Page 4 of Saved By the Ex-Military Sheriff

"He showed up at my work. Called me fifty times in one night. Sent me flowers with notes that said he forgave me." I set the mug down because my hands are shaking again. "I know how it sounds. I know I should've done more, been smarter..."

"Miss." Kieran waits until I meet his eyes. "None of this is your fault. You understand that?"

I want to believe him. I do. But there's a part of me that's been whispering for weeks that I should've seen it sooner, should've handled it better, should've been strong enough to make Trevor listen the first time.

"What happens now?" I ask instead of answering.

"Now I file a report. I'll go have a conversation with Trevor, make it clear that he needs to leave you alone. If he doesn't, we'll escalate."

"He grabbed my arm outside the store. That's something, right?"

"It's assault," Kieran says flatly. "Technically I could arrest him for it. But if you want to press charges, it'll mean statements, possibly a court appearance. I'll do whatever you want, but I need to know what you're comfortable with."

I think about Trevor sitting in a holding cell, about the look on his face when he realizes I actually went through with it. About what he might do when he gets out.

"I just want him to leave me alone," I say quietly.

Kieran nods. "Okay. Let me handle it."

There's something about the way he says it. Calm and certain, like this is already decided.

It makes me believe him.

We spend another twenty minutes going over details. Kieran asks good questions, writes everything down in neat handwriting that surprises me for some reason.

He doesn't rush me, doesn't make me feel like I'm wasting his time. When we're done, he closes the notebook and looks at me.

"Where are you staying?" he asks.

"A rental cottage. It's about five miles out of town, off Maple Ridge Road."

He knows the place, apparently, because he nods. "Are you there alone?"

"Yeah."

His expression shifts, just for a second. "You have people here? Friends, family?"

"No. I moved here because it seemed quiet and far away from Richmond." I manage a weak smile. "Guess that plan didn't work out."

He doesn't smile back. "I'm going to follow you home. Make sure Trevor didn't decide to wait around."

"You don't have to..."

"I know." He stands, and I realize for the first time how much space he takes up in the small office. "But I'm going to anyway."

The drive back to the cottage is quiet. I watch the sheriff's truck in my rearview mirror the whole way, this big black Ford that stays a consistent distance behind me.

The road winds through trees that are half-bare, leaves carpeting the ground in shades of gold and rust.

It's beautiful out here. Peaceful in a way Richmond never was. And I hate that Trevor's managed to taint even this.

The cottage is small and weathered, tucked into the trees with a gravel driveway and a front porch that sags slightly on one side. I park and get out, waiting as Kieran pulls up behind me.

He climbs out of the truck, and I watch him scan the property with the same assessing look he gave Trevor earlier.

"Stay here a second," he says, and disappears around the side of the cottage before I can respond.

I stand next to my car, keys digging into my palm, and wait.