Page 25 of Falling for the Sheriff

“Well,” she breathes out, “in my mind, we stay where we are. We have our jobs and our newly built house, and we start a family and live happily ever after. I want a husband who will be with me through thick and thin, someone to help around the house, help with the kids. Someone who will be around when they say their first word and take their first steps. If you’re in the city, there’s a pretty good chance you’ll miss all that. These are the moments I want to share with the one I love.”

“So, you don’t want me to take the job?”

“Of course I don’t, Bryce. I want you here with me, with us…when there is an us. I don’t want to be up at night wondering if you’re going to make it home, or how I’ll tell the kids that you’ve been killed on duty. But again, this isn’t just about me. It’s about us, and I want you to be happy. If taking this job will make you happy, that’s what you need to do, and I’ll just have to get used to it.”

“If I take this job, you’re on board? All the way? We won’t break up? We’re not changing our plans to marry and have kids, right?”

“I love you, Bryce. And I know there is no other man I could possibly love more or who could love me better. So, no. This isn’t the end of us, and I’ll support you in your career just as you’ve done for me. But I do want you to think it through.”

I nod and offer her the biggest smile I can muster, which isn’t really all that big. “I will think more about it.”

She nods, and even though she looks nervous, she starts eating. Instead of dwelling on the news, she tells me about her day and how she spent her time at the youth center. She’s a nervous wreck about opening day, but I think it’s excited nervousness. She’s finally face-to-face with her dream, and no matter my decision, I’m going to be right there beside her on the day of the opening.

I’m not surprised she’s willing to give up her vision of our future to see me happy. I’ve always supported her in this dream of hers. A lot of people wouldn’t do the same, but it’s the kind of person she is. She’s selfless, caring, giving, and loving. She’s perfect, and no matter where we end up, I know it will be together.

FIFTEEN

Nina

The week passes by both unbelievably fast and unbelievably slowly. I stay busy with all the final things to do before the opening, but when I think about Bryce’s decision looming over our heads, it almost feels like time is standing still or moving backward.

I don’t want him to go. I want him by my side, always. When I think about our children and all the things we’ll do with them—school plays, football games, summer vacations—I see him right there beside me. But the fact of the matter is that he may not be. And if he chooses to take this job, I will let him and support him because it’s what he’d do for me. I know how bad it will hurt to watch him drive away and not see him for a week—not knowing if I’ll ever see him again—but I’ll have the strength to do it if that’s what it takes.

Today is finally the grand opening of the youth center, and while I’m excited, I’m also filled with nerves. What if I forgot something? What if something goes wrong and the whole town sees me fail?

“Stop overthinking,” Bryce says, pressing a kiss to my forehead as I stare at myself in the mirror.

I smile at his words. He knows me too well. “I think I’m ready to go.”

“Me too.” He holds out his hand, and I slide mine into it as he pulls me toward the door.

“Wait, did you pack the?—”

“Already got it,” he says, cutting me off.

“What about the?—”

“Yep, done.”

“And the?—”

He spins me around so that I’m facing him and then he places his hands on my shoulders while looking me in the eye. “We have everything. You’re ready. This is going to be your day. Okay? Everything will be perfect. Just calm down and enjoy it. When you look back on this day years from now, do you want to see yourself running around and wearing yourself out with worry, or do you want to remember the excitement, the look on all the kids’ faces when they walk in for the first time, and the way everyone in town looks at you like you’re a real-life superhero?”

I laugh. “I pick option number two.”

“Good girl,” he says, pulling me against him for a kiss.

We make the drive to town, and it seems like everyone has already arrived and is excited. We park, and he leads me up to the front doors. There’s a red ribbon tied across the front, and the mayor is giving a speech. I can’t believe we almost missed it.

A giant pair of scissors are handed my way. I have to use both hands to hold them. I have been waiting for this moment for such a long time. Giddy with excitement, I hold them up to the ribbon, smile for the camera, and cut through it. Finally, the youth center is officially open.

The doors open, and as everyone starts pouring in, I get swept up in the commotion. Today is an open house, so everyone can come in and see all that we have going on. They wander fromroom to room, taking in all my hard work. It seems as though when one person walks away, another walks up to me, ready to tell me how great of a job I’ve done and what this means to the town. I cry more than I care to admit, but I’m feeling so many emotions right now. Everything from happiness and excitement about finally having the place open to nervousness and worry about what Bryce is saying on the phone right now.

It feels like there are a million chattering people between us, and I can’t hear over all of them. I wish he’d come and tell me his decision right this instant, but knowing him, he’s going to make me wait, not wanting to distract me from my day.

Hours pass by in a blur. My feet hurt from standing all day, and my throat hurts from all the talking, laughing, and crying. As much as I’m enjoying the moment, I feel exhausted from all the overwhelming emotions running through my body. As things begin to wind down, everyone makes their way outside, where there are party tables set up with food and drinks.

It was a way to get everyone out so the staff can start cleaning up and getting ready for a full day of operation tomorrow. Everyone goes their separate ways, finding seats and getting food. I find myself overwhelmed by it all and need a few minutes to myself. I step away to the lake that runs along the back half of the building. The night is beginning to get chilly, and the breeze from the water whips around me.

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