Chapter 36 - Lily
Lily
Our joined arms swung between us, casual yet still intimate.
“What’s the rest of your day like?” I asked.
“After our stuff? Prep for leaving. Time with Weston.” Dean stopped us on the sidewalk and zipped up the small gap in my coat. “What about you? “
“I’m coming with you to the sheriff first. You can’t go by yourself.”
That amused him. “Are you my bodyguard now?”
He meant it as a joke, but I gave a serious answer. “We all deserve to be looked after. Especially you. Just because you spent most of your life alone doesn’t mean you are now.”
Dean’s boot scuffed the concrete beneath us. “Then let’s get it over with. Come on.”
“Why are we visiting him?” I asked before we entered City Hall.
His lips drew into a wry smile. “My never-ending suspicion and trust issues, based upon childhood trauma.”
He pulled me forward. I held my ground. “Dean. Be serious.”
“I am serious.”
I pinched his chin, using it to tilt his head back and forth. “That’s it?”
“What do you want me to say? Stop looking for problems, and that’s when they appear.”
I gave up. “You should let me do the talking.”
We found the sheriff at his desk in City Hall, barking orders to his daughter as if she were a lowly servant.
“I expect my uniform clean and dry before this evening. Appearances matter, Rosemary. I’d like it done before you move on to the rest,” the sheriff said.
Sheriff Gustafson, clean-shaven as always, already wore a suitable uniform. Considering the work Deer Lake demanded from Rose, her devoting an entire day to cleaning his spare made no sense.
Rose stared at the floor, her slumped shoulders obscuring her red face.
The sheriff continued despite our arrival.
“I also want lunch at noon. Take care of Julian while you’re at it.
He’s as busy as I am, so let’s not waste his time.
You may go. I have visitors waiting for me.
” The sheriff gestured towards Dean, giving him a smile that blended insincere and professional.
Rose flew past, sparing a glance in my direction, long enough for me to glimpse the sheen in her red-rimmed eyes.
Sheriff Gustafson’s features twisted as he sized up Dean. “I should have expected you this morning. Julian will not accompany you tomorrow, as I require his presence here rather than on your trip. There’s much to do, and I depend on him. I’m sure you understand.”
I spoke first. “They’ll miss Julian, I’m sure, but if the town needs him more. We understand.” My impromptu decision to join Dean turned out well.
Dean’s hand drew into a fist. “Oh, that’s a damn shame,” he said, though his dry tone gave the lie to his words.
The sheriff frowned. “Zeke Smythe as well. That was an unpleasant business. The Foster boy shouldn’t suffer because of his father’s poor decisions.”
I interjected, cutting off another ill-timed retort from Dean. “He’s a sweet young man.”
“Yes, the innocent shouldn’t suffer because of assholes,” Dean said.
I grimaced.
“Indeed.” Sheriff Gustafson leaned back in his chair, resting his hands across his stomach. “I’ve assigned three men to accompany you. You’ll have no trouble from them. I’d suggest avoiding any delays, though. With the snow’s early arrival, it’ll get worse. We wouldn’t want you trapped out there.”
Dean’s expression changed, reminding me of the one he wore at that dollar store after we met Ray and his wife. Deliberating between two choices. Which one would he pick?
He’d killed a man with his bare hands. I had a decent guess. “The sheriff has a point. The extra help will prove useful.”
Dean’s stance relaxed as he drew back on his heels. “There will be more risk this time. Any chance of weapons or ammunition?”
“I wish that were an option, but there isn’t enough to go around. My men are in nearby towns for their protection, what with these robbery reports we’ve received. Bandits in the area, terrorizing people. There was another just last night. Horrible business. I’m sure you’ll understand.”
“No doubt. I’m sure they appreciate your protection. Do we return supplies to the same location? With the recent weather and trouble in the area, it may be wise to split our resources. Create another safe house,” Dean said.
The sheriff’s lips tightened. “There’s no safer place than here in town with us.”
“You’re right.” Dean nodded. “Forget I asked. Years of experience lead to overthinking.” He tapped his forehead.
What did I miss? Rather than discuss what he found at the grocery store last night, our conversation had derailed into other topics before we stopped speaking at all. My fault, as I worried for his well-being more than that of Deer Lake.
“Anything else?” I asked. “If not, I’ll find Rose and offer some help. We’ll take care of Julian as well.”
That was a mistake. Dean tensed at the man’s name.
“Your father is due back tomorrow, if I recall. It’ll do us good to have you both for dinner soon.”
A wretched idea. “Sounds lovely. I’ll arrange it with Rose. We’ll see you this evening, sheriff.”
“Oh, yes. The meeting. Your father’s idea. We’re announcing a party.”
“A party?” I asked.
“Your father seems to believe cheer will do us all good. He may be right about that. Well, appreciate the visit.” The sheriff picked up a piece of paper, dismissing us.
Dean gestured toward the door, and we left.
“Let’s get out of this place. It’s claustrophobic,” Dean said in the main lobby area.
The door opened, and Julian entered, blocking our escape. “You looking for Rose? She went that way,” he said, pointing behind him with his thumb. “Said she isn’t feeling well.”
“Your sheriff uncle said you aren’t coming with us tomorrow,” Dean said, and I winced. “Bummer.”
“I wish I were going, but with these robberies in the area, it’s not possible. My uncle needs me here right now. I can pick more men if you think you’ll need them for protection, of course.”
“I’m sure whoever your uncle chose will do fine.” Dean relaxed his grip on my hand. “Let’s go. I have several long days ahead of me. A lot still to do.”
“I get that,” Julian said as he moved past us. “Don’t worry about Lily or Bill. They’ll be safe here with us watching out for them.”
Dean’s expression changed. Any lingering doubts about my decision not to reveal my conversation with Julian faded.
Dean would kill him if presented with a reason or opportunity, and I didn’t want to cause further conflict or trigger a jealous rage.
Julian had committed no wrongdoing. “Let’s go. I want to see Rose after this.”
“Sounds good,” Dean said. He whistled as we exited City Hall.