Salvation in the Sheriff's Kiss(67)

“This matter doesn’t concern you,” Vernon said. “Lest you’re planning on wearing a dress, boy.”

Meredith cringed at Vernon’s remark, but Hunter ignored him. He took a few steps forward, his chin raised in defiance against his father’s words. “As sheriff of this town, whatever goes on in it is my concern.”

He had used the same line on her, though she didn’t mind it half as much when it was being offered in her defense.

“He has a valid point,” Bertram said. “Let the man speak.” He nodded toward Hunter. The center aisle where they stood was narrow. He stood close enough that she could smell the scent of cold air and sheepskin. A part of her longed to turn and bury herself in his embrace, but the other part remembered the ledger sheet that had gone missing, and the likely culprit who took it.

Her head and heart warred within her. She wanted to believe in his innocence. Needed to believe his reasons for taking it were just. But try as she might, she couldn’t understand what such reasons could be. Or why he felt the need to keep it from her.

“The way I see it, the town can only benefit from Miss Connolly’s shop. I don’t know much about dressmaking, but it seems to me if a man can go get a suit made to fit in the style he chooses, I see no reason women shouldn’t be afforded the same opportunity. Miss Connolly is able to provide an expertise we don’t currently have available. She was born and raised in this town, and I think we owe it to her to give her a chance.”

“Sheriff Donovan makes a valid point,” Caleb agreed.

“Agreed,” Bertram added. “The building sits empty and no one has come forth with a better use for it.”

“Then we can wait until someone more deserving does come forth.” Vernon banged his meaty hand on the table. “No doubt Miss Connolly has allowed him certain favors to ensure his endorsement. My son doesn’t know what he’s talking about.”

Hunter’s posture turned rigid and a collective gasp shot through the hall, including her own.

“How dare you!” She sputtered the words out.

“I don’t know what I’m talking about?” Hunter left the podium and in two swift strides reached the dais where the council members sat. Both of his fists were clenched tightly at his sides and she could feel the anger and tension vibrating off of him from several feet away. “I know exactly what I’m talking about. I know you’ve spent over thirty years holding a grudge against Abbott Connolly because Vivienne loved him and not you.”

Meredith watched Vernon’s face pale significantly. She had never seen anyone, including Hunter, speak to him in such a way.

“Shut up, boy.”

“I also know you went out of your way to make Abbott’s life a misery and now you’re trying to do the same to his daughter.”

Color raged back into Vernon’s face until it turned a deep crimson. “Abbott Connolly was a thief and an outlaw!”

“Was he? Was he the true outlaw, or was it somebody else? Maybe a syndicate of somebody else’s.”

“Watch it, boy,” Vernon warned. “You remember our agreement.”

Meredith’s breath caught in her throat. Agreement? What was Vernon talking about? What agreement did Hunter have with him? Was Hunter somehow involved? No. Every part of her rejected the idea. But what about the missing ledger sheet? Her heart sank a little lower.

Behind her, the audience had fallen silent, the air brittle.

“Ah, perhaps we should take a vote,” Mayor Greggs said once again. He raised the gavel in his hand but Caleb reached over and grabbed his wrist, his movements so lightning quick Meredith wasn’t even sure she saw it.

Vernon stood. One gnarled hand gripped his cane and the other held the table. His voice pulsated with anger. “I wash my hands of you.”

“You did that a long time ago.”

Vernon stepped down from the dais and glared at Hunter. “You had your chance. Any agreement we had is null and void.”

His parting words left Meredith confused, but it was all he said before he strode unevenly down the outside aisle. His walking stick struck the ground with every second step. The doors at the back of the room banged against the exterior of the hall echoing his departure.

Cold air rushed into the room. Meredith couldn’t breathe. She couldn’t move. What had just happened? The crowd erupted into a cacophony of voices. Mayor Greggs banged his gavel repeatedly in an attempt to restore order.

Hunter turned to Mr. Kincaid who sat on the end of the bench nearby. “Take Meredith to Bertram’s offices when this is over.” He looked at her then. “I’m sorry. Whatever happens, I’m sorry. Just know that.”