Separated

by Jessica Frances

  Tyson looks taken aback by Mia’s declaration, and I wonder if I look as much of a sucker as he looks right now.

  “I love you, too, sweetie.”

  “You’re the best dad in the whole world!” she continues, perhaps sensing her father weakening.

  “Well, you’re the best daughter in the entire world.” He reaches over and strokes a finger down her face then tickles her neck, smiling when she giggles. “Plus, I have the most forgiving and generous wife in the world,” he announces, turning pleading eyes toward Bell.

  Bell purses her lips, her eyes narrowed and fingers tapping over the table before she lets out a heavy sigh. “Fine, no dessert for a week. And next time you dent my car, you tell me straight away. But if there is another dent, I swear …” She shakes her head, and we all feel the weight of the words unspoken.

  “Deal. But I’m warning you now that I’m going to be buying up every dessert you’re selling at the carnival.”

  “You can’t do that!”

  “Sure I can. I need a week’s worth of your food to get me through these hard times.”

  Bell scoffs, “Hard times!”

  “Don’t minimize my feelings, dear. I’m already going through withdrawals.”

  Bell looks to me now, and I just shrug. Tyson might be my best friend, but I have no control over how much of an idiot he can be.

  “Sorry, Conner,” she mutters. “We’re not usually this crazy.”

  “You mean because we’re usually crazier?” Mia asks.

  “Shush, we don’t want to scare him away.” Bell holds her finger to her lips while the girls laugh.

  I’d say, since what has happened in Midsummer so far hasn’t scared him away, chances are this dinner won’t do it. Not that the rest of the insane night doesn’t do its best to make him believe we’re all certifiable.

  Chapter Twelve

  The first day of the Sunshine Carnival is a stressful one, and not just because this marks the beginning of summer vacation, and parents everywhere are panicking about how to entertain their kids long-term. We’re a town of just over a thousand people, yet the weekend of the Sunshine Carnival sees at least triple that coming through. It not only brings a crowd to the carnival, but also our shops see a huge influx of customers.

  Summer is our busiest time of the year, and the excitement is always thick in the air. Even River, who lives for reading and staying indoors, loves the carnival.

  We hire a few security guys to help out with the large crowds. I know I should put one of them on Conner and mingle with the townspeople myself, making myself seen and listening to whatever concerns our citizens want to discuss. However, I can’t bring myself to part from him.

  I’ve been on edge ever since the first two threat, and I’d be lying if I didn’t acknowledge that knowing he’ll be leaving on Monday doesn’t also have me worried. I might trust Conner when he says he’ll come back, but that doesn’t erase the fear that eats away at my resolve. Add in that I’m no closer to figuring out who has it in for Conner, and I’m beyond stressed.

  So, with my eyes glued to Conner, while I try to stay out of the videos that he’s making to display our town to his many followers, I shadow him like some creepy fan.

  River was with us for most of the morning, but as soon as Mia shows up, she dumps us in favor of going on as many rides as possible. I would object to the money they charge for each ride, if the profits didn’t go to a nearby animal shelter.

  “This view is amazing,” Conner says in wonder, staring out over the vast mountains. “I bet it looks even better from up there.” He waves his hand at the large Ferris wheel, and then I drag my feet a little when he pulls me toward it.

  We wait in line, though I could probably pull my badge and jump to the front. When it’s our turn and we stop near the top, I understand what Conner means about the view.

  It isn’t often that you stop and appreciate something when you’ve seen it a million times. You forget the beauty of it. With the sun high up in the sky, the colorful mountains bordering us, the freshness of the air, and the serenity settling deep inside, it’s hard to argue with Midsummer being one of the most beautiful towns in the world.

  Hearing a shutter sound, I look back and realize Conner has his phone out.

  “Did you just take a photo of me?”

  “I can’t help it. I need to ask my followers which is more beautiful—the view or my man.”

  I laugh. “Never been called beautiful before. I think the view wins hands down.”

  “I wouldn’t be so sure. Here, you’ve got longer arms.” He hands me his phone, and then he practically crawls into my lap before he pokes his head beside mine. “Take our photo.”

  “This is incredibly unsafe,” I grumble, but I press the button on his phone and get one that has us both, as well as the mountains in the background. Then, when Conner turns and kisses my cheek, I take a photo of that, too, knowing I’m grinning like an idiot.

  “You ever made out like a teenager on a Ferris wheel?” Conner suggestively asks, shifting back to his own side of the seat.

  “No. Have you?”

  “Nope. Think we should tick that one off our bucket list?”

  I laugh. “Didn’t realize it was on mine, but if I can help you knock it off yours, well, who am I to deny you?”

  I grab his face and angle it upward so I can eat at him as I kiss him, tasting the popcorn and fairy floss he’s already consumed. His sweet lips give way to his inquisitive tongue, which immediately tangles with my own as he just as passionately licks into my mouth. Then he moves his hand over my groin where he stokes my cock through my pants.

  The pressure jolts me out of my fog, and I break apart from him.

  “What are you doing?” I ask breathlessly.

  “I was trying to feel you up.”

  “We’re in public.”

  “Yes, but I did mention we’d be making out like teenagers.”

  “And that means a handjob?”

  “It did when I was a teenager.” He wears a cheeky smile.

  Before I can respond to that, the ride swings downward before stopping us at the bottom. Then the attendant opens the door to our carriage, our turn to step out.

  I walk Conner in front of me, taking some deep breaths to calm down, while Conner laughs to himself.

  “I’m going to kill you,” I grumble as my cheeks redden. While no one is giving us any strange looks, I’m paranoid enough to believe everyone here knows I’m sporting wood.

  “How about I make it up to you?” he suggests, pulling me to the side then around the tents along the edge that have many stalls from handcrafted knickknacks to baked goods. We’re secluded here, and a quick glance shows no one is approaching.

  “Conner,” I groan, unable to resist him when he turns back to me and kisses me long and hard again.

  “This way,” he says with a sensual promise in his voice, keeping ahold of my hand as he turns to keep moving.

  We’re pulled up short, though, when we almost walk straight into someone walking through from one of the stalls, the tent flap falling closed behind them.

  “Sorry, we were just—”

  I don’t get to hear what else Conner says since something hard hits me from behind, sending me to my knees. Another knock flattens me completely.

  Everything becomes blurry and dazed then, as I vaguely notice Conner being dragged off by dark figures. I try to get to my feet, try to feel for my radio on my belt, but I can’t seem to control my body. Instead, I fall back down on my face.

  My eyes close for one split-second before I jolt them back awake.

  No. What happened? I wasn’t out long, was I?

  I move my arm to look at my watch, but I still can’t make out what I’m reading. It’s a struggle to get to my knees, my eyes taking in my surroundings.

  Loud noises and excited squeals echo around me from the carnival, but no one has a clear view of me. No one will know Conner is missing.

  I stumble to my
feet, a ringing in my ears growing louder, and there is a throbbing vibrating through my head. But the further I rush forward, the clearer my head becomes.

  I grab my radio and quickly call out for help, feeling panicky in my search for Conner, giving me a worse headache, before my eyes finally land on him. He’s still being dragged by two men toward the large area set aside for parking.

  If they get him into a car, then this awful situation will turn much worse. The chances of escape will decline, and then there’s the chance of being involved in a crash from reckless driving.

  I glance around us, hoping for some backup close by, but no one is in this area. It’s the middle of the day, so no one is in the parking lot, either. No one ever leaves the carnival until after the fireworks, and given the perfect conditions, most people got here early to enjoy a full day.

  “Stop!” I yell, my voice croaky and the ringing in my head escalating, but part of me wonders if I might be imagining things when one of the men releases Conner to turn and face me, a gun in his hand.

  I drop and roll, finding a shield in an SUV, while the telltale ping proves there are live bullets in that gun.

  Grabbing my radio again, I warn Abby that there is an active shooter and to make sure there is a perimeter set so no one accidentally walks into it. Then I weave between the cars, keeping low.

  When I’m close enough to see them, I watch one open the trunk of a beat-up looking Honda Civic before dropping Conner into it. He doesn’t look conscious.

  “Stop!” I yell again, holding up my sidearm, not afraid to use it if needed.

  One turns his gun on me, but his eyes are locked on someone or something over my shoulder. I recognize the asshole as either Joel or Tom Evans. The identical twins are both lowlifes whom I’ve had to arrest before, though never for something as serious as kidnapping, assault, and attempted murder on a freaking sheriff.

  I refuse to take my eyes off him, but I hear the running footsteps and hear my deputy calling out for them to put their weapons down.

  It’s a fairer fight now, and they seem to realize the chances of them getting out of this unscathed just became impossible.

  They turn their gazes to each other before collectively shifting their guns and dropping them at their feet.

  I carefully approach, aware of any movements they make that might be aggressive, but they remain impassive as they put their hands up in the air.

  I make it to them first, kicking away both weapons out of their reach. Then I handcuff one immediately. Abby is beside me in no time, cuffing the other one while she recites their rights as she places them under arrest.

  I turn my attention to a groaning Conner. He’s sprawled in the trunk, his feet hanging over the edge as he grabs his head. I carefully pull the tape away from his lips and assess the cut he has to the front of his head.

  They must have hit him, likely with the butt of their gun, which split the skin.

  “It’s okay, Conner. You’re okay,” I tell him, helping him sit up.

  “Rocky, the back of your head is covered in blood,” Abby comments, standing behind both men, who are leaning over the next car with their hands still cuffed behind them.

  I lightly touch the back of my head, and when I look at my hand, I see blood spatter all over it.

  “One of those assholes hit me from behind,” I growl. “Get them back to the station and into a cell. Then call someone who can spare a few guys. Gonna need someone to document this scene and bag up the evidence.”

  When she nods, I turn back to Conner. There’s a small gathering already surrounding us, being held back by the hired security personnel. Thankfully, Dr. Espinoza pushes himself to the forefront.

  “Not sure I appreciate the repeat business, boys,” he reprimands as he first takes a look at Conner’s cut, dropping a medical bag by his feet.

  Conner still seems dazed, but he’s slowly coming back to himself. By the time the doc declares him fine, with just a likely headache that over-the-counter painkillers will fix, he turns his attention to me.

  “You’ve got a nasty gash over your head. Might need stitches,” he murmurs to himself. He then shines a small light in my eyes and asks me to follow his finger.

  After declaring us both concussion-free, he gets to work cleaning us up.

  Conner gets a bandage to the head while I do need several stitches to the back of mine.

  I’m itching to get to the station to question Tom and Joel Evans. It doesn’t make sense to me that they’re the ones behind all this.

  “Do you know those guys? Have you seen them before? Interacted with them before?”

  Conner shakes his head, still looking pale and stricken. “No. Who are they?”

  “They’re the Evans brothers. A couple of delinquents who’ve been in trouble more times than anyone in this town. It was all minor shit, though—graffiti over fences, littering empty beer bottles over private property. Got them once for breaking and entering their neighbor’s home. The owner decided not to press charges, but they were trouble. About two years ago, they left Midsummer and have been harassing the citizens of the neighboring towns as far as I know. Their family still lives here, but they haven’t been back for a while. I’ve no idea what the connection is to you.”

  “You think they burned Love’s house down?”

  I nod. It doesn’t make sense that there would be another duo out there who want to hurt Conner. That doesn’t mean they weren’t working for someone else. But who?

  “Come on.” I get to my feet and fight the slight dizzy spell that hits me. “We’re both going to the station.”

  “Now?” Conner doesn’t sound happy about this, but he does fall into step beside me.

  “I’m going to need a statement from you, anyway, and I want to know what the fuck is the problem with those assholes that they targeted you.” I glance around, my eyes touching on Bell before I see Tyson behind her, both rushing toward us.

  “We just heard! Are you okay?” Bell asks, shoving my head down to assess the cut there. “There’s so much blood!”

  “I’m fine. Just a little cut.”

  “And you.” Conner gets the same treatment with Bell manhandling him as she looks at the bandage that covers his cut completely. She can’t see anything, but she still looks sympathetic.

  “I’m okay. Rocky saved me.”

  “Of course he did.” Bell steps back and assess us both like a mother appraising her wayward children might. “What am I going to do with you two?”

  “Bell, they’re not kids!” Tyson grumbles.

  “Where are the girls?” I ask, hoping River isn’t here to see this. I would at least like to change my shirt before she sees me. I don’t want to worry her.

  “On a ride. I got Agatha Shields watching over them.”

  I nod, grateful for the reprieve. “We have to head to the station for a bit. You mind keeping an eye on River for a bit longer?”

  “Of course.” Bell’s words are easy. She has never minded looking after River. “I’ll just say you had to step out to deal with some sheriff thing. She’ll understand.”

  “Thanks.” I squeeze Bell’s shoulder, seeing the look Tyson is giving me that says we will be having words later. Then I walk us to my car.

  Once we’re inside, Conner eyes me warily. “You okay to drive? I can if you need me to.”

  “I’m fine.” I wave him off, but then I do give myself a moment to catch my breath. “Fuck, today has turned into a shit show.”

  Conner grips my hand. “Sorry you got dragged into this—whatever it is.”

  “Definitely not your fault, Conner. And I’m glad I was here today. If I wasn’t … If I didn’t get to you in time …” I shake my head, knowing that going down that road isn’t worth it. What ifs never lead to good thoughts. What matters is that I was there, and I helped stop it. Conner is with me, he is fine, and we have two suspects in custody. Hopefully, this will all be over sooner rather than later.

  We arrive at the station, an
d after I get Conner a shitty cup of coffee, since neither of us care to line up next door to get a proper one, I make my way into the back where we keep two holding cells. Usually, we only house drunks needing to sleep it off.

  The Evans brothers appear pleased with themselves, though they’ve been caught and are in a world of trouble.

  “They talk yet?” I ask Abby, who is filling out some forms by the desk that overlooks them.

  “Nope, but they sure as hell look pretty fucking smug.”

  I walk over to the bars and peer in at the two men. “Right now, you’ll be charged with assaulting an officer, as well as a civilian, attempted kidnapping, firing a concealed weapon in public, and attempted murder of an officer, since you stupidly shot at me,” I tell them. “I imagine we’ll soon have a lot more to add, like arson, stalking, more attempted murders, and harassment.”

  Neither look all that concerned by this. They still look fucking smug.

  “What the hell were you guys thinking? Why do you have it out for Conner?”

  One shrugs while the other just smiles.

  “We were bored.”

  “You were bored, so you decided setting the house Conner and Love were in on fire while they were trapped inside would be fun?”

  One actually fucking laughs at this. “Something like that.”

  I shake my head and give myself a moment to conceal my fury. “You know you’ll get a better deal if you cooperate.”

  “We’re already going to prison for life. What’s a few less years?” one says with a shrug.

  I turn back to look at Abby, who also shrugs.

  One of the first things she would have done is run their names and see if there are any current warrants out for them. With the way he’s speaking, it sounds like they might be in more trouble than what they’ve caused here these past few weeks.

  “You both have just thrown your lives away, and for what? To terrorize an innocent person?”

  One of them leans to their side and looks over at Conner, who is listening by the doorway. “No hard feelings!”

  “Are you for fucking real?” I snarl at him, stepping closer and grabbing his shirt, pulling him into the bars and knocking him against them. “What the fuck is wrong with you?”