Page 70 of Wounded Christmas Wolf
Rob’s uncertain expression went rapidly to panic. “I don’t know what they’re talking about.”
“What other things?” the sheriff said.
Holly pressed her lips together for a moment, then she drew a deep breath. Her hand found Jace’s, and he squeezed her fingers encouragingly. She didn’t look at her dad.
“He’s been stalking me for months,” she said. The Colonel drew in a sharp breath, but let her talk. “He entered our house a week ago and destroyed some of my property, as well as leaving me a threatening note. I took pictures.” She showed him on her phone.
“Are you pressing charges?” the sheriff asked grimly.
“After this, I think I have to. I wanted to let it go. I tried to let it go. I told him to leave me alone.”
“We both did, sir,” Jace said, gripping her hand. “Rob approached us on the main street in town a day or two after the doll incident. I’m sure there are witnesses to him threatening us while Holly told him to leave her alone.”
“But he just won’t,” Holly said. “So yes, I’m pressing charges.”
“Damn right we’re pressing charges,” the Colonel said, looming threateningly over Rob.
The sheriff reached for his handcuffs.
“They’re lying!” Rob said desperately. “They set up those pictures themselves!”
“Son, I suggest you start exercising your right to remain silent right now. I’ve lived in this town for forty years, and known your family about as long. You think I don’t recognize your handwriting?”
Now looking utterly panicked, Rob submitted quietly to being handcuffed and hustled into the back of the police cruiser.
“I’ll take a full statement from you both later,” the sheriff said after closing the cruiser door. “And we’ll want those photos in evidence as well. But all of that can wait ‘til after the holiday. I’m sure this idiot will be out thanks to his dad as soon as the judge sets bail, but with it being Christmas Eve and all, and most of the civil servants in this county on vacation, that might be tough to arrange for a few days. Meantime, you folks enjoy your Christmas.”
He touched his hat.
“Merry Christmas,” Holly said sincerely. “If you’re looking for a Christmas tree next year, keep our farm in mind. We have the best trees and the best prices.”
“You folks do have nice trees. Good luck.” He shook hands with the Colonel, then got back in the cruiser.
Holly didn’t look at her dad. Her hand remained in Jace’s, holding tight. “So now you know,” she said. Her fingers were trembling a little.
“Why the hell—” The Colonel stopped and modulated his voice a bit. “Why in the world didn’t you tell me, honey?”
“Pot, meet kettle,” Holly said, turning to face him. “I thought I could handle it on my own. Sound familiar, Dad?”
The Colonel huffed out a sound, the emotion hard to read. Then he turned on Jace. “You know about this?”
“I swore Jace to secrecy, so don’t blame him,” Holly said quickly. “He was just doing what I told him to.”
“I’m responsible for my own decisions.” Although it was difficult, Jace looked the Colonel square in the eyes, keeping his hand locked around Holly’s. “And so is Holly. Your daughter is an adult, sir. She’s got a good head on her shoulders, and she’s been dealing with her own problems for years. Maybe you’re right that we should have told you, but if I had to make the same decision again, I’d do it all over again.”
“Son of a ...” The Colonel turned away. For a minute hestared off across the fields in the dark. Then he turned back, wearing a trace of a smile. “Hell of a sight, you jumping on him like that.”
“Yes, sir,” Jace said, starting to grin a little.
“Looks like your shifting is back in good order, is it?”
“Yes, sir.” The grin broke through fully now.
“Kinda wish you’d bitten him, but if so we’d probably be faced with a lawsuit ourselves,” the Colonel muttered. He shook his head. Then he held out a hand. “Nice job, son.”
Jace freed his hand from Holly’s to shake the Colonel’s big paw. “Thank you.”
Turning to Holly, the Colonel said, “You know, there are times when I do forget you’re a full grown adult now. Hard thing for a parent sometimes.”
