Page 3 of Rules

"We have a hit. His accounts were accessed an hour ago. Four large withdrawals from four different banks all heading the other way from Chicago. The ladies are getting the bank video coverage and tracing the transactions now."

"Seems like a cloak and dagger to me." My free hand curled into a fist. "He's crafty."

"I think Cameron was right. Michael had plans for every contingency."

"Keep me updated. I'm heading to the Whitakers." I hung up and grabbed my keys.

"I'll call. Be careful out there." The concern in her voice echoed my own unease.

The drive to Evelyn's gave me too much time to think. About Michael. Conniving, capable, crafty were all words that popped into my mind. One thing was certain: if Michael was prepared for whatever came his way, then I needed to be too. It was time for me to embrace the Scout motto - always be prepared.

"Call Holly office," I spoke to my car.

"What did you forget?" she answered.

"Nothing. Get a hold of the deputies. I want all of us to be in a meeting tomorrow morning at eight a.m. You too."

"A time to circle the wagons meeting?" she asked in her 'time to get serious' tone.

"Exactly."

With the wheels in motion for the meeting, I realized where I was, passing Ruth's shop. I unconsciously slowed, watching the back of her building. Her storefront faced into the strip mall parking lot so I wasn't able to see if she was there. Which was probably a good thing because there was no viable reason on the planet that I needed to be in her presence. And yet that's where I wanted to be.

The reasons a relationship with Ruth wouldn't work were always bubbling right below the surface. The age gap between us being the main one. I winced at the thought of hearing people saying I robbed the cradle. If only it was significant enough to raise eyebrows. I know people like Ruth and speak highly of her, but I'm an elected official. My job is to serve the people, not give them ammunition to gossip about me. Holly's voice spoke in my head: "People will always talk and there will always be drama. It's unavoidable." I know she's right, but I don't want to be the source of the drama. Nor do I want to give people a reason to think I can't do my job. Not that I'm all that fucking great at doing my damn job. After what happened with Michael, I'm shocked I still have a job. Learning how he could infiltrate even the most secure systems, twist and use anyone's secrets against them, and know a person's patterns and habits. Starting something with Ruth now would just paint a giant target on her back. And that's something I can't allow.

The thought of what I would do to him if he hurt her seeped into my mind.

"Focus," I muttered to myself, pressing the accelerator. "He's not even here. Let's handle one crisis at a time."

Evelyn was waiting on her porch when I pulled up. One look at my face and she knew.

"Come in and tell us what happened." Her voice was steady, but her hands trembled as she gripped her coffee mug. "Do I need to get Cameron and Melanie on FaceTime?"

"Yes ma'am. You probably better." I took off my hat as I climbed the steps.

"You want a coffee?" She asked as we stepped inside. "You look like you could use something stronger."

"I could, but I'll settle for a soda if you've got one." I met her eyes.

"Tobias," Charlie entered the room. "How are you?"

"I'm alright," I shook his outstretched hand just as my phone buzzed again. A text from Law:

"Information you need. Now."

"I'll be right back, I need to make a quick call. Why don't you see if you can get the honeymooners on video? I'll only be a minute." I apologized to Evelyn and Charlie then quickly headed back to my cruiser.

"Hey, what did they find?"

Chapter 2

Ruth

Another June bride consultation, normally I would be excited but, for some reason these brides have been testing the limits of my patience. I glance at my wall calendar while gathering my planner from my office in the back room of Blossoms. The irony of spending my days orchestrating other people's love stories isn't lost on me, especially when my own seems permanently stuck in neutral.

"Ruth, your ten o'clock is here," Mary appears in the backroom doorway. In a more hushed tone, "and oh boy, you're going to loooovvvvee this one."

Something in her tone makes me pause. My eyes connect with hers. "Bad?"

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