Page 80 of An Unfinished Memory

She wiggled until Eliot put her down, and she sprinted for me. I snatched her up and spun her.

She giggled. “I didn’t know you were coming.”

“I made it work.” I set her down, glad I wasn’t making excuses over the phone for why I couldn’t come.

“Why can’t you make it work more? I’ve hardly seen youall year.” Ivy’s dramatic flair was getting stronger with time.

“What do you mean? I’m here all the time.” Wait— No. I wasn’t.

“All the time, Wilder?” Eliot crossed his arms and leaned against the corner of the garage. The clever look in his eyes said I was in trouble. “Are you making trips you’re not telling us about?”

I shot him a warning glare, but he returned it with a shit-eating grin. “I meant I was just here for Grayson’s game.”

His grin stayed wide. “But Grayson wasn’t the only one you saw.”

Cody slid his shrewd gaze between me and Eliot. “Ivy, can you go ask Aunt Aggie what she needs help with?”

“Ugh. Okay, but Grayson’s gotta help too.” She stomped around the house.

“Something’s up,” Cody said as soon as she disappeared.

“What gives you that idea?” Eliot drawled.

I glared at Eliot. Not fucking now. Everyone was around, and I didn’t want to be on the defensive when my other siblings heard about me and Sutton.

“Exactly.” Cody shifted his attention to me.

“He’s a shit starter, and he’s trying to start shit.” I shrugged like I didn’t have a care in the world when I cared so damn much. I didn’t need Cody’s practicality intruding on my almost relationship with Sutton. He’d point out our jobs, the distance, the horrible roads for half the year. He would ask how we thought long distance would work after one year. Two. Then three. Too many valid points Sutton and I didn’t have answers for.

I wanted to go look for her, to stand an unsuspicious distance away, and know that I’d be in her bed tonight.

Cody crossed his arms. “I hear I’m talking to the future sheriff of Murphy County.”

“That’s the plan. For the interim at least.” After the last few weeks with Ray, I was tired of discussing the whole sheriff thing.

“It’s a miracle Ray’s actually retiring in the first place,” Eliot said, thankfully dropping the topic of how often I’d really been to Crocus Valley since the night of the street dance.

Cody scoffed. “You’re going to get elected and keep getting elected. Everyone’s expected you to be the next sheriff since you first pinned onthe badge.”

“I don’t like to take it for granted. Kaplan’s shown interest.” He commented on being friendly competition last week. I wasn’t looking forward to Ray finding out. He’d have me at every single sports event in the county, all the holiday shows, and I’d be sitting on fucking Santa’s lap all in the name of community engagement.

“I’m happy for you,” Cody said, his stare intensifying. “Since it’s what you’ve always wanted.”

“It is.” I nodded. My answer rang more hollow than it used to. Getting the top position in the department had motivated me all through high school and college and since my first shift. Every time I put on my uniform, I looked for ways to improve the department, help the officers, and better our presence in the community.

“You’ll have Ray in town to give you advice,” Cody said. “Or is he moving?”

Eliot snorted. “He’s got nowhere to move to.”

I shook my head. “His son’s in Michigan, and his daughter’s in Florida, but I think he plans to stay in Montana.” In Buffalo Gully specifically. “He won’t quit mentoring just because he hung up his badge.”

“What else is he going to do?” Eliot asked. I gave him a “what is your problem?”look. He held his hands up like he was under arrest. “I’m just sayin’. He doesn’t even really have friends.”

“Hello?” I said and poked my chest.

“Do you shoot the shit about divorce and women and youramazingfamily, or do you both sit and talk shop and muse about how if you had unlimited funding, you’d do things so differently?”

I glowered at Eliot, but his words struck home—not the amazing family part. Annoying siblings. Did I talk with Ray about more than work? When I’d told himabout the divorce, he’d made a similar comment to what Carla had said to Sutton.Ah, hell. I’m sorry, Knight. Some women aren’t cut out to be a law enforcement spouse. It’s a tough job, and you need the support.

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