Page 18 of Winter Wrangler

His reaction seems genuine, like he might not have known, but I’m not giving Deputy Dumbass, as Joy called him, any slack.

“Tell her next time to use the eyeshadow without the shimmer.”

I sit back in my chair and cross my arms over my chest. “Now you either let me go or give me my phone call. Or do you want to try to lie to me again?” I use his words against him, and his head snaps up.

He’s silent for half a second before he snatches the pictures and the folder off the table. He gets up from his chair so quickly it almost topples backwards, but he doesn’t say a word as he storms out of the room.

When the door slams behind him, I shake my head. What a fucking asshole. I look at the two-way glass on the wall to my left and wonder if there’s anyone on the other side. This isn’t how I was planning on spending tonight, but if it takes staying in jail to keep this guy from fucking with Joy, then so be it.

Her own flesh and blood is doing this to hurt her, and I shake my head in dismay. There are people who put importance on relationships because of those biological connections, but that means nothing to me. Sharing DNA doesn’t make someone important; it makes them familiar. The people who treat us with kindness, show us respect, and give us love without conditions are the ones that are family. As I sit there and wait for what comes next, I make a silent vow to Joy. I promise to always stand between her and whatever they try to do to bring her down.

She deserves better. No, she deserves the best. And I’m determined to give it to her.

Chapter Thirteen

JOY

This isn't going to work, but I don’t have much of a choice. I can’t sit on my ass and do nothing. Not when this is my fault. If Devin had never tangled his life with mine, he’d be home right now. Not only that, it has been all drama for him since I entered his life. I never even had that much drama before I started working for him. If you can call what I do “working.” I haven’t done much of that either. Gah!

The second I turn into Bronte’s driveway, she comes rushing out of her tiny house. Despite its small size, the house exudes charm and is distinctly Bronte-esque. The girl painted her shutters and door pink and chose holiday lights to match.

Bronte freezes as she approaches the truck, then turns around and retreats into her house. I wait because I know she’ll be back. Bronte can be a bit scattered. She can do five million things at once but also forget random small things. When she reappears a minute later with her coat on and knitted hat to cover her wild curls, I know why she went back.

“Sorry!” she apologizes as soon as she opens the truck's passenger door.

“You’re doing me the favor, Bronte, no need to apologize.”

“How do you get into this thing?” I bend over and grab a few books and an iPad from her, allowing her to climb inside. Bronte is tiny in every way.

“It’s all I had.” I hope Devin doesn't mind that I'm using his truck. This thing is a beast.

“You do look pretty cool in it.” Bronte shuts the door behind her. “Damn it.” She pulls off her glasses when the heat inside the truck fogs them over. “I knew I should have gotten the anti-fog option, but it was fifty dollars. That's the equivalent of five sugar-cookie coffees." She holds up her hand, wiggling all five of her fingers at me. "Crap, I forgot my gloves."

I don’t think Bronte needs coffee, but I keep that to myself. She is helping me out, after all. When she left for a couple of years to finish her paralegal degree, I missed her like crazy. I honestly didn’t think she would come back, but she has, and I’m selfishly thrilled. She said the big city wasn’t for her and something about a jerk boss.

Now that she is working from home, I believe she primarily conducts research. I was surprised when she didn’t apply at the new law office that moved into town.

“I tried to call that fancy new lawyer in town, and it went to voicemail,” I tell her when I pull out of the driveway. I wasn’t surprised. It’s the holiday season and after hours.

“Really?” Bronte scrunches her nose.

“What? Should I not have called them?” I haven’t been working at the diner for long, and I’m already missing gossip.

“He’s good.” Bronte lets out a small huff, as if this is a bad thing. I want to ask her more, but right now it doesn’t matter. “Now.” She puts her glasses back on. “Go over everything one more time.”

Bronte isn’t a lawyer, but I’m hoping she can help. She’s wicked smart when it comes to things she’s interested in.

While I drive to town, I give her a more detailed rundown than I did when I’d called her earlier. When I told her everything before, I was too worked up and forgot a few things.

“He spanked you?” she asks, and heat rushes to my face.

“I was letting you know because Deputy Dumbass might have seen it through the window.”

“Right,” Bronte whispers.

I glance over and see her teeth sink into her bottom lip. I might not be the only one that enjoys it, but who would be spanking Bronte? I don’t recall her dating, but she’s been away for a few years, so maybe it was someone out of town.

“My aunt is full of shit,” I finish as I pull the truck into the police station.

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