Page 66 of Rules

"It's okay boss, it's good for you to date, you need to." Sang smiles, a mischievous smile at me.

Shit, what's that smile mean?

"Anything other than the normal about the break in?" I ask, trying to get the attention off myself.

"Nope, we would have called you if there had been. Damn, perps eluded us again. Bastards."

"Hmm, well, I better head over to my son's. See you tomorrow, detective." Sang nods. That's if his wife will let me in the house. I make my way quickly to the doors.

I should have manned up and had the conversations I needed to have with Ruth. Open up and tell her how I felt. Instead I took the patsy way out and now look at the mess I'm in. And it's all my fault.

Chapter 24

Tobias

Pulling up to Tim's, I've decided to be honest and tell them what happened. I can't have Dianna thinking I told Ruth it was because of her weight. Plus, I love my daughter-in-law. She is the perfect match for my son. If I'm honest, most of the time, she and I see things the same way. I need her to understand what happened.

As I walk up to the door, I hear Dianna's voice.

"No Way! I'm not talking to him! Tim, he told her it was because of her weight. I can't accept that!" A loud bam sound tells me she has slammed a door somewhere.

Well, this will be fun, I think as I ring the doorbell. Tim opens the door with the expression of one who looks like they have just had enough for one day. He huffs out a breath.

"Hey," I say as Tim steps out of the door and onto the front deck.

"Hey."

"I heard Dianna."

"I'm sure the entire block heard Dianna. Good grief." Tim looks me in the eye. "Dad, I don't think now is a great time for you to be here. She's really upset."

"I want her to know that I like plus size girls. I always have. Look at your mom. There wasn't a time I didn't think she was gorgeous. And I adore Dianna," I say defensively.

"I know, Dad," Tim looks at me, and I know I have to tell him the truth. "Did you really do that to Ruth?"

I take a big breath. "I did. Well, she said it, I just didn't correct her. I just walked out. I know it was wrong, but it was an excuse and I was too much of a chicken shit to fix it," I say on an exhale.

"Why would you do that? Dad, Ruth would be a fantastic person for you to date."

"What? Are you kidding me?" I stare at Tim with disbelief. "She is thirteen years younger than I am."

"So?"

"What do you mean, so?" I plop down on one of the two chairs. "SO, she is too young for me to be with."

"I don't think she is. You're both adults, as adults age is just a number. What matters is if you make each other happy." Tim looks at me like he can't comprehend what I'm telling him. "Plus, it's only thirteen years."

"When she entered high school, I was already Sheriff." I explain because, clearly, he isn't getting it.

"And again, so? Do you like her?" Tim crosses his arms over his chest.

"Well," I look up at him. "I did. I mean..."

Tim interrupts me. "Dad, do you want to have a relationship with Ruth? A simple yes or no."

"But what will people think if I'm dating someone that young? I'm the Sheriff, an elected official. It will look bad." I'm dumbfounded. I thought for sure Tim would understand, but instead he replies with anger in his voice.

"Wait, let me see if I got this right, rather than tell Ruth you're obsessed with what people think, you let her believe it was because of what the bathroom scale says when she steps on it?" Hearing it from Tim, my actions sound way worse than I was allowing myself to believe. "Is that how it was dad?"

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