Page 13 of Redeeming Melodies

He nodded, jaw working like he was chewing on words too big to swallow.

"Listen." I pulled out my card - not the official sheriff one, but the plain one with just my number. "You hit any rough spots, any doubts about which way to turn? You call me. Day or night."

"Why?" The question burst out like he hadn't meant to ask. "Why do you care what happens to me?"

Because I see myself in you. Because someone gave me a chance once. Because small towns only work when we catch each other's falls.

"Because you're worth caring about, kid." Said it simple, sure. "Even if you don't believe it yet."

He took the card like it might burn him, but I saw him tuck it careful in his wallet. Not tossing it away, not crumpling it. Keeping it.

Progress.

"Better get back to work." His voice came rough. "Got inventory to finish."

"Right." Started to turn, then stopped. "Hey Tyler?"

"Yeah?"

"Community college has a scholarship for local kids. Applications due next month. Just saying."

The smile that cracked across his face - small but real - felt like sunrise after a long night. Sometimes hope looked like perfectly organized paint cans and a kid learning to believe in second chances.

"Thanks, Sheriff." He meant more than the scholarship info. We both knew it.

"Keep going, kid." Meant more than the job. We both knew that too. "You're on the right track."

The Watering Holesat on the corner of Main and Pine, its weathered brick facade as familiar as an old friend. Nina had strung up new fairy lights across the patio, their warm glow fighting against the approaching evening. My boots hit each creaky floorboard as I walked in - funny how some things never changed, even when everything else did.

Nina looked up from wiping down the counter, her curls escaping from her perpetually messy bun. "Well, if it isn't my favorite public servant. Coffee or something stronger?"

"Coffee," I said, sliding onto my usual stool. "Still on duty."

"When aren't you?" She grabbed the pot, filling my mug with the dark roast she kept just for me. No one else in town took their coffee quite as bitter as I did. "You know, some sheriffs actually take days off occasionally."

The coffee's warmth seeped through the ceramic into my hands. "Town doesn't protect itself."

She leaned against the counter, fixing me with that look that always made me feel like she could see right through my badge to whatever was underneath. "Heard you handled that situation with Tyler pretty well."

I shrugged, taking a sip of coffee. "Kid just needed a chance."

"Mm-hmm." Nina started arranging glasses, but her attention stayed on me. "Like someone else I remember needed a chance once."

"Nina-"

"Don't 'Nina' me. I've known you since you were stealing cookies from this very counter. And I've watched you turn yourself inside out trying to prove something to people who might never be ready to see it."

The coffee suddenly tasted more bitter than usual. "Just doing my job."

"Bullshit." She set down a glass with more force than necessary. "You're not just doing a job. You're trying to atone for every mistake you ever made in this town, and it's eating you alive."

My jaw clenched. "That what you think?"

"That's what I know." Her voice softened. "Jake, you can't control what people think of you. Some folks are going to holdonto their opinions no matter how many cats you rescue from trees or barn break-ins you solve."

"Mr. Randall trusted me enough to help his farm," I said, more defensively than I meant to.

"Exactly my point. Focus on the Mr. Randalls of the world. The people who see who you are now, not who you were then." She poured more coffee into my mug without asking. "You've earned your badge, Jake. Every single day, you earn it. But you've got to stop trying to earn forgiveness from every single person in town."

---