“He’s getting used to it. We were thinking of taking a ride into town to the supermarket in just a bit,” Valentina said, and the sheriff turned to look at her. He looked her over and then back at Lois.
“Well, that’s good. We have a lot of great little plac
es in town. If you’re looking for some fresh produce and things, Brazos Farms is just down the road a bit.”
“Brazos Farms? You’re related to the owners?” Valentina asked him. He smiled. “It’s a family business. We all worked there as teens, and my brothers, now that they’re retired from the service, still lend a hand. Just like Ridge, Beck, and Sparrow.”
“Mommy, I’m hungry,” Kenny said to Lois, and she patted his knee.
“I’ll make you something, baby,” she whispered to him, keeping an eye on the sheriff. He looked down at Lois and Kenny and she felt a little sensation inside. She quickly turned away and stood up.
“Can we offer you a sandwich or something?” Valentina asked him.
“I’m good. Maybe a drink, if you have it.”
“Sure thing,” Valentina replied, and Lois walked with Kenny to the kitchen and placed him down onto a stool. When she looked at the sheriff, he was watching her and it made her feel uneasy. She pulled her sweater tighter and looked away from him, slumping her shoulders. She felt intimidated and didn’t like that he was here. What did he want, anyway? Why did he need to know their business?
“I like your hat,” Kenny said to the sheriff, surprising Lois.
The sheriff smiled. Valentina placed down a glass of iced tea for him.
“You want to try it on?”
Kenny shook his head.
“Are you sure? I don’t let anyone try on my hat. I’m the sheriff, after all,” he said, smiling.
Kenny nodded his head.
Lois watched as the sheriff placed his Stetson on top of Kenny’s head, and Kenny smiled as it fell over his eyes. He giggled.
Lois prepared a sandwich for her son but listened to the sheriff engage in conversation with him.
“Maybe one day you might be a police officer, or a sheriff like me?” he asked.
“My aunt Val is a police officer.”
The sheriff glanced at Val, who stood there watching over them. Lois loved her sister so much. She didn’t think she could ever pay her back for all the sacrifices she had made.
“I know she is, and a good one, from what I heard.”
“Been investigating me?” Val asked.
He held her gaze. “Helena told me,” he replied and then smiled back at Kenny.
Kenny took the hat off.
“I don’t want to be a police man.”
“No? Why not?” he asked Kenny.
“Because I’m going to live with my mommy and Aunt Val forever, and Aunt Val will protect us.”
“Kenny, what do you want on your sandwich today? Turkey or ham?” Lois asked, interrupting the conversation. She gave the sheriff a dirty look, which seemed to surprise him.
“Why don’t we take these drinks outside on the back porch?” Val suggested. Lois was grateful. She didn’t want to talk to this sheriff or be friendly or whatever. She just wanted to be alone and feel safe with her son.
The sheriff nodded his head.