Page 71 of Awakening the Sheriff

“Stop setting the kids up against me, Mandy,” I said, slapping my hand on the table. “Or I’ll block you from seeing them again. I will take you to court and pour every last penny I have into making sure they’re safe from you. Do you hear me? I’m done with your lies and manipulation.”

With those final words, I pushed my chair back so hard it toppled over. I turned on my heel and walked out of her apartment. As I stepped outside, the cold Seattle air hit me, but it did nothing to quell the rage burning within me.

As I slid into the driver’s seat of my car, the weight of the conversation came crashing down on me. Tears streamed down my face, hot and unchecked, as I gripped the steering wheel tightly and started the car. I wouldn’t allow her to watch me break down. She wouldn’t get that victory. I drove off, barely able to see through my tears.

This was the second time in a week I was in tears, and I was supposed to be happy. I’d found a man I wanted to grow old with, and instead of enjoying those first honeymoon weeks of a new relationship, I was fighting one battle after another. My whole life was nothing but a struggle, and I was so, so tired.

I wanted a future with Auden, yet it seemed that every step forward was met with resistance. The happiness I so desperately craved felt like an impossible dream, slipping further out of reach with each passing day. And what was worse was that I didn’t see a solution. Auden would say to give it time, but what good would time do when my son refused to talk to me and my ex-wife was hell-bent on destroying what little relationship I had left with my kids?

The tears didn’t stop falling until I was halfway home.

25

AUDEN

Ilooked around my living room, which Violet and Dani had transformed into a true celebration of my forty-ninth birthday. It had become a tradition for my girls to go all out for my birthday, and they had outdone themselves this year. They’d hung colorful balloons in shades of blue, green, and gold, as well as glittery garlands that shimmered under the soft glow of fairy lights strung across the walls.

“It looks amazing,” I told them, gathering one at each side. “Thank you so much.”

I kissed the top of Violet’s head, then Dani’s.

“The cake is the best,” Dani said, and I had to agree with her.

I’d ordered a simple birthday cake, but Brianna had delivered a spectacular three-tiered creation adorned with delicate sugar flowers and my name scrawled across the top layer in elegant script. It was more worthy of a wedding than a birthday, but when I’d said that to her, she’d laughed and said that as the sheriff, I deserved nothing but the best. I wasn’t sure about that, but I appreciated the sentiment.

Next to the cake were several snack platters from Collins Family Grocer, stacked with a mouthwatering assortment of meats, cheeses, olives, and crackers, alongside a bountiful fruit platter that begged to be devoured. The fridge was stocked to the brim with drinks, and we were all ready to celebrate.

I had invited my entire family so Keaton could meet them all. Admittedly, I was a little nervous. Keaton mattered so much to me, and I wanted them all to like each other. The kids especially. If Keaton and I hoped to ever combine our families, they would have to get along. Considering the troubles with Byron, that was anything but a guarantee. My girls had promised to be on their best behavior, so I’d done all I could.

Everyone arrived, and I exchanged hugs and kisses and accepted birthday gifts. A nice whiskey from my father, a LEGO poster for my man cave from Tricia and Jason, a book from Ennio that he said I shouldn’t unwrap in front of everyone else—not sure I wanted to know what that was about, considering his grin.

Keaton was the last to arrive, Milton in tow. Where was Byron? One look at Keaton’s face told me enough. I hugged him, then decided the kids might as well get used to it and kissed him. He leaned into my embrace as if he drew strength from me.

“Byron didn’t want to come. I tried to convince him, but he refused. I’m sorry,” Keaton said as we let go.

“Hey, don’t worry about it.” I placed a comforting hand on his shoulder. “It’s better he’s not here if he’s going to be sullen and cranky the whole time. Everyone will understand, I promise. We all know what teenagers can be like.”

Keaton nodded, though I could tell he still felt awful about it.

“Come on, let’s introduce you to everyone.”

We went through the room, and one by one, he met my family.

“I recognize you from open house,” he said to Tricia. “It’s so nice to see you again.”

She laughed. “Imagine if Auden had gone that night. Who knows? You two might’ve ended up together sooner.”

“Or he would’ve taken one look at my poor nervous self and walked right back out,” Keaton joked. “I was so nervous about meeting everyone. It’s hard being a new student, but it’s almost as challenging being a new teacher.”

Tricia patted his arm. “You did great. I couldn’t tell you were nervous.”

Cora, always warm and nurturing, immediately took a liking to him. “Keaton, I just have to say I love your bow ties. They’re so charming,” she gushed.

“Thank you. I’ve always been a fan of them myself. They may be old-fashioned, but—”

“Nothing wrong with old-fashioned,” Cora said. “And they fit you to a T.”

“I have to agree,” Ennio chimed in. “I can’t think of many men who could pull it off without looking stuffy, but you totally can. I’m loving them.”

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