Chapter 7
Chapter Seven
SHERIFF HUDSON
If there is one thing I don’t miss about being a Ranger, it’s being in charge of people.
I keep forgetting Beckett is here, which isn’t like me.
When I was a Ranger, I knew everything that was happening with anyone in my unit.
This is going to take adjustment, but I try to look at the positive.
If I can get her trained correctly, then it might free up more of my time.
"You need to let it go," I tell Beckett again.
I can see she's still stewing about the Tinsley event.
I wasn't too happy about it either, but I have learned this town has a lot of quirks.
They kind of grow on you. So do the people.
I find myself being protective of them and past the bonds of being the town's sheriff.
I know this because I keep wondering why Tinsley did what she did.
She gets up to things, but it’s innocent for the most part. I wonder if she is acting out due to bullying or issues at home. Both don't add up. Tinsley would be more likely to end up in my station for punching a bully. It would earn her a sticker from Kindred.
Tinsley adores Kindred. They have a great relationship and are a lot alike. I trust that Kindred will talk to her about the fact that she put herself in danger with her little stunt.
"I don't understand why you're smiling about this." I didn't know I was smiling at all. I drop my expression, going blank. “That little girl could have gotten seriously hurt or caused someone else to with the stunt she pulled.”
“Situations are handled differently here in New Hope. You’re going to need to adjust.”
“Adjust? The law is the law. You were a Ranger?”
“I was.” I didn’t tell her that. I’m not chatty, but it wouldn't be real difficult to dig into me. At least part of my life. When I went into the Army at eighteen, I changed my last name back to my mother's maiden name. I didn’t want any link to the Branson last name.
“The rules—” Fucking hell, she really isn't going to let this go.
I don’t think her bringing up that I’m a Ranger hit the mark that she hoped. Sure, you’re taught what you should and shouldn’t do, but you’re also taught to think outside of that because situations are constantly evolving, and you have to know how to adjust and quickly.
“Knock it off,” I bark, snapping right back into my old role.
Beckett's lips purse. She has a problem with authority, and it’s past asking a few questions out of curiosity or wanting to learn.
"Let it go." I stand. "Protecting people is just that.
You protect them," I tell her. "That's our job, and not everyone needs to be tossed into jail or ticketed for shit. "
"That's how they learn."
"Are you sure about that?" This time she doesn't respond.
Normally you shouldn't let a subordinate slide on that, but the less talking she does, the better.
I'm starting to get a headache in the back of my skull. This is why I prefer to work solo. I’d rather have a little more to do and less aggravation.
I show Beckett around town, introducing her to different people. A lot of the shop owners and so on. I have us cross the street, knowing that Kindred left her office a few minutes ago headed in this direction.
A glimpse of her will do more for my headache than Tylenol. You'd think she'd be the source of them, but it doesn't matter what she's doing; it pleases me. Except if she brings a date to the wedding.
That won’t please me at all. I need to figure out if she has a date and who the little shit is. He wouldn’t be the first male I’ve chased away from her. I know it’s an asshole thing to do, but I find I don’t care. Not when it comes to her. She’s mine, end of story.
I can’t have some punk trying to get close to her. That’s what I’m trying to do; I’m just fucking terrible at it.
"Who is she?" Beckett asks, seeing Kindred walking toward us.
"She introduced herself to you." I probably should have done it, but Kindred's attention was on me; that would have shifted it to Beckett.
"I know, but she's clearly someone. Everyone talks to her, and you let her—"
"Don't." I’m not sure what she is going to say, but I have an idea, and I know I won't care for it. My dislike for Beckett is already higher than it should be, and her saying anything in a negative light about Kindred would send it all the way to the basement floor.
"What?" Beckett snips out, trying to hide her irritation. "I just—"
"If you want this town to like you, to get information when you need it, Kindred is how you can get it, and quickly," I tell her.
"You heard her phone go off when my radio did?
That wasn't dispatch calling her. When it comes to this town, she's the heart of it. All roads lead back to Kindred in New Hope. She knows everyone, the townspeople trust her, and they will run you out of here if you try to go against her.”
“That’s not how that should work.”
“Did I ask you if it should?” I glance over at her, seeing her lips purse again. Kindred is drawing closer. "Why don't you go get lunch? The diner has a good selection."
"By myself?" She stops walking.
"I'll be over in a minute." I need to introduce her to the owner there too. A few of the servers as well.
"Okay." Beckett smiles, and I turn away from her. Kindred is almost to me now. "I'll save you a seat and order you coffee. Black, right?"
"Sure," I mutter to her.
“Don’t be too long.” Beckett’s hand comes down on my shoulder. I start to shift to get it off me, but she’s pulling it away already and heading across the street to the diner.
Kindred tries to walk past me, but I step in her path, giving her no choice but to stop. “I’ll be driving you home,” I tell her. It comes out like an order. I suppose it is because I’m not going to let anyone else do it.
“Don’t worry about it. You have other things to handle.” Her head turns toward the diner. I follow her line of sight to see Beckett is already at a table and watching us.
“I’m taking you home,” I repeat. Repeating myself to Kindred doesn’t bother me in the least. She really is different to me than everyone else.
“Hudson.”
“We need to talk.”
“That sounds ominous. If we were a couple, I’d think you were going to break up with me.”
“That would never happen.” Break up with her? Never.
“Right.” I try to get a read on her but can’t. “All right, you can take me home or whatever. I’m not going to fight with you about it.”
“But you enjoy fighting with me.”
“I do not.” That chin of hers goes up. One day when she does that to me, I’ll be able to lean down and kiss it.
“You keep telling yourself that, Cupcake.” I step to the side so she can go on by, and I can watch her ass as she does. I watch until she enters the salon, but not before peeking back at me.
Our eyes lock; she gives me a soft smile, but it’s not a happy one. I’m starting to wonder if me trying to get closer to her is only pushing her further away.
At least I know she can’t push me too far away. Kindred will never leave New Hope, and if she’s here, I’m here. Even if I can’t have her… but that won’t work. It can’t. I will have her one way or another.