Page 7 of Shielding Serena

“Pretty sure some asshole conked me on the head,” she said, her voice came through strong and clear now that she’d had a moment to orient herself.

Walker moved to the side and let the paramedic do his thing but kept his hand at the small of her back after she sat up, offering what comfort and support he could without getting in the way.

Kujo slid in as the firefighters were leaving, disappointed there hadn’t truly been something they could do with their time and expertise. The man scanned the scene with one quick, assessing glance, then moved to the side as Garrett strode in.

He gave Kujo the once-over before his attention shifted to Serena and Walker.

“He’s legit. I was meeting him here,” Walker said, jutting his chin out to indicate Kujo.

Garrett grunted in response and looked the Brotherhood Protector rep over again, then moved to Serena’s side with a shrug, as if he wasn’t overly worried about someone Walker had vouched for. If Serena hadn’t been lying on the floor right now, Walker would have been elated by the tacit acceptance.

He dropped into a squat next to them. “Been quite a morning, Serena. It’s lucky I was right around the corner heading for the office. Let’s let Mike tend to you, then I’m gonna need to ask you a few questions, okay?”

Serena nodded and Garrett moved his attention to Walker.

“Landry, a word?” The Sheriff’s expression was all professional, which meant chilly as a Maine winter, despite the fact he’d seemed to accept Kujo’s presence.

Damn it, Walker thought. He didn’t deserve censure from Garrett, and from the tone in his voice, that was exactly what was running through the man’s mind.

Walker had done everything right. In every scenario he would have picked taking care of Serena over going after the bad guy. Every single one.

He nodded and moved to a corner as the sheriff diverted to chat with the lead paramedic.

Kujo joined Walker. “This town is livelier than I anticipated,” he deadpanned.

Walker snorted almost reflexively. “Not usually.” He gave Kujo a quick rundown of what had happened.

“What’s going on with the Sheriff? Is it going to be a problem?”

Walker seesawed his hand, not willing to dissemble, but not entirely pleased that Kujo had picked up on the tension so easily. It had to be more apparent than he’d thought.

“Garrett and I have been working through where we stand with each other since last fall. He got shut out of the investigation once the feds took over and then they tried to blame all the fuck-ups on his office. He’s been understandably cranky about it, but it doesn’t really have anything to do with Last Light. Regardless of any tension between us, he’s a huge ally, and I don’t expect that to change. He also has a vested interest in the ranch that I can explain later, if need be.”

Kujo seemed to mull his words over.

Walker had provided a detailed account of almost everything about the assault on the ranch, since there was no way he was going to try to start up a business based on lies. He knew Kujo had read the report and was probably going over it in his head right now.

Kujo finally nodded as the sheriff approached.

“I’m not going to sit on the sidelines for this one, Garrett,” Walker kept his voice mild, but he wanted to state his intentions right out front. He doubted Garrett knew of their teenage romance, it’d been over twenty years ago, after all, but there was no way in hell he was hiding the fact that when he looked at her now, it was with the gaze of someone who’d known her intimately. Who’d loved her with every bit of his teenage heart.

He may never be in the position to romance her in the here and now, or maybe ever, but he could and would protect her with his dying breath.

Garrett considered both Walker and Kujo with the clear, calm gaze that always reminded Walker of Gary Cooper in High Noon. Hard to rile, but when you did, he’d put you in the ground. He’d be sad about it later but know he’d done the right thing.

Crime in the county was usually relegated to family squabbles and petty shit like the kids who’d rearranged Serena’s artwork. Drugs and domestic abuse were the worst thing Garrett dealt with besides dumb tourist tricks.

Oh hell, what if it had something to do with the attempted break-in? Walker’s brain should have gone there immediately, but he’d been so shocked by laying eyes on her assailant, then seeing her unconscious, it hadn’t. But dollars to donuts Garrett’s had. “Do you think it’s related to the vandalism and whoever was poking around her back door?”

“I have to operate under that assumption but still keep an open mind,” Garrett said pointedly.

Walker knew he was right, but he’d go with what he considered the obvious threat, thank you very much.

“She lives upstairs, Garrett,” Walker said, his voice going deadly serious. “I can’t abide somebody potentially threatening her.”

“I know, but there’s only so much I can do, which is why you’re still standing here. I can investigate what happened but until we figure it out, it’s best you keep close.” His attention shifted to Kujo. “Introduce me to your friend?”

“Sorry,” Walker apologized and turned to face Kujo. “Kujo Kuntz, this is Sheriff Garrett Hanson, who is usually only mildly annoyed with us. Kujo is here to help me set up a new venture. I was going to come tell you about it once I got the go-ahead but now seems to be a good time. Keep in mind we’re still in the process of getting approval.” As he spoke, he kept his gaze on the medics treating Serena. She was getting color back in her face and talking earnestly with Mike Ramirez, the paramedic.