She smiled. “You’re charismatic too, Royce. Plus, you’re the incumbent. People love you.”
“I hope so. I guess we’ll see how successful Michael Raiden is at smearing my reputation. People can be fickle.”
She patted my arm. “I’ll certainly pressure everyone I know to vote for you. I know a lot of people.”
“I appreciate that.” I smiled weakly. “I’m beginning to feel like an old racehorse no one wants around anymore.”
“No. Don’t think like that. I must say though, I didn’t think Penelope would allow herself to be strong-armed like this.” Mrs. Numi shook her head. “Shows what I know.”
“I think she’s worried about her own job.”
“Oh.”
“Besides, Michael gathered the signatures needed. Penelope couldn’t stop the special election even if she dared try.”
She sighed. “I’m sorry, Royce. I don’t know how he managed that. I know for a fact you’re popular.”
“It is what it is,” I drawled, feigning confidence I didn’t feel. “It’ll all work out how it’s supposed to. I’ll probably be fine.”
Her smile was melancholy. “I hope you’re right. There are so many stupid, greedy people in the world.”
I opened my mouth to respond, but my attention was drawn to further down the sidewalk. There appeared to be an altercation of some kind. “What’s that about?” I murmured.
“I’m not sure.”
Frowning, I gave Mrs. Numi an apologetic look. “I should probably check that out. I’m still sheriff for now.”
“Yes, you are.” She moved toward her Mercedes parked nearby. “Remember to have Max call me.”
“Will do.” I trotted down the sidewalk, eyes pinned on a small crowd gathering in front of the feedstore. As I neared, I was surprised to see Kyle on the ground with a bigger man straddling him. I recognized the larger man as Quinn Beckett, the owner of Breakaway Bikes, two doors down from the feedstore.
“What in the world?” Nearing the tussling men, I yelled, “Hey, guys, break it up!”
Ignoring me, Quinn roared, “You go near my daughter again and I’ll kill you.”
Kyle’s eyes were wide. “I didn’t touch Ivy,” he screeched. “I swear I didn’t.”
Pervis was jumping around agitatedly, waving his arms. “Get off him, you big oaf. Don’t you dare touch my brother.”
“Liar,” Quinn hissed. “I’ve seen the texts. You think you can meet up and seduce my daughter?”
“Get off me,” Kyle cried, wiggling beneath the big man.
I grabbed hold of Quinn’s beefy arm. “Get off him, Quinn. What in the world are you doing?”
Giving me a surly look, Quinn climbed clumsily off Kyle. Panting, he wiped at his sweaty face. “A man has to protect what’s his, Sheriff.”
“You’re three times bigger than him.” I shook my head and helped Kyle up to his feet. “I’m surprised at you, Quinn.”
“Whatever,” Quinn rumbled.
Pervis hurried over, brushing dirt off his brother’s pants. “What a barbarian. What right do you have to attack my brother?”
Kyle’s face was flushed, and his eyes glittered with malice. “Even if I was seeing Ivy, which I’m not, it’s not like she’s a child,” he rasped. “She’s eighteen, for goodness’ sake.”
Bugging his eyes, Quinn growled, “Yeah? And how old are you, Kyle?”
Looking embarrassed, Kyle raked a shaky hand through his hair. “That’s not the point. You… you need to come into the twenty-first century, old man. Unless you’re going to lock her in the broom closet, Ivy is going to date people.”
