thinking of a way to speak to the woman when Barton shot out more venom, his lips curled into a snarl. “Someone sure does have a fan.”
Sadly, Aisha was no stranger to racist remarks—subtle or otherwise—but the clear vitriol evident in a man running for public office surprised even her.
Before she could say anything, Calvin Colton was in the man’s face, his broader shoulders and intimidating height eclipsing Evigan. Even well into his sixties, Calvin’s fierce protection was something to behold. “Are you suggesting something untoward against my son, my wife and our dear family friend?”
Evigan eyed them all before gathering himself. “I was simply suggesting you Coltons all stick together.”
“Right.” Calvin spat the word. “That was your meaning.”
Although Trey’s dad had the height advantage, Barton still had youth on his side and it was enough to have his worse nature coming through. “You want to suggest otherwise?”
Audrey laid a hand on Calvin’s arm. She didn’t say anything, but her touch had the calming effect of diffusing her husband. He stepped away, his disdain evident as he presented his back to Barton. “Not worth another moment of our time.”
For the briefest moment, Aisha thought Barton was going to cause a physical altercation, hate along with something dark and oily filling his gaze, before he seemed to think better of it. He turned back to his wife, grabbing her by the upper arm and dragging her from the community center, her feet running double time to keep up with him.
“I’m sorry, Mom.” Trey turned to Aisha, encompassing her in the apology. “You did nothing but support me in there.”
“And I’m going to keep supporting you. There and to anyone who will listen.” Aisha moved up into his orbit, wrapping an arm around his waist. The solid warmth of his chest practically knocked every rational thought from her mind, but she hung on, determined to make him understand. “I’m in your corner, Colton. I always have been and always will be. Apologize again and I’m dragging you out back and trying my latest kickboxing moves on you.”
Trey hesitated momentarily, a sort of dazed expression filling his dark brown eyes before he blinked out of it. “Okay.” He held up a hand. “No ass kicking required.”
She held his gaze another moment before nodding. “See that it stays that way.”
It was Trey’s father who spoke first. “Let’s get out of here and go have some ice cream.”
“Dad, I’ve got—”
Audrey shut Trey down before he could make any other excuses. “Come on. We’re all entitled to some ice cream and the huckleberry cobbler I made this afternoon.”
“You made cobbler?” Trey’s voice grew animated, and with it, Aisha heard the tones of their youth. Trey Colton had never been very good at resisting huckleberry cobbler. Or any other kind of cobbler, come to think of it.
Audrey turned toward her. “Aisha, you in?”
“Sure.” She thought of the weight bag she’d have to keep after in the morning but didn’t especially mind. “I’ll suffer through an extra fifteen minutes of cardio tomorrow.”
Trey’s mother only shook her head. “You young people and your insistence on all this exercise. It boggles the mind.”
“You look great, Mrs. Colton.” Aisha eyed the older woman’s trim figure and still-slim frame. “You must do something to stay in shape.”
“I run a farm with my husband. Never once have I regretted eating ice cream made from the cows I milk or dessert made from the crops I grow.”
As Aisha followed Calvin and Audrey out to the parking lot, the two of them walking her to her car while Trey headed for his patrol car, she had to give credit where it was due. She’d never give up her psychology practice, but there was something to be said for daily physical labor and the fruits of that hard work.
An hour later, sitting on the Colton’s front porch, full of vanilla ice cream and cobbler, Aisha amended the thought.
There was something about enjoying the fruits of one’s labor. But it was even sweeter when you shared it with others.
Trey scanned one of the reports on the discovery of the bodies on the side of the mountain and thanked his lucky stars, once again, for the ever-capable and awesome Daria Bloom. The woman was amazing, her focus and dedication for her job something to behold. He was fortunate for all of his deputies, the individuals currently making up the Bradford County Sheriff’s Office staff all strong, capable law officers.
But Daria was a cut above.
The two of them had stayed late the night before, prepping for the visit from local officials that was set to start in another ten minutes. Despite going over the materials until his eyes blurred, Trey had been back at it since six that morning, determined to make the meeting a good one.
And even more determined to make sure they knew he was the right man for the job.
He hated the fact that Barton Evigan had gotten under his skin at Tuesday evening’s meeting. From the moment he’d seen the bastard sitting there, all high and mighty and devious in his seat, Trey had known there’d be trouble. He wanted to ignore it. He was good at ignoring bullies and had done so most of his life.
But this was different.
The tone and tenor were the same, but the potential outcome had more far-reaching consequences. If he lost the sheriff’s position in the November election to Evigan, his replacement would take Bradford County down a dark road. Trey knew it in his gut and was only reminded of that fact each and every time he laid eyes on his opponent.
Tuesday night had been a perfect example.
“Sheriff Colton.” At the knock on his door he looked up to find Winnie Han, their dispatcher and fill-in front desk clerk during the summer months when vacations were in full swing. Although Trey had more than a few deputies offer to give up their vacations until the Avalanche Killer situation closed, Trey wanted to avoid that if possible. Tension was high and the scrutiny on their work was intense. A much-needed and well-deserved vacation was in order for everyone who had one coming their way. “The county supervisor is here.”
Winnie waited a beat before continuing. “And the private secretary to the governor.”
Well, hell and damn. A surprise attack.
Trey nodded. “Thanks, Winnie. I’ll come back with you and greet them myself.”
“Bruce Patrillo picked up doughnuts and boxed coffee on his way in.”
“Let’s make sure he expenses that,” Trey added, grateful for the support of his team. Even more grateful they understood the gravitas now that the governor had sent his highest-ranking lackey along for the ride.
Trey adjusted his tie, confirming the Windsor knot was in place just as he’d left it, and followed Winnie out of his office. They’d
