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We shook hands and I watched as Daniel and the kids left until they turned a corner.
“You’re a teddy bear,” Noah announced from my side.
I should defend myself, tell Noah I was a hard man, a dude on a mission, a trained killer with no soft parts at all.
But where those kids were concerned? Or Quinn? Or this town?Or Neil?I’d be lying.
“Whatever.”
All Noah did was chuckle. Asshole.
Chapter Sixteen
NEIL
I sat in my SUV,parked up behind the office, taking a moment to get my head straight. The morning so far weighed on me, and I needed to clear my mind before diving back into work. As I took a deep breath, I realized my nephew, Jason, was sitting on the wall outside the office, glued to his phone. Shit. Today was the day Jason was supposed to start his work experience, and I’d forgotten.
I frowned when I saw him wearing scruffy jeans and a faded torn puffer jacket, heavy boots and a purple beanie on his head. I’d assumed my sister would have made sure Jason dressed up, but then again, she’d been at Mom and Dad’s place with me, so Jason would have done all ofthaton his own.
I took another deep breath, trying to muster the energy to deal with this. I sauntered over to Jason, who didn’t even glance up from his phone. I stood there, waiting, until he finally noticed my presence
“Hi, Uncle Neil,” he said and pocketed his cell.
“You’re starting work today, so sheriff or sir is fine.”
He blinked at me. “Uhm, okay Unc—Sir.”
“What are you wearing?” I asked.
He glanced down and tugged at his coat. “Uhm … clothes?”
“Jason,” I said. “Go home, dress nice, and return in twenty with three black coffees and doughnuts from the coffee shop. Tell Nancy to put it on the sheriff’s bill.”
He was shocked, his mouth opening and closing as he processed my demand. “What? Why do I have to change? These are my favorite jeans,” he protested, staring down at his pants.
Patience. “Because you’re here to work, not to hang out. Go home and put on something presentable. We have a coat you can borrow, but I want you to wear smart pants, a shirt, and your sturdy boots with steel toe caps. I know for certain you’re wearing a band T under that coat. Am I wrong?” I replied, keeping my tone even.
“No, you’re not, but Unc—Sheriff, this is just a few days, nothing to get dressed up for,” Jason whined, clearly in full-on teenage brat mode. Sometimes, he sounded thirteen and not seventeen and thinking about colleges.
“You represent this office when you’re here. Now go change,” I insisted, not budging.
He groaned, running a hand through his hair. “Fine, but this is stupid.”
“Jason,” I said, my voice softening just a bit. “Go home, change, and bring back the coffee and doughnuts. Nancy will put it on the sheriff’s bill.”
He sighed and then stood. “All right, all right. I’ll be back in twenty.”
“And leave your phone at home,” I added as he started to walk away.
He shot me a skeptical look. “Seriously?”
“Seriously. You’re here to work, not to scroll through social media. Trust me, you’ll survive without it for a few hours.”
Jason shook his head but didn’t argue further. As I watched him go, I couldn’t help but feel a mix of frustration and responsibility. This was going to be aninterestingday.
“I kinda like that hardass thing you got going on,sir,” Connor said from behind me.
I whirled to see him stepping out of the alley. My stomach swooped. “What are you doing here?” I demanded, trying to keep my voice steady.
