Page 29 of Awakening the Sheriff

When he spotted us, he sat up straight, and for a moment, I saw my little boy underneath that tough-guy exterior, one who was scared and needed his dad. How did I connect to that part of him? What could I do to be there for him, be the dad he needed?

“Byron.” I hadn’t been able to keep the anger and disappointment out of my voice, but who could blame me?

His mask fell into place again. “Dad.”

I blew out a breath, curling my hands into fists.Lord, give me patience.“I don’t need to tell you how disappointed I am with your behavior.”

He hunched over. “Yeah.”

Okay, that was more of a reaction than I had expected. “Sheriff Frant has agreed to handle this without getting the courts involved, but you’re going to have to do community service.”

Surprise flickered in his eyes. “The owner isn’t pressing charges?”

“He’s agreed to let me handle it, since he trusts my judgment,” Auden said, and he’d never sounded so stern. It was all kinds of wrong, but I liked that tone. It was strangely arousing, and how messed up was that?

Byron hesitated. “Thank you,” he said softly.

More progress. A stupid thing to be happy about, but I was. A tiny step was still a step, and I’d take it.

“Byron, I want to make something crystal clear.” Auden waited until Byron looked at him. “This is a onetime deal you’re getting. If I have to arrest you again, I’ll have no choice but to put you into the system, and trust me, you don’t want that. A juvenile record will affect your future for years to come, so don’t go down that road. You’ll regret it for the rest of your life.”

Byron said nothing, but emotions played over his face. Was Auden getting through to him?Please, let it be so.

“Am I making myself clear?” Auden asked.

“Yes.” One raised eyebrow from Auden, and my son quickly said, “Yes, sir.”

“Good. I’ll let your father know when I expect you to show up for your community service.”

“Is everyone gonna know?”

“No. I’ll make it look like you volunteered.”

“What will I have to do?”

“No idea yet, but I’m sure I can find some project that can make use of your time and talents.”

“Okay. Sir.”

Wow, manners. I never knew my son had them, but with Auden, he did.

Auden unlocked the cell, driving home that Byron had been locked up. Maybe it registered with him as well because fear returned in his eyes. “Am I free to go?”

“Yes. Your dad will take you home, where I’m sure he’ll have some additional disciplinary matters for you.”

Right. Good suggestion. “You’d better believe it.”

The surprise on Byron’s face informed me he hadn’t expected that, and that truth hit me hard. Why would he not expect me to punish him when he did something like this? Had I let him get away with so much? Had I thrown in the towel without realizing it when it came to correcting and disciplining him? Oh, I didn’t like that thought at all.

As we walked out, Auden gave me an encouraging squeeze on my shoulder, but that notion wouldn’t let go of me. Auden had told me I needed to be strict with Byron. I’d assured him I had tried everything, but had I really? I detested authoritative parenting, but was it possible that, as a result, I had swung too far in the other direction? Had I been too soft and lenient with him?

I wasn’t sure, but I had to try. If being stricter could help my son find his way back, then I would be that parent, no matter how unnatural it came to me. Byron was all that mattered, and I would not stand by and watch my son self-destruct.

11

AUDEN

As I stepped inside the senior center on a Tuesday evening, the warmth embraced me, banishing the February cold. Valentine’s Day had always been a holiday to me that felt forced and commercial, but the seniors at the community center loved it. Colorful paintings and photographs covered the walls of the foyer, showcasing the creative talents of Forestville’s golden-aged residents. Red, pink, and white streamers hung from ceiling to floor, with hearts of various sizes attached to them.

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