Page 44 of Oh My Secret Christmas Baby
"Ignore her." Betty waves her off. "Her time will come."
"Over my frozen corpse." Kindred folds her arms over her chest.
I'm with Betty on this one. I think her time is coming too. Sooner than later based on her recent interaction with the sheriff. They are about to blow, and I’m happy that I’m going to bear witness to it.
I, however, keep that to myself. With Kindred being my new BFF, I have to side with her. In public, at least. I'll be digging more into this later. I'm sure that Mary is already thirty feet ahead of all of us.
Chapter Twenty
HOLLIS
When I worried over letting Candy go into town with Kindred, it was over her safety. I’ll be that way until Maxwell is dealt with and everything else is handled. That all should be coming to a head this evening.
What I didn’t bank on was Kindred roping my sweet girl into her shenanigans. Sheriff Hudson stands in front of me. I already sent the security guard that got doused in glitter to go clean himself up. I’m glad I had two more on the girls as a precautionary measure. I knew I would need more than one if Kindred was involved. I also want a handful for tonight's party.
“I know Steve didn’t report being glittered,” I tell Sheriff Hudson. “Maybe I pay him to be glittered.”
“You’ve been hanging out with Kindred too much.” As always, Sheriff Hudson’s face gives nothing away, but that sounded like an accusation.
“She works for me. So yeah, she’s around,” I remind him, not that he needs it. I'm paying a whole lot more attention to all the things happening in this town. That’s saying a lot because I already did. But one thing is clear: Sheriff Hudson wants Kindred. And Kindred wants to throttle him.
Sheriff Hudson appears to be losing all the battles when it comes to her, but I don't think he'll lose the war. I can tell he’s a man that’s not easily deterred.
"I'm not one for town gossip, but often it's got a bit of truth to it or stems from something."
"All right." I check the time. "I don't mean to be an asshole?—"
"Are you sure about that, Mayor Hollis?"
No.
"I've got shit to do and things to handle."
"One of those things better not be handling Kindred." He is staking a claim.
"Why would you think that? Everyone knows Candy and I are together." I plan to make it fully clear tonight to everyone.
"Your mother—" Oh, fuck me.
"What did she do?" She would be tangled up in this. In that I have no doubt.
"First, she said something about an engagement and Kindred." Right. How had I forgotten about that stupid-ass plan?
I bet my mother couldn’t wait to light the match to ignite a spark under the sheriff’s and Kindred’s asses. That woman always has her nose in something. Her intentions are good, though.
It feels like a million days ago that I hatched that stupid plan. When in reality, Candy has only been here a few weeks. That’s how easily she fits into my life; it's because she was meant to. I never believed in that shit before now, but I’ll eat my words happily.
“That was a miscommunication. Kindred and I have never been more than friends. You know this. She is friends with everyone in this town,” I point out. “Well, maybe not everyone.” I give him a pointed look.
I see a tic form in his jaw. I’m sure he’s itching to smash my skull in. I’d be the same way, but I would never be in that position to begin with. I locked Candy to me quickly.
“Besides, why do you care?” I push.
Hell, it’s not Kindred I have been spending too much time with. It’s my mother if I’m wrapping myself in this, but I do feel protective over Kindred. She can give as good as she gets, but she feels deeply too. She’s New Hope’s town sweetheart for a reason.
“I have my reasons.”
“If you say so, but know there will be more than the locals at the party this evening.” My mom and I both invited people in from the city. I’m sure a lot of them are already en route. It's not a short drive, but I know they’ll all have drivers. “It’s not me you have to worry about when it comes to Kindred.”
