Chapter 14 #2
“My place, Sheriff Goodwin, is wherever I choose it to be. At the moment, that’s here at Valor Ridge, helping veterans and ex-inmates rebuild their lives. Now, if you’re done harassing us today, you can show yourself out.”
Damn, she was magnificent when she got fired up. Walker grinned.
Hank’s face tightened, but he quickly recovered, turning his attention to the bunkhouse where Boone had emerged to stand beside Jonah. The sheriff’s mouth curved into a slow, predatory smile.
“Well, if it isn’t my wayward nephew,” he called out. “How’s life treating you out here with the rest of the misfits?”
The grin faded. Hank was deliberately shifting focus, trying to provoke Boone now that his attempt to rattle Johanna had failed. The bastard had a talent for finding wounds and digging his fingers in deep.
Boone approached with measured steps, Bishop at his heels. The dog’s hackles rose slightly, sensing his owner’s tension.
“Sheriff,” Boone said, his voice carefully neutral.
“Your mother was asking about you yesterday,” Hank said, his tone falsely casual. “Seemed confused when I told her you were still out here. Said you promised to come home weeks ago.”
Boone had to know Hank was using Leonora as a weapon, but that knowledge didn’t stop the flare of pain in his eyes. “Mom knows where I am. I visit her every Tuesday.”
“Yes, well, she doesn’t always remember those visits, does she?” Hank’s smile was cold. “Doctor says that’s common with her condition. Though he also mentioned stress can make symptoms worse. The stress of, say, having a son who killed a man with his bare hands.”
Walker stepped forward. “That’s enough, Hank.”
“This is family business, Nash. It doesn’t concern you.
” Hank’s gaze never left Boone. “Still talking to people who aren’t there.
Still forgetting where she lives half the time.
” He shook his head in mock concern. “Town’s been real patient, considering.
But patience runs out, especially when she starts wandering into people’s yards at night. ”
“That happened once,” Boone growled, taking a half-step forward. “And I’ve hired someone to stay with her when I’m not there.”
Walker moved then, positioning himself subtly between the two men. “I think we’re done here, Sheriff. You’ve got all you need for a report.”
Hank made a show of closing his notebook and tucking it into his breast pocket.
“Just doing my job, Nash. Making sure everything’s on the up-and-up out here.
Wouldn’t want any more... incidents.” His gaze slid meaningfully to Boone.
“Town’s watching. One wrong move, and I’ll shut this place down faster than you can say ‘parole violation.’”
With that, he tipped his hat again and sauntered back to his SUV.
But he stopped before getting in and spun back.
“Just one more thing.” He looked around the ranch with exaggerated interest. “County’s been reviewing zoning regulations for facilities like yours.
Therapy practices operating on agricultural land, housing for ex-cons—it’s a legal gray area.
Might want to make sure all your paperwork’s in order. ”
The threat wasn’t even thinly veiled.
Walker met Hank’s stare without blinking. “Our permits are current. Feel free to check with the county office.”
“Oh, I will.” Hank’s smile was all teeth and edges. “Dennis Sharpe and I were just discussing it over coffee this morning. Funny timing, with the break-in and all.”
Of course. Dennis Sharpe, the county clerk who controlled permitting and had been in Hank’s pocket for years. This was a coordinated effort to find any leverage against Valor Ridge before they expanded in January.
“We’ll be sure to file any additional paperwork needed,” Johanna said, her professional mask firmly in place despite the anger radiating from her. “Thank you for your concern.”
Hank nodded, seemingly satisfied with the damage he’d done. “Well, I’ll get this write-up filed. Don’t expect much to come of it, though. Like you said, probably just kids.”
He slid behind the wheel of his cruiser, and the engine roared to life. Gravel sprayed as he executed a sharp turn and headed down the driveway.
Walker exhaled slowly, but it did little to ease the tension in his shoulders. He turned to find Boone staring after the sheriff’s vehicle with an expression of barely controlled fury.
“He’s full of shit,” Walker said quietly. “Your mom’s doing better, and we both know it.”
Boone nodded once, jaw still tight. Then his gaze shifted to Jonah, who stood a few paces away, looking deeply uncomfortable. “What the hell were you thinking, calling him?”
Jonah straightened, clearly caught off guard by the sudden shift in Boone’s focus. “I was trying to help. Someone broke in. In the real world, you call the police.”
Boone stepped closer, towering over Jonah despite their similar heights.
“This isn’t the real world. This is Solace, and that wasn’t a cop.
” He jerked his thumb toward the retreating vehicle.
“That was my uncle, who’s had it out for me and this place since day one, and you just handed him an engraved invitation to poke around. ”
Walker moved to intervene, but Johanna’s hand on his arm stopped him. She shook her head slightly. “Let them work it out.”
Color drained from Jonah’s face. “I didn’t know.”
“No, you didn’t, because you’ve been too busy hiding in the barn with the horses to learn the first thing about this place or the people in it.
” Boone’s voice rose slightly. “This isn’t your fight, Reed.
You’re just passing through, making sure your parole officer sees you’re following the rules.
But some of us are trying to build something here. ”
“Boone,” Walker said, his tone carrying a warning. “That’s enough.”
Jonah stood frozen, his face a careful mask. “You’re right. I shouldn’t have interfered.” He glanced toward the barn, clearly eager to retreat to the safety of the horses. “If you’ll excuse me, I need to check on Sunshine.”
Walker watched him go, cursing silently. Just when they’d started to make progress with the kid, to draw him out of his shell, this happened.
“He was trying to help,” Johanna said quietly after Jonah had gone.
Boone ran a hand through his hair, the first signs of regret crossing his features. “I know. But Hank’s going to use this. You heard him. Zoning regulations, permits. He’s looking for any excuse.”
“We’ll handle Hank,” Walker said, though the threat settled heavily in his gut, eating at the lining of his stomach. “Right now, I’m more concerned about that kid.”
Boone groaned softly. “I’ll talk to him.”
Johanna stopped him with a hand on his arm before he could turn away. “Give him some time first. Why don’t you go check on your mom? I know you’re dying to.”
Boone glanced toward the barn, then back to his truck. “I’m worried about her. What if he’s right and she’s getting worse? What if the caregiver missed something?”
“Yeah, go,” Walker said, clapping him on the shoulder. “We’ve got things covered here.”