Page 58 of Tides That Bind

“Officer Ford,” he corrects.

Officer Ford seems to have forgotten that I’ve been around that time he got kicked out of Ship-Slapped for mooning a waitress.

“We’re talking about a dog who—”

“Is an officer of the law,” Silas cuts me off once again.

I press my lips together and count to three. “He’s more than that to two people, and one of them iseight.” The thought of Lucas's face when he finds out what happened makes me rage. “And he definitely was more than that to the person who is theonly reason you and I are having this conversation in the first place.”

“You mean Nate,” he growls, and takes a step closer, “the person who died because of you?”

The words should make me cower but I don’t. Sticks and stones may break my bones but when the wrong person is talking, well, the most hurtful words don’t have to even sting.

“Yeah. Nate.Yourguy. How do you think he’d feel about this situation, huh? I’d bet good money he’d dig himself out of that grave to come kick your ass knowing you got his wife into such hysterics she ranbarefootafter your car.”

Silas lets out a snide laugh. “It’s not my decision. I’m following protocol. And according to protocol, that dog belongs to the town. Nothing you or I can do about it.”

“You could’ve done something about it I imagine.” I tip my head to the door. “All of you here could’ve put your feet down.”

If I were home earlier when Silas showed up. I would’ve been the one they took away in a police car, not Tides. Because that’s what Nate would’ve done—the right thing.

Pushing off the door, Silas drops his arms and reaches for the handle. “Are you done with this show? I’ve got reports to write up. Can’t believe I wasted more than thirty seconds talking about custody of a dog. Not my circus anyway. Custody is a legal matter. Did you sleep through that lecture in law school?” He turns, opening the door.

Custody is a legal matter.

I bunch my fists, because I know what I have to do. Fight. Because custody isn’t just a legal matter—it’s a legal battle.

And I’ll go to war if I have to for Nate, for his family, I will and with full force.

THEN

I stop pacing and gasp.Riley jumps up.

“Anything?”

“What?”

He motions to my belly where I rest my hand.

“Oh.” I sigh. “No. I just remembered I still need to get the waterproof mattress cover for the crib.”

In the candlelight, Riley’s eyes widen. “A mattress cover?”

“For under the flat sheet,” I tell him.

“You just had me sprint across the yard in the pouring rain and nearly have a heart attack because you said you were in labor. And now you’re talking about sheets?”

I rub a normal ache in my back. “I said I was afraid I was in labor.”

I’m not,I try to convince myself.I’m not having this baby today.

Riley sighs. “Well. Are you or are you not?”

“I don’t know.” In the hour and a half since Riley came running to my door—after I stopped him so I could put clothes on—I haven’t had any more contractions. “It’s not like my body starts glowing neon when it’s time for thebaby to come out.”

“Yeah, well, tell that baby to stay in at least until Nate comes home.”

I swallow. “I haven’t heard from Nate this week. Have you?”

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