“Enjoy the sandwich. We can talk more later,” he said to Kenny, and that really annoyed her. So when he looked at Lois before following Val onto the porch, she hadn’t expected to feel the tingling sensation or any sort of pleasant emotion as he winked at her and followed her sister outside.
* * * *
Ford did not get a good feeling at all when he entered the house. The little boy Kenny immediately went to hide next to the couch, and his mom, Lois, looked scared and timid. She was definitely on edge, withdrawn. He was grateful that Helena had warned him, but also a bit confused. She wouldn’t go into details about the story of their need to move here, just that he needed to give them space and allow Valentina to take care of her sister and her niece.
He took a sip from the sweet tea and then looked out toward his cousins’ land. He had never seen Jace so riled up about a person, never mind a woman, like he had been over Valentina. Boy, did he understand why. The woman was gorgeous and tough as nails. Figured it would take someone like that to get under Jace’s skin. He smiled to himself.
“So, you like it out here so far?” he asked Valentina.
“Yes, sir, seems that everyone for the most part is friendly and minds their own business,” she said to him, and he detected her attitude. He glanced at her and gave her the once-over before he countered.
“I’m not the enemy, or someone who is here to cause you and your family any more stress or worry.”
“Really? ’Cause I kinda get the feeling you are making my family uncomfortable. I think we should get something straight here, sheriff. Helena explained to me about your position and your way of thinking in town, especially all the men. We don’t need looking after. We sure as hell don’t need any guardians, either, or whatever you like to sugar coat it as. I’m more than capable of taking care of my family. Maybe this morning was an indication?”
“This morning you could have gotten killed or injured by Jace. He took it easy on you,” he replied.
“Easy on me? I had a gun to his throat.”
“He had one to yours. Hell, he’s a Goddamn Green Beret. Do you know our capabilities? It’s beyond police academy training.”
She went to reply and then looked away.
He exhaled.
“Listen, Valentina, I don’t know what all y’all went through back in New York. I know you were a police officer involved in special victims unit. I understand that you’ve been friends with my cousin for a long time, that it was her idea for you and your family to move out here. Watching your sister and nephew inside and seeing how defensive you are tells me that there’s more to your story.”
She looked at him.
“Why is it your business?”
“It’s how things work around here. It’s how we keep everyone safe.”
“Sounds more like a control thing to me.”
“It isn’t. Listen, this visit wasn’t meant to upset you or your sister. It was meant to introduce myself and to put you at ease. If at any time you need anything or need some help, I’m here for you. So if you have any questions for me, then shoot,” he said to her.
She looked him over. “Listen, I don’t have any questions for you. I don’t need any help right now. We’re just trying to settle in and adjust to this new town and to being in a new place. We don’t need men looking after us, or others questioning our capabilities. We just want to be left alone to live our lives and to feel peaceful. Do you think that you could possibly oblige us that?” she asked him.
He could see the defiance and the attitude in her eyes. She was protecting her family. He did not feel good about this. He felt like there was more to their story, and he had to make sure trouble wasn’t following them to Salvation.
“Are you in any kind of trouble? Could you potentially have someone looking for you, to come here to cause you or your sister harm?”
She stared at him and then shook her head.
“Where’s the boy’s father?”
“Dead,” she said, straight-faced. He swallowed.
“Okay. I’m going to leave this alone. Just remember what I told you about this town and how we take care of our own. We watch over the women.”
“I don’t need anyone watching over me.”
He stared at her and totally absorbed her defiance. She was from New York, from an area that didn’t understand this type of situation. She was tough. A street cop in New York, a woman who dealt with violent crimes. She probably saw crazy shit and thought he didn’t and couldn’t possibly provide any protection or security to her or her family. He thought better of continuing to argue. He set the glass down.
“Thank you for the iced tea. Have a good day, and I hope to see you and your family in town enjoying all that Salvation has to offer.” He placed his hat on his head and headed off the porch and then around the side of the house to the driveway. As he walked by, he glanced to the right and saw his cousin Jace standing there on the deck, arms crossed, leaning against the column. It gave him a thought, that maybe between his cousins and his brothers, they
could all keep an eye on Valentina and her family, after all.