3
A Preposterous Proposal
Collin
“There’s my favorite son. Come on in, Col.”
My dad slaps me on the back as I step out of the cold December air and into the foyer of my childhood home, returning his handshake.
“Hey, Pops.”
My dad, Dirk Rattler, was the chief of the Cashmere Cove police department for almost twenty-five years. He’s retired now, but he’s still the same imposing figure as he was for all those years on the job.
He’s also more invested in my race to become county sheriff than anyone else.
My mom bustles out from the kitchen. “Hi, darling.”
I bend down and kiss her cheek. “Hey, Ma. Thanks for having me.”
She makes a huff sound. “You’re always welcome here, Collin. You know that. I wish you would stay in your old room until the election is behind you. That way I would know you’re eating and sleeping and taking care of yourself.”
“Now, Bev, I hardly think the general public would look kindly upon a sheriff candidate who was still living with his parents. We need to show the people that you’re responsible and respectable and the right choice for them in November. That’s exactly what we’re here to talk about today.”
I resist the urge to stand at attention. Instead, I shrug off my jacket and turn to find my dad beckoning me.
“Come on, son. Gary and Sean are in my office. Roger should be here any minute. He’s been crunching the numbers for you.”
Roger is my dad’s accountant. They’ve been friends since high school. Gary and Sean are two of my biggest campaign donors. I feel ridiculous even saying that. I’ve officially been in the running for county sheriff for three months, and the idea still feels surreal. But the money Gary and Sean have put behind my run for county sheriff is very real, so I guess there’s that.
“Your mother made us some of her famous snack mix.” My dad rubs his hands together.
My mom turns back to the kitchen, a smile at the corners of her lips. “It’s homemade Chex mix, Dirk. Nothing special.”
“Ma, no need to make too big of a fuss, okay?” My mother doesn’t do anything halfway. Knowing her, she’s got four different varieties of her homemade Chex mix prepared for today.
“Nonsense, Collin. She doesn’t mind, and it wouldn’t be a gentlemen’s meeting without your mom’s snacks.” My dad ushers me into his office, and not for the first time does my stomach do an uncomfortable roll at the observation of my parents’ relationship. How my dad subtly belittles my mom and speaks for her. I glance over my shoulder and offer my mom a smile. She brightens and winks at me.
I turn my attention to the office, and Gary and Sean are in front of me.
“There’s our guy.” Gary holds out his hand, and when I offer him mine, he pumps it with vigor.
“Soon to be Sheriff Collin Rattler.” Sean starts massaging my shoulders.
“Let’s not get ahead of ourselves, guys.” I chuckle. “Thanks for coming today.”
The doorbell rings, and my dad spins around. “That’ll be Roger. You boys make yourselves comfortable.”
We all settle into the chairs around my dad’s desk. Gary and Sean launch into a conversation they must’ve been having beforeI arrived, and I take a deep breath and let it out though my nose, glancing around the office.
My dad’s dark-stained oak built-in shelves are filled with framed photos, some of him and Ma, some of the whole family, my sister, Tricia, and me, with my parents. There’s a picture of Dad with me the day I graduated from the police academy. I look young and naïve. I guess I was.
Scattered around the photos, my dad has memorabilia from his time in the force. There are certificates and medals, different newspaper clippings. He’s got enough awards and accolades to make anyone jealous.
Maybe I’m a little jealous.
The one thing he doesn’t have, though, is a sheriff’s badge.
My gaze returns to the photo of me and him the day I officially became a police officer. I remember it like it was yesterday. I had landed a job as a rookie with the Cashmere Cove Police Department. My dad would be my chief. I knew back then I’d have to work extra hard to prove myself, and I’ve been trying to live up to my name and prove I deserve to be where I am ever since.
