was born. She always had a smile on her face and a nice thing to say about everyone. I always wondered why she hadn’t remarried, but never pushed. She was involved in so many activities around town—a bowling league, teaching Sunday school and even learning French—that she seemed content.
“I talked with Ava Carter and I start at the Feed and Seed on Monday.” She smiled almost brilliantly, clearly excited about her new job.
“That’s great.” It really was. An understanding boss was important now, especially if she had doctors’ appointments or needed to rest for a bit because of her sugar levels.
“I know nothing about animal feed or machinery, but if I can learn about teeth and dentures, I can probably figure it out.”
Mrs. Duke laughed, her chin length hair swaying. She was quite tan from her cruise. “Dottie, a new beginning for you. I don’t speak ill of too many people, but I’d think not seeing Roger Beirstad every day will be a wonderful change.”
Gus and I may have headed off to college and not talked for ten years, but Momma and Mrs. Duke had kept up and, while perhaps not close friends, liked each other very much.
Momma laughed. “You’re right. I feel… liberated.”
Mrs. Duke had always been so nice to me. Hell, she was nice to everyone. I remembered being the nervous girl who’d dated Gus and Mrs. Duke had always made me part of the family. Had me over for dinner and one time took me for a manicure with her and Julia. “Ava is a sweetheart and it will make Colton and Tucker feel better knowing she’s not driving that stretch of road between the ranch and town when the snow begins to fall. You’ll be an asset to all of them.”
“It’s nice how they’re so protective,” Momma added.
“All my boys are that way.” Mrs. Duke turned to look at me, her graying brow arching up. “They take after their father. They mean well, but sometimes you want to strangle them. Gus was like that when he was younger, wasn’t he, Parker?”
I nodded. Gus had been possessive and bossy even at eighteen. “Yes, ma’am.”
“And now?” she asked pointedly.
I glanced at my mother, who eyed me with eagerness. They knew about Gus, Poe and Kemp, but wanted confirmation. I wasn’t sure if Gus told his mother we were together or if the small town grapevine had picked it up. Either way, I was in no place to deny it. Mrs. Duke’s older two sons were in relationships where two men claimed one woman. It wasn’t as if being with Gus, Poe and Kemp would be shocking to her now. And Momma didn’t have her head in the sand. It might be a little weird for her to adjust having her daughter be with three guys, but I knew she only wanted me happy. One man or three, she probably was eager for grandkids, just like Mrs. Duke. I wasn’t ready to give either of them any, but it was a step in the right direction.
“More so,” I replied.
Both women beamed and Momma pulled me in for a squeeze. “Oh, sweetie, I’m so happy for you. Those three men are beyond handsome. And thoughtful. They went door to door last March when that big blizzard hit and made sure everyone had power and heat.”
“They’re bossy, too,” Mrs. Duke added. “Be prepared to stand your ground.”
The council members moved to their seats at the front of the room. Mrs. Duke patted me on the arm and said, “Glad you’re finally part of the family again.”
I stared after her as she walked away, then took a seat beside Momma as the meeting began.
I tuned it all out, replaying everything Poe had said. Even now, hours later, I felt my cheeks heat with embarrassment because the guys from the outdoor store knew that Poe spanked me, and not for fun. Well, not just fun. He’d made it seem I couldn’t be self-sufficient, that I needed someone to control me because I was wild and perhaps dangerous to myself. He’d used my darkest desires against me, and that was what hurt. What shamed.
I’d given them… him, my trust, the most secretive part of me, and he’d belittled it all.
I liked that the three of them were possessive, that they would protect me. I felt a foot shorter and fifty pounds lighter, like a dainty female who had Neanderthals watching out for her when I was with them. I felt feminine in a world—and a job—that made me feel anything but. Poe had made his thoughts on my job well-known. He hated me being sheriff. While it was kind of him to talk to Porter Duke about a job, it had been done in poor taste.
Obviously, Porter hadn’t said anything to Poe about me starting to work at the DA’s office in November. It w
asn’t his place to share and I respected him for it. I could have told the guys at any time that I wasn’t putting my name in for the sheriff’s job, but we’d been pretty busy not talking.
Now I was glad I hadn’t said anything, for Poe’s true feelings had come out. I knew where I stood with him and it wasn’t as an equal. It wasn’t as the woman who gave my control over to them as a gift. He’d taken it and used it like a weapon against me.
“Sheriff Drew,” one of the council members called. “Your update, please.”
I stood, but didn’t move to the front of the room. It was small enough where everyone could easily see and hear me from where I was. I’d prepared this morning for the meeting and read from my notes I’d pulled from my pocket. It only took a few minutes to cover my list and I sat back down.
Momma patted my arm, leaned in and whispered, “I’m so proud of you.”
Because of her kind words, I almost missed someone say, “I’d like to speak to the council about the sheriff.”
There were a few murmurs and Mark Beirstad stood. I took a deep breath, let it out. Momma took my hand, squeezed it. I flicked a glance her way and saw her jaw was clenched. She wasn’t over what Mark’s brother—her boss—did to her and she was smart enough to put the puzzle together. I was the missing piece.
Mark was in his early thirties, hair receding at a pace faster than he could grow a comb-over. His belly rolled over a large belt buckle, indicating he had won a few rodeo events in years past. He ran the local grain elevator and was very eager to be sheriff. He took moments like this often to share his feelings about something, or someone, in the community not to his liking. He liked to grandstand, even on a small scale. The fact that he had everyone’s attention only made him roll his shoulders back and preen like a peacock. More like a cock.
“The sheriff is a civil servant, one who serves the community. He, or she, is a representative of the town.”
Momma made a huffing sound at the blatant dig at putting my gender’s pronoun as an add-on.
“Mark, we’re all aware of the sheriff’s role and that she serves the community,” the mayor replied. He was in his fifties, easy to like and even easier to work with and because of this, was in his third term.
“Yes, but it has come to light that she’s now involved with three men.”
Beirstad stared pointedly at me. I lifted my chin and met his gaze head on. I’d been shamed once by my choice today. I wouldn’t be again.
“Cavorting in such a way is not an example we want set for our youth. I move to have her removed from office and replaced.”
Murmuring broke out across the room and the mayor raised his hands. Everyone fell silent.
“Issues with county employees should be brought to human resources,” the mayor added. “Not aired at a council meeting. Any breach of employment is considered by that staff. Confidentially.”
I had a gun. And a Taser. I could cross the room in a few steps and have Mark flailing on the ground peeing himself. I could stand up and say something, that what Mark said was true. I was in a relationship with three men. But I wasn’t ashamed of it. I had no idea what I was going to do about Poe, if I’d be able to remain involved with him. If who I was would be too much for him. But I had been with them. It was a fact and I couldn’t change the past, nor did I want to.
“HR has no control over the election though,” Mark countered. “I request a vote to have her name stricken from the ballot.”
The council members looked back and forth at each other. The mayor remained silent, let Mark’s words sit heavily. I glanced at Mrs. Duke. Oh, she didn’t like Mark, that was for sure.
“Let me repeat for the record,” the mayor began, looking to the secretary, who nodded. “Mark Beirstad has issues with Sheriff Drew’s performance. He requests her name struck from the November ballot for the position.”
“That is correct,” Mark confirmed with a single nod.
“You are aware that it is one of Mrs. Duke’s sons who is in a relationship with the sheriff.” Obviously, my love life was known by everyone. “Is there a reason, Mr. Beirstad, why you aren’t complaining about the performance of Mrs. Duke as a council member? Not only is Gus Duke cavorting with the sheriff, but her other two sons are in similar kinds of relationships.”
Mrs. Duke remained silent and stared down Mark.
He had the good grace to blush, but it was probably more out of anger than embarrassment.
“Also,” the mayor continued. “The sheriff’s mother is sitting right beside her. I would think that these two women would be quite vocal, perhaps more than you, if they had issue with the sheriff’s actions.”
No one said a word.
“The people of Raines can decide for themselves about the sheriff based on her performance on the job these past few months. That can’t be said for you, Mark. They can and will, though, decide on you based on your comments here tonight.”
Beirstad held up his hands. “Now, Mayor, this isn’t about me. It’s about the ballot on election day and having the right names on it.”
“I wasn’t aware, Mr. Beirstad,” Mrs. Duke said. “That Sheriff Drew’s name was on the ballot.”
The mayor nodded. “Sheriff Drew, on her first day of work, made it clear she was just a fill-in and would not be seeking election.”
“What?” Mark said, turning to look at me. His eyes looked like they belonged to a cartoon character, bugging out of his head. Obviously, this was something he hadn’t known. “You aren’t running for the job? Why didn’t you say something?”
“Why should she have to?”
Everyone turned to the far side of the room as Liam Hogan—the previous sheriff’s son—spoke. He stood, hat in hand, his hair neatly combed. He wore jeans and sturdy boots, a white button up shirt with the sleeves rolled back to show sturdy forearms. He helped run his family’s small ranch and was a part-time deputy. His eyes were on me. Not anything like the way Gus, Kemp or Poe looked at me. There was no heat. Respect, perhaps, but it was purely professional.
Liam was two or three years older than me. I remembered him from growing up, but we hadn’t been in the same friends’ circles. I was sure he missed his dad; he’d been a good sheriff and it would be an honor for Liam to follow in his footsteps as sheriff. He had my vote, not because I didn’t want Beirstad anywhere near a position of power… or a gun, but because he was the right man for the job.
“Leave Parker Drew alone, Mark,” Liam continued. “Her personal life is just that, personal. She’s more qualified for the role of sheriff than either of us. If Raines was lucky, she’d put her name in.”
My cell vibrated and I glanced at the screen. Pam, the dispatcher, knew to send me a text if something was important, but not a true emergency. For that, my radio on my hip would beep.
* * *
Pam: Poe was picked up. You should come to the station.
* * *
I read the short message twice. My heart skipped a beat. What had Poe done?
I stood then, my focus on the meeting completely shot and I had no time for Beirstad. “Thanks, Liam. It’s nice to hear you say that. Your dad was a good role model to follow.” I looked to the council at the front of the room. “Mr. Mayor, if I’m no longer needed, I’ll let you finish your meeting and get back to work.”
The mayor nodded and I peeked at Mrs. Duke. She looked a mix of furious and thoughtful. I had no doubt she wanted to say something to Mark, but was too much the lady to do so.
“You don’t have anything to say for yourself? For your actions?” Mark asked me, shaking his head slightly as if scolding a toddler.
“All this meeting has done, Mark, is share your actions,” I replied. I refused to stoop to his level, to get in a dialogue with him. That was what he wanted, but I had nothing to say. I had no reason to speak at all. “They speak louder than anything I could say.”
I nodded to the council and turned. There, leaning against the back wall just inside the door were Kemp and Gus. Sittin
g between them was Honey. Her tongue was hanging out and she looked like she was smiling at me.
God, Gus and Kemp looked good. Big, brawny, even sexy. Cowboys through and through. I ached for them, wanted to walk up to them, have them pull me into their arms and never let go. I was used to dealing with little shits like Mark. But I didn’t have to do it alone. I didn’t want to. But there was something missing. Someone.
Poe.
And he was in my jail.
14
PARKER
* * *
I stopped once we were on the sidewalk in front of the library. The sun had just set and the air was cooler, and I felt a hint of fall. Momma had joined us and was leaning down and petting Honey behind her ear. The dog had her eyes closed as if she were in heaven.
“I finally meet the new dog. And the new men,” Momma said. “Well, Gus. You’re not all that new, are you?”
Gus laughed. “Old and new. Good to see you again, Ms. Drew,” he replied, taking her hand and leaning down to buss her cheek.
“This is Kemp,” I said, settling a hand on his forearm. His skin was warm beneath my palm and the muscles there were corded, reminding me of how powerful and intense he was.
“Ma’am,” he replied in his panty-melting deep voice, offering her a smile and a nod. Well, it melted my panties at least.
“You’re missing one,” Momma stated.
“Yes, we’re going to go meet up with Poe now,” I offered. I wasn’t going to tell her he was in jail. While I was missing him, I wasn’t sure if it would be a permanent thing or not.
“Why don’t you join us for Sunday dinner?” Gus asked. “It’s a Duke family thing and my turn to host.”
Momma smiled. “That would be great.” She looked between the three of us. “I’ll get the address from Parker.”
“Let me walk you to your car,” Kemp offered.
She held up her hand. “No need. It’s right there.” She pointed down the street and I saw her sedan only four cars away.
