Page 39 of Noble Neighbor
“What makes you think we’ve new identities, Sheriff?” As wary as she was, she needed to pry more. Figure how much the man knew.
“Sunny Jones only started existing in January this year.”
Heart beating like a freight train, she feigned nonchalance, shrugging. “And?”
“Who was your husband?”
“Never said I was married.”
“Your daughters’ birth certificates state father unknown.”
She smirked. “Call me a slut, Sheriff.”
“You’re not helping your case,Sunny Jones.”
“I don’t have a case,” she gritted out between clenched teeth. “And maybe you’re irritating me, Sh— Oliver!”
The fist connecting with the sheriff’s jaw sent the man stumbling back. Into fresh air. There was a mighty splash when he hit the water.
Gaping, Sunny turned to stare at Oliver. “Now why’d you do a fool thing like that?”
“There’s nomaybeabout him irritatingme,” he growled, flexing his fingers. “I should’ve done it weeks ago when Beau first confronted me.” Oliver moved to the edge of the dock and peered down at the spluttering man. “Leave Sunny, and her girls, alone.”
She was exhausted,Oliver thought, as they made their way back from the dock. Shoulders slumped, with her gaze fixed firmly on the ground, she walked in silence beside him. He wanted to deck Beau all over again for killing her happy buzz from earlier.
Thankfully, the fireworks were starting, distracting folks, so their return to where the others waited went unnoticed.
When he’d asked Sunny a few minutes ago if shewanted him to collect the girls and meet her at her vehicle,she’d said no. “I don’t want to disappoint them. We’ll leave after the fireworks as planned.”
He did a quick scan of their group as they neared. The kids were all huddled together, engrossed by the colorful display in the sky, and seemed unaware of the drama of earlier. He had his father to thank for that. It had also been his parent who’d alerted him after overhearing the women’s conversation.
Oliver gave the man a grateful nod where he sat behind Kenzie and Molly, keeping a watchful eye on the two. Hooch, wedged between the girls, lifted his head at their approach.
Bella and Ruth both stood, the latter wringing her hands, looking worried.
Bella, the braver of the two, walked over. “Sunny … I …”
Sunny raised her head and looked her friend in the eye. “Please. Not now.”
“But—”
“Bella.” Nate placed an arm around his wife’s shoulders and urged her away. “You’ve done enough tonight.” Bella cast a last desperate look at Sunny before heeding her husband.
Ruth sank back to the ground, hanging her head.
Oliver reckoned both women were kicking themselves, but then they deserved it for their tactlessness.
Sunny sniffled beside him.
“Hey.” He moved in front of her, lifting her chin with the tips of his fingers. “You’ve got this, Sunny. Fireworks. Then home. The rest can wait.”
“Okay, Oliver.”
Her quiet acquiescence broke his heart, and he gathered Sunny against his chest in an embrace, only releasing her when Hooch nudged his head between their legs.
“Hey, boy,” she said, falling to her knees and hugging the hound to her. Oliver took position on the other side,not touching her, but his arms stretched wide as he leaned back on them, effectively boxing her in from behind.
Nobody was getting near her again tonight.
