Dutton
Chapter
Eighteen
I honestly thought I’d never be in handcuffs again in my life.
I guess it’s fitting that, once again, Sheriff Sloan is the one to do the honors.
I rub a hand over my wrists, leaning my head back in the cell.
It’s more like a room with bars for one wall, and unlike the movies where it’s all cement, this one is just your standard drywalled room.
It’s so freaking clean.
It’s not much of a place for punishment, but fuck, I still never wanted to be back here.
My head drops forward as I lean my forearms on top of my thighs.
This is a setback.
All the work Brooke has done for me is just... gone.
Brooke.
Fuck!
I stride to the bars, spotting Deputy Nester at his desk.
“Did the guy I hit come into the station?” I need to know he’s not out there, wandering the streets with full access to find Brooke alone.
I saw my brother’s face when I was being hauled off, and I’m certain he’s not going to leave her side until we talk, but that doesn’t make me any less concerned.
“Come on, man. I just... I need to know he’s not seeking Brooke out, all right.”
Deputy Nester pauses and looks up at me.
He stares at me for a moment, but then goes back to whatever he was doing with the paperwork in front of him.
“Nester, please. I need to know she’s safe.”
“Her dad is the sheriff. Of course she’s safe.”
“That doesn't mean anything,” I snap. “Her dad was the sheriff when that man stalked her online and showed up here. I don't think that guy cares who her dad is.”
Nester stands quickly.
“He’s stalking Brooke?”
“Yes.”
“Why didn't she tell her dad? Or file it?”
I toss my hands up and then drop them with a slap to my legs. “She didn’t think it was that bad. But then that fuck showed up here and wouldn’t leave her alone after I told him, so I punched him. Now I'm in jail, and he’s …”
Nester watches me for a beat more, hand on his hips.
“I’ll be right back.”
He disappears to the front of the station, leaving me in complete silence.
Fuck my reputation. I need to protect Brooke, and I can’t do that in here.
He’s back faster than I expected, and he looks pissed.
“He’s out front, filing charges against you.”
I nod quickly.
As long as he’s not out there with Brooke.
“I … I’d let you out so you can go find her, but it’s not up to me.”
“Richford.” Sheriff Sloan comes in, every step with purpose as he makes his way toward me. “Can’t say I never expected to see you here again.”
I hold his glare but don’t say a word.
“Nothing to say, huh? Now, that’s new.”
I want to yell at him and ask him how he couldn’t hear the panic in his daughter's voice or see the fear in her eyes. No, his focus was on me and proving a point.
That I haven’t changed.
Well, joke’s on you, Sloan. I’ve changed more than you’ll ever know.
“Sir,” Kimmy says, pushing the door to the back room open enough to talk to the sheriff. All eyes turn to her. “He’s made bail.”
“Already?”
“Yep,” she confirms and then closes the door.
“You’re one lucky man, Richford. I didn’t even call your dad this time.”
Thank fuck, because he’s the last person I need to be around right now.
As soon as I walk out those doors, I’m going straight to Brooke. Wherever she might be.
I’ll text Grace first. She’ll know.
I’ll have to answer a lot of questions later, but it’s better than wasting time looking around town for her.
Sheriff Sloan gives Nester the go-ahead and disappears into his office as the deputy starts to unlock my cell.
Nester lets me out and then hands all my personal belongings back to me. The moment the door buzzes, I dart out with one goal.
Brooke.
As I make my way toward the front door of the police station, déjà vu hits me hard. I let out a breath and keep my head down as I stroll out into the night.
I was arrested again in a town where I've been trying to redeem my reputation.
Thinking about Brooke should be the last thing on my mind, but I need to know that she's okay. I know I’ll obsess over it until I see her with my own two eyes.
I reach into my pocket and pull out my phone.
But as if my body knows she's nearby, I stop.
Brooke is standing at the bottom of the station steps, staring at me.
Behind her, my brother is getting into his truck. He gives me a wave and a tight smile before he drives off.
He stayed with her for me.
I owe him big-time.
“Hi,” she says and takes one step closer.
“Hi.” I take two steps down. “Are you okay?” I ask. My eyes scan her from head to toe. On the outside she looks fine, but on the inside? I need to know more.
“I am, actually, all things considered.”
“Is Tony gone?”
She shrugs. “He followed you and my dad here, and I haven't seen him since.”
“How does that make you feel?”
“Uneasy but better now that I have my eyes on you, and I know where you are.”
Funny how I’d just been thinking the same thing about her. I lift my chin and study her.
“If one of us gets to be worried about the other right now, it's me about you.”
She smirks.
“Let's agree to disagree on that one.” And then, as if she just can’t help it anymore, she rushes toward me, wrapping her arms around my waist and holding me tight.
I let out a deep breath and hold her in my arms even tighter.
“I’m so sorry,” she says, followed by a sniffle. “I’m so, so sorry.”
“Hey, no crying. You have nothing to be sorry for.”
I try to pull back to look at her, but she doesn’t loosen her hold.
The embrace lasts longer than I expected it to. And just when I think she's about to pull away, she rests her forehead against my chest. My hand slides to the back of her head, holding her there. And on instinct, I lean forward and kiss the top of her head.
The expression that she pins me with isn't the one I'm expecting. It's soft, almost one of admiration.
“Can I stay with you tonight?” she asks.
“Of course,” I say without hesitation. “Until we know where this guy is, I don't think you should be staying at your house anyway.”
“Those were my thoughts, too. Will it be weird if I stay with you?”
“Trust me, this is something I never thought I would say, but I feel it with more truth than anything I've ever said. Being with you? There's nothing weird about it. It's the most right feeling I've ever had.”
She bites her lower lip and nods. ”Yeah, me too.”
Silence fills the air around us, and then she backs up, takes a step to the side, and nudges me.
“Let's go before we make this any more awkward.”
“Hey, I'm not making it awkward.”
I bump her shoulder with mine.
“You're making it awkward.”
“It's a joint effort.”
“Sure.”
Side by side, we head down the sidewalk toward my truck.
“Dutton!” Mr. Zink, the high school superintendent, approaches us, holding his hand out to me. His wife is next to him, as well as a few other locals.
I glance at his outstretched hand. Does he want me to shake it?
“I always wanted to see you do the right thing, Dutton. I knew you had it in you, and I hate that it took you all these years to show it. Our town needs people like you to protect it and those who live here. Today, you did that. Thank you.”
My hand fits into his, and he gives me a firm shake.
“I hope we see you around more often, Dutton. Now, you two have a good night.”
Brooke and I share a look, but neither of us say anything. We make it about ten more steps before another town local waves at me. “Hey, Dutton, glad to see you're out already.” This happens one more time before I reach my truck. The moment I get in, Brooke starts to laugh.
“Who would have thought punching someone in the face might have been the thing that helped your reputation after all?”
Yeah … and who would have thought that the one thing to bring me peace on a night like this would be the sound of her laughter.
Fuck.
I’m so gone for her, and now she’s about to spend the night at my house.
The drive is quiet and short. I pull into my garage, turn the truck off, and lead Brooke inside.
It’s getting late and it’s been an eventful day, so I’m sure she’s ready to get some rest.
“The guest room is down the hall to the left, and my room is across the hall from that if you need anything,” I tell her. But she hesitates to go into the spare room. “Are you sure you’re okay?”
It’s a stupid question, considering her day.
She nods but then quickly shakes her head.
“I don’t want to sleep alone tonight,” she admits, an unsure look floating across her eyes. “Could I—”
“Yes,” I say before she can even get the question out. “I should have thought of that. Of you.”
I reach for her without a second thought and hold her in my arms again.
We stay here in the hallway, holding on to one another for a minute, and then I lead her into my room.
“Do you want me to sleep next to the bed on the floor?”
Her brows dip as if that’s a crazy thought.
“No, I don’t. I’m comfortable sharing a bed with you, if you are.”
“Okay.” I glance at the bed. “Do you have a side preference?"
Really, that’s my question?
She shakes her head.
She’s still wearing her day clothes from work, her sweater falling off her shoulder.
“Do you want to borrow one of my shirts to sleep in?”
Her hand moves to her lips as she bites her lower one.
“Is that okay?”
“Yes.”
I move swiftly, opening the drawer and pulling out a shirt for her. I’ve been waiting to see her in nothing but this again since the last time.
“The bathroom is just through there.” I nod to the corner of my room.
She takes the shirt, her eyes lingering on mine for a small moment as she passes me to go change.
The door clicks closed, and I let out a breath.
Fuck.
This day has been … memorable. And not in the way one would want a day to make a memory.
I run a hand over my face and reach behind me to pull my shirt over my head. I toss it to the floor, and I’ve just undone the belt on my pants and flicked the top button open when the bathroom door opens and Brooke appears, leaning on the doorframe.
She rubs one leg against the other, crossing her arms at her waist.
“It’s a little big,” she says, and her cheeks turn a dusty rose.
It’s perfect.