We visited Freya and the baby at the hospital, and I was met like a hero. Alex squeezed me so hard I thought he cracked my ribs. Kenneth had to pull me away, and I could feel his chest rumble in a quiet territorial growl meant just for me. I loved it.
I’ve noticed that he’s very possessive, and it should have totally scared me off, considering I detest possessive guys. Or used to. Somehow, it feels good when the sheriff doesn’t want to share my time with anyone else.
And somehow, it doesn’t feel suffocating. It feels good. He’s not trying to control me, my decisions, or the people I spend my time with. He simply wants to be around me. Turns out, ten days is more than enough time to cure my fear of being oppressed by a man. The only negative is that I’ve been yelling about my desire to leave this small town and dodge a long-term relationship from the rooftops, and explaining my change of heart may be hard. He may not believe me. I don’t know how to take my words back without sounding hypocritical.
So I just go with the flow, hoping the situation will resolve itself with time.
Kenneth tells me that his mom is planning a huge dinner at her place after Freya settles into her new role a bit more and that she asked him to invite me. From what he’s said, she’s been trying to meet me for quite some time now, but he kept making excuses. He would either divert her attention elsewhere or tell her I was too busy with the Ghost House. I’m not quite sure how I feel about him doing this, if I’m honest. Is he ashamed of me? I don’t know. I’m not sure I want to know the truth.
Since the permits got approved the week after I submitted them, Jericho and I agreed to have his crew come at some point during the week after they finish their current project. When I mentioned him to Kenneth, he tensed up. But not for the reasons I suspected.
Turns out, Sheriff Benson is well aware of Jericho. Not only as the sheriff but as Kenneth, the man who personally knew Jericho while serving in the army.
That was a huge surprise—I didn’t know Kenneth served, but to think of it, I still don’t know much about him. He doesn’t share many details about himself willingly, and we mostly discuss work, friends, and funny stories that have happened throughout our lives. But nothing too deep. Our communication is still a work in progress.
Jericho is coming today to do a last run-through before he brings his crew in, and Kenneth insists on being present.
The second we hear the contractor’s truck rumble up the dirt road, Kenneth pushes away from his car, taking his place next to me, dropping his heavy arm over my shoulder. I try to shake it off, sending him an evil stare, but he doesn’t budge. He doesn’t even look my way. All his attention is focused on the man swaggering toward us.
His eyes jump between Kenneth’s hand and his face, and once they land on me, he smiles.
“Hey, Josie.” He turns his head slightly to Kenneth. “Benson. I heard you became a sheriff.”
Ken nods and tightens his hold on my shoulder. Jericho notices the move and gives a short nod with a subtle smile.
Baboons and their pissing matches.I roll my eyes, pushing away from Kenneth, who lets me go this time.
“I heard you’ll be helpingmywoman.” My head swivels toward Kenneth so fast I give myself whiplash. “Keep it clean, and we won’t have a problem.”
“I don’t think we will.”
They both hold each other’s stares, and I can feel the steam building within me, threatening to whistle from my ears. When I have enough, I push Kenneth, my fingers bouncing off his hard chest. “Okay, Sheriff, it’s time for you to go rescue some kittens or help find a newspaper thief. I have to get to work.”
Kenneth folds arms over his chest, smiling at me. “I will. Once we get your stuff in my car, so I can drop it off at home.”
“Are we back to this again?” My eyes flicker to Jericho. “Can we do this another time?”
“Actually, Josie,” Landell chimes in when no one asked him too, “Benson is right. You can’t stay out here with my crew.” His gaze darts to the side guiltily.
“Why?” I cross my arms over my chest, mimicking Kenneth as I cock a brow. “Are they dangerous?”
“No.” He shakes his head fiercely. “But they’re out of the big city, far away from any…” he shares a look with Kenneth, “entertainment. And you’re a beautiful woman.” I feel Kenneth stiffen next to me. “They would never do anything to hurt you, of course,” he says as Kenneth opens his mouth, “but I don’t want them flirting with you all day.” He sends Ken a side-eye. “And I don’t need to have a talk with the sheriff after.”
Why do I feel like I’ve walked into a trap?
“I’ll wear a potato sack,” I reply sarcastically. I don’t know what he’s talking about. Like they can’t control themselves around anyone with a vagina?
They both snort.
“I doubt it would help,” Jericho murmurs and then adds louder, “It’s best if you move in with Benson.”
I glance at Kenneth fast enough to catch the stupid smile on his face, but when he sees my pinched, angry glare, he bites his lip, trying hard not to laugh.
“Is that so?” I ask him.
“You heard the man.” He spreads his arms with a wide smile on his stupidly handsome face.
I groan—inwardly—and shift my attention to Jericho. “I’m paying you, not him. Be wise where your allegiance lies.”
