Chapter 18
CHAPTER EIGHTEEN
Tanner parked down the street from the sheriff’s office. It was time to tackle step two in making Junie safe.
Sam Nelson was already at his desk, looking like he’d rather be anywhere else. His hair was still slightly rumpled, and he nursed a large black coffee. Everybody on the force knew Sam wasn’t a morning person, but the man still showed up on time every single day. That was Sam.
“Well, look what the cat dragged in,” Sam said, leaning back in his chair with a half-smile. “You here to confess to something? I’ve got a jail cell all ready for you.”
Tanner grinned and dropped into the chair across from him. “I may have to take you up on that later. You look about as happy as a wet cat. Rough night?”
“Let’s just say I’m seriously considering arresting Ruby for making her peach cobbler criminally irresistible.
” Sam patted his flat stomach with mock regret.
“Boone dropped some by the other day, and I warmed it up and had it for dessert last night, just a little bit too late for it to feel good this morning.”
“Well, if you like, I can tell her not to make you any more.”
That snapped Sam up straight in his chair. “Now that kind of talk really will get you arrested.”
Tanner laughed before he got down to business. “Speaking of Boone, he says to come by for supper next Thursday. If you can, Ruby’s got that brisket you like so much on the menu.”
Sam’s eyes lit up. “Now you’re speaking my language.
Tell him I’ll take him up on that.” He took another swig of coffee, then set the mug down and studied Tanner more closely.
The easy friendliness shifted into something sharper.
“Alright, what brings you in this morning? I’m betting you didn’t come here to talk about cobbler and brisket. ”
Tanner tossed the envelope on the desk in front of Sam. “Wanna take a ride with me over to Wilder Wealth Management? Preston Lassiter’s been fucking with Junie. She’s too sweet to raise hell about it herself, so I’m doing it for her.”
Sam took the papers from the envelope and looked them over. He let out a low whistle. “Temporary restraining order. Shit. He’s going to lose his mind. You think this’ll stop him?”
Only if Preston’s gotten smarter in the last twenty-four hours.
But Tanner didn’t say that. Instead, he said, “I don’t let anyone hurt what’s mine. And Junie Morgan is mine.”
Sam tapped the document with one finger, then reached into his shirt pocket for the small, beat-up notebook he always carried. He flipped it open and jotted a quick note. “This should be fun, I can tell you from previous dealings with the Lassiters, he’s not going to take this very well.”
Tanner leaned forward, elbows on his knees. “Like I give a shit. He needs to understand this isn’t a game anymore. Believe me when I tell you, this was the nicest way I could think to handle it. He really doesn’t want to know what happens when I decide I’m tired of being nice.”
Sam studied him for a long moment, the easygoing friend fading into the steady lawman everyone in Wilder respected. There was no need to explain. He and Sam were on the same page. Sam wouldn’t tolerate anyone threatening the peace or the women in his town.
Standing, Sam reached for his hat. “Alright. You can go with me, as long as you remember I’m in charge here.
You gotta keep your cool when we get there.
Preston’s an ass, but he’s an ass in a powerful family of asses who have very deep pockets.
You’re my friend, Tanner, but if you go off half-cocked… ”
Tanner stood. “I hear you. I’ll be fine.”
“Right.” Sam gave him a long, knowing look as he settled the hat on his head. “You can tell Boone I expect an extra slice of that brisket for putting up with you today.”
Despite the tension in his chest, Tanner grinned. “I’ll make sure of it.”
As they walked out together toward Sam’s cruiser, Tanner felt the familiar mix of respect and wariness he always had around Sam. The man was solid. And right now, solid was exactly what Tanner needed at his back.
Ten minutes later, Tanner and Sam stepped into the sleek, modern lobby of Wilder Wealth Management. The place screamed money with its marble floors, expensive art on the walls, and the kind of hushed quiet that made a man feel like he needed to watch his boots.
Tanner’s jaw tightened as they approached the reception area. The secretary’s desk sat empty. Not a soul in sight.
He glanced over at Sam. “What do you want to do?”
Sam’s expression stayed hard, but there was a glint in his eye. “I’ll knock on the door and see if Lassiter’s even here.”
“Oh, he’s here. Didn’t you see that Mercedes in the parking lot?”
Sam smirked. “Which one?”
Before either of them could move toward the closed office door, it swung open.
Angelina Darby, Preston’s secretary, stepped out, looking thoroughly rumpled.
Her lips were swollen and red, her lipstick badly smeared, her usually perfect hair a tousled mess, and her blouse half-untucked with several buttons undone.
It was painfully obvious what she and Preston had been doing in there.
Angelina froze the second she spotted them standing in the lobby. Embarrassment flooded her face. She quickly smoothed her hands down her skirt and hurried behind her desk, trying to pull herself together.
“Angie,” Sam said, removing his hat. But there was steel in the man’s voice.
“I’m so sorry,” she said, voice flustered. “I didn’t, uh, hear anyone come in. Do you gentlemen, um, h-have an appointment? With Mr. Lassiter?”
Tanner kept his tone even. “No, but if you could just tell him we’re here.”
Angelina hesitated, cheeks still flushed. “I’m afraid Mr. Lassiter is having a very busy day. He can’t be disturbed unless you have an appointment.”
Sam held up the thick manila envelope with the Official Court Documents stamp facing her. “This is the only appointment I need today. Tell him we’re here.”
Her eyes widened when she saw the envelope. She swallowed hard, then nodded quickly and picked up the phone. “Yes, sir.”
Sam’s gaze lingered on Angelina a beat too long. And what was up with the way his friend’s jaw flexed and his shoulders tightened as he took in her disheveled appearance? Yeah, that was more than just professional interest. Way more. Tanner filed that observation away for later.
It only took a moment before she hung up the phone. “He’ll see you now,” she said, clearly still flustered.
Tanner gave her a smile before they walked into Preston’s office. Preston looked up from his desk, his expression shifting from curiosity to irritation when he saw Tanner.
“Hello, Sam. I thought you were alone. Seems like I’ll have to do some more training with my secretary. What’s this about?” Preston asked, leaning back in his chair.
“This is about you staying away from Junie,” Tanner said.
Sam dropped the paper on Preston’s desk. “Judge signed it this morning. Mr. Lassiter, consider yourself served.”
Preston scanned the document, his face reddening. “You’ve got to be kidding me. This is ridiculous. What have I done, other than give a few harmless gifts to a friend? This is all you, Tanner. Does Junie even know about this?”
“You’re a lying sack of shit. And yes. She was upset, so I told her I’d take care of it,” Tanner said flatly.
Sam sighed beside him.
Preston’s voice rose. “You have no idea what you’ve done. My first call once you leave this office is to contact my lawyer. We’ll see how cocky you are when I sue you for slander.”
Tanner kept his voice flat and his expression bored.
“That supposed to be a threat? It’s only slander if it’s not true.
And you can sue me all you want, you little pissant.
But you sure as hell had better not go anywhere near Junie again.
Makes sense that a coward like you would go hiding behind some lawyer’s skirt. ”
Preston glared at Tanner. “Says the man filing the restraining order. I don’t need to hide behind lawyers to deal with the likes of you or your lawyer. Weston McCall is a hack. I can fight my own battles. I’m going to be a real problem in your life.”
Tanner straightened to his full height. “I was hoping you’d feel that way. Just don’t forget, Wild River’s got plenty of land to bury a problem if it comes to that.”
“Damn it, Tanner!” Sam glared at him. “Don’t say shit like that in front of me.”
Preston wasted no time in jumping on Tanner’s words. “I want those threatening words on the record, Sheriff.” Preston smiled like a shark. “Looks like dealing with you is gonna be even easier than I thought, Tanner. Threatening me in front of an officer of the law?”
“I don’t make threats,” Tanner said evenly.
“Okay.” Sam held up a hand. “We’re done here. If you’re smart, Preston, you’ll stay away from Junie. There’ll be a hearing in a few days. You can dispute the claims then. Until that time, keep your distance.”
Tanner’s eyes never left Preston when he said, “I wouldn’t hold my breath, Sam. He hadn’t done anything smart yet.”
Preston shot to his feet, face twisted with fury. “You’d better watch your mouth, Tanner. My family has a lot of pull in this town.”
Tanner couldn’t hold back his laugh. “Nobody’s afraid of you, Preston. You’re just too dumb to know it.”
“Get out of my office before I have you thrown out.”
But Tanner wasn’t done. “What’s the matter, Preston? Afraid to try and throw me out yourself?”
“And on that note, we’re leaving,” Sam said. “Come on, wild man. Let’s go.” Sam practically shoved Tanner toward the door. Outside Preston’s office, Sam shook his head. “Thanks for staying calm, cool, and collected, you jackass.”
“Anything for a friend, man. Anything for a friend.” Tanner patted Sam on the back.
Angelina now sat at her desk, fixing her makeup, having obviously been crying. He turned to alert Sam, but his friend had already noticed. Tanner left the office. It seemed like a moment that deserved privacy. When Sam found him a few minutes later, they walked back to the cruiser.
Sam wasted no time. “You better have Weston McCall on speed dial. You’ve got one hell of a fight coming. And after you call Weston, you’d better call Boone and your brothers and let them know to be ready. They need warning. There’s no telling what Preston might do.”
Tanner held up his phone. “Already planning on it. I appreciate the help today, Sam. Can you do me one more favor? Make sure your deputies keep an extra eye on Junie and the bakery until Wilder Security gets cameras and alarms up and running.”
“I’ll take care of it,” Sam said.
They made the trip back to Tanner’s truck in silence.
After Sam dropped him off, Tanner headed back to Bread & Batter. Junie was probably wondering what kind of errands were taking him so long. She was still spooked after the confrontation with Preston the day before. He wasn’t taking any more chances with what was his.
Not now. Not ever.
His hands stayed tight on the wheel the whole way back, the weight of the morning heavy on his shoulders. Preston was used to getting his way. He was too arrogant to pay any attention to the restraining order.
But Tanner would be ready. He’d filed the order because he needed to establish legally that Preston was a threat. With that done, when Preston made his next move, Tanner could deal with it himself.