CHAPTER 7
RHODES
I haven’t seen Helen in days and it’s starting to bug me.
The last time I saw her, I had been stalking Dolly’s Place to see if she would eat lunch there.
I got lucky. But I haven’t been able to get over to Dogwood Ridge in the last few days to track her down again.
It has me feeling out of sorts and untethered in a way that I don’t fully understand but have accepted.
She was so damn cute the other day when I walked her back to work. The way she tentatively confessed about going to yard sales with a pink blush covering her cheeks made me want to kiss her. Honestly, everything she does makes me want to kiss her.
I just know her lips would be so damn soft and I long to find out what she tastes like. Will she taste like honey because it’s what she smells like? My mouth waters just thinking about it.
I’ve spent the last few days thinking about her and kicking myself because I didn’t ask for her number.
Honestly, I already have it. I’m not even a little bit ashamed of using my resources to get it, even though I stepped over the line just a little.
It would be strange for me to just call her up without her giving me her number.
And so, I’ve been unable to get my fix of her, and it feels like my skin is far too tight on my body because of it.
If only I didn’t need to stop and check in at the Animal Rescue and Kimball before I give in and head to Dogwood Ridge and hope to catch sight of her. Because, again, I know where she lives and I can’t just show up there.
There are times I wish I wasn’t such a good guy.
By the time I walk into the rescue, I’m almost at the end of my rope. This kind of reaction can’t be healthy.
I’ve spent far too much time at night soothing myself to sleep with thoughts of how I’m going to woo Helen into my life, into my bed, into my forever. There have been so many scenarios going through my head and I’m getting ahead of myself.
The first step is probably a date. That feels kind of pedestrian considering the way I feel about the woman.
Kimball’s face lights up when she sees me and she gives a small wave. “Hey, Sheriff,” she greets me happily.
“Hey, Kimball,” I try to hide the anxiousness in my voice, but from the way her head tilts slightly I’m not sure I manage it completely.
“You’re here to check on our last few stragglers?” There’s a lilt of amusement in her voice which has me softening and most of my annoyance dissipating.
It’s been about six months now since the dogs were rescued from the dog fighting ring.
The fact that there are two dogs still recovering is heartbreaking, but I know Kimball is doing everything she can.
I try and stop in every now and again, not only to grab a few photos for the file, but just to check on everyone.
Okay, maybe I’m here to see one of the two dogs still recovering.
If only I were home more.
“How are they doing?” I ask, my shoulders dropping slightly because I can’t see Stella if I’m upset and tense. Those kinds of emotions aren’t good for her, especially now since she’s been learning to trust people again.
“Them?” Kimball teases me, “Or one specifically?”
I huff out a breath and shoot her a look of faux annoyance which has her grinning. “Yes, them,” I insist and cross my arms across my chest.
“They’re both good. Bingo is calming down,” she gets a look of sadness on her face as she shakes her head, “but I’m not sure we’ll be able to overcome his behavioral issues, honestly.
I hate it, but there’s no way I can allow a dangerous animal to be in someone’s home.
He can’t stay at the shelter indefinitely either; it’s not much of a life for him. ”
“I’m sorry, Kimball,” my voice is gruff.
She’s put in so much work with him, and she’s been putting off even considering whether or not he can be completely rehabilitated. Although I know why she pushed off, even considering if it’s not possible, part of me is glad she’s bringing it up now.
“I know,” she sighs, “me too. I’m not ready to give up quite yet, but I have to open my eyes to what is really happening and prolonging this would be cruel.”
“You let me know what the end result is,” I prompt her softly. “If it ends up going that way,” I can’t bring myself to say it and she nods to let me know she understands, “I want to be there with you both.”
She takes a deep breath and closes her eyes, but I notice they’re glassy with unshed tears before she does. “Thanks,” she murmurs.
I almost chuckle as I watch her shake off those dour feelings and straighten her spine.
“Stella though,” she gushes, “is doing so much better. She’s almost completely healed and is figuring out how to get around without the leg we had to take.
I’m still in awe of how sweet she is,” I can hear the reverence in her voice, and I can’t help but smile and nod.
I’m very aware of how sweet she is. It’s one of the things that drew me to her the moment I saw her.
Even though she was trapped in a cage and surrounded by snarling dogs and so much fucking noise, she sat in her cage quietly while watching everyone.
Then she looked at me, and there was so much hope and relief in her eyes that it almost took me to my knees.
Even when I approached her cage, she didn’t bark, growl, or snarl. She simply let me approach her with a look on her face like she understood I was there to help her. Maybe it was silly, but I made sure Kimball was the one to help Stella instead of the person running the shelter in Monroe County.
There wasn’t a doubt in my mind that Kimball would fight for Stella, and I was right. It was devastating to find out one of her back legs needed to be amputated, but the Rottweiler with a heart of gold took it in stride.
I could understand why someone would want to use the dog for fighting, she’s stocky and strong, but I can’t see Stella being very effective. Which was clear from the way her leg was mangled along with far too much of her body.
“I’m glad,” I tell her, relief evident in my voice.
“She’ll be ready to go home soon,” she tells me with a grin on her face like I haven’t told her over and over again all the reasons why I can’t adopt Stella.
It wouldn’t be fair to her.
“Don’t try to argue with me today about it, Sheriff,” Kimball sasses me. “You and I both know Stella would be perfectly happy laying on a dog bed in your home as long as it’s in a patch of sunlight. She’d guard your home and be a good companion.”
“I’m not home enough,” I tell her again, even though the argument feels a little flimsier this time than it did the last.
“She doesn’t need you home all the time, but she does need a home.”
With that she moves down the hallway towards where I know both dogs are.
She doesn’t look behind to make sure that I’m following her because she knows I am.
There’s no way I’ve stopped in and won’t take the time to see both dogs, although I’m not looking forward to seeing the lack of progress in Bingo.
For the first time I’m not looking forward to seeing Stella either. Because I’m not sure I can give her the home she needs.
That doesn’t stop Kimball’s words from rattling around in my head while I take a few photos of Bingo and try not to piss him off to the point of super agitation and then coo while I stroke the fur between Stella’s ears.
She leans against me with so much trust that it has a ball forming in my throat which is difficult to swallow around.
“You’re such a good girl,” I mutter the words, amazed at her temperament even though the last thing she could be is gentle and patient.
By the time I leave, I still want to see Helen, but the feeling is tempered with thoughts of Stella finding a home which isn’t with me. I’d be happy for her. But it would also break my heart.
I might not be ready to admit I can give Stella the home she deserves, but I’m able to admit how sad I would be to not have her in my life. Damn it. Getting attached to a dog was not part of the plan.
Yeah, neither was getting attached to a woman.
I almost snort out a laugh at the thought because I sure as fuck drive away from the shelter and head right toward Dogwood Ridge while getting an update from my deputies about what is going on in my county today. It’s quiet and I’m more than happy to take the opportunity afforded to me by it.
The only problem with heading to Dogwood Ridge is I’m not quite sure where to start looking for Helen. As I drive in, I glance at the large compound which is the home of Saint’s Outlaws MC. If I grumble under my breath, no one else is in the car to hear me.
I’m sure Lyons hates having these guys in his town, but it’s his issue and this isn’t my jurisdiction.
I decide to take a side street instead of heading right toward the square in the middle of downtown and circling out from there.
And I’m sure as fuck glad I do because I catch a glimpse of Helen’s face, her mouth tipped up into a bright smile, as she steps into a bakery which is far pinker than I’m used to.
Even though I can almost feel the sugar overload, I quickly find a place to park and hoof it back to Bunz Out. As I open the door, I can’t help but chuckle at the name.
The moment I step inside, I freeze for a second because pink is not just an aesthetic on the outside, it’s invaded the inside as well.
Pink. Girly. Floral. Sweet.
Yeah, that sums this place up perfectly.
The bell above the door chimes and Helen spins around at the sound. When she recognizes who has walked through the door, a bright, wide smile stretches across her face. She also shoots me a look which is a mix of reproach and disbelief.
“Now I’m convinced you’re stalking me, Sheriff Wilder,” the tease in her voice has my cock going rock hard.
Fuck, this woman has no idea what she does to me.
“Maybe I am,” I fire the words back at her without caring who is in the bakery with us.
A woman’s gasp has me directing my attention toward the noise. I find a woman with dark hair and wide eyes staring at me. She glances between Helen and me with fear coating her features as she clasps her hands in front of her chest.
“Oh,” I exclaim far too loudly considering the woman looking at me appears to be moments away from passing out, “no, I’m sorry. I didn’t really mean it. We were just teasing each other. I’m not stalking her.”
Well, I am kind of stalking her, but I’m not going to admit it and certainly not in front of this scared woman who reminds me of a terrified bunny rabbit. Yeah, she’s about to bolt or faint. I’m not looking toward either one.
Helen’s laugh is light as she gently reaches over the counter and touches the woman’s shoulder who jolts hard and knocks her hip against the counter.
“Graycie,” Helen’s voice is soft and soothing.
I find myself leaning in her direction without even realizing it, “It’s okay.
I’m okay. Rhodes is the sheriff over in Sweetwater Valley.
He’s a good man. He would never hurt me, you, or anyone else. He believes in the badge he wears.”
Hearing Helen tell someone else that I’m a good man, even though we haven’t spent a lot of time together, has me puffing up with pride.
Graycie’s eyes are still wide as she looks back and forth between us. I hold my hands up in a sign of surrender and fold my shoulders forward while hoping I’m not overly intimidating.
“I’m sorry for frightening you, Graycie. I don’t know your story and if you never want to share it with me, you don’t have to. But if I can, I will do everything I can to help you.”
The sound of motorcycles gets louder and Graycie flinches slightly. It has my hackles raising, but when I glance at Helen, she subtly shakes her head. After taking a breath, I have to remind myself that this isn’t my jurisdiction. Again.
“Th-thank you,” Graycie’s voice is tentative, but there’s an edge to it which makes me want to grin, “but I’m good.” She looks at Helen and studies her face for a moment before her forehead smooths out and she nods. “If you trust him, it’s good enough for me.”
It’s strange, but I feel like I just won something big. When Helen looks my way with soft eyes, the feeling only grows. Before I say goodbye to her today, I’ll get her number. Officially, at least.
I’m not going to wait around for more chances to see her, it’s time to go after my woman directly. She’s ready for me; I can feel it.