Page 71 of Rogue Wave

“Carson,” I shouted as I neared them, not caring one bit if I attracted a crowd. In fact, I was hoping I did and someone would call dispatch and alert Kim to what was going on.

Both Carson and Hazel turned toward me and my bellow.

“Sheriff, I just came to talk to my daughter,” he said, holding his hands up in surrender.

“Don’t care. Back up,” I commanded as I moved in front of Hazel, who had been standing right next to her chair.

Carson complied, and while he didn’t appear to have a weapon, there was no guarantee of that. I used my left hand to wrap around her waist, sliding her over more and then holding her in place. Part of that was to secure her the other part was for my own sanity—if I could touch her, then I knew she was safe.

Whatever progress I had gained with Carson was now gone. His face went from defensive to angry in a split second.

“Do not touch my daughter like that.” His threatening voice was loud and clear.

Trying to defuse the situation so we could get this back under control, I stated, “I’m putting her behind me to protect her.”

“You already did that, but your hand is still touching her.” He turned to Hazel. “Tell this cop to let you go, that I’m not going to hurt you so he can stop being so touchy-feely with you.”

“He’s been a lot more touchy-feely than this, Dad. In fact, his hands have been all over my body, and I loved every second of it,” Hazel shot back snarkily.

“Christ, Hazel,” I grumbled.

Well, that was not going to help the situation at all.

“You motherfucker,” Craig growled, starting to step forward, but he thought better of it when I moved my hand to open my jacket, showing my gun.

He stopped—the first smart decision he’d made all night—but the anger in his face was still there.

“Look, I just came to talk with her,” Carson sputtered. “I know that ex of hers broke into her house, so I was coming to warn her that he registered for a gun permit a few days ago.”

The hair on my neck instantly rose—not just because of the information about the gun permit but because of his knowledge of the break-in. Since no one actually broke in, there was never a formal report made, which meant it was never made public. The fact that he knew about it did not sit well with me.

“I appreciate you letting me know so that Hank can look into it,” Hazel said to him politely. “But now you need to leave because you’re interrupting our date.”

His jaw clenched at her words before he turned and scanned me and then back to her. “Why’d he leave you for so long if you’re on a date?”

Clearly, he had been watching her if he knew that, which made me even more irritated.

“I actually left to take a call from dispatch informing me that you were involved in a fight tonight—one that involved one of my deputies,” I said, hearing Hazel gasp next to me.

To Carson’s credit, he didn’t even flinch. The man had a great poker face when he wanted to.

“That deputy of yours is a hothead and a lawsuit waiting to happen,” Carson sneered.

“You got in a fight with a police officer?” Hazel asked, shocked.

“Technically, I broke it up. I never laid a hand on anyone. Which is the only reason your deputy is still alive. Word of advice,” he said to me, looking like he’d rather eat dirt than give me his advice. “That man is snooping around the wrong people and is gonna get himself killed.”

Before I could respond, Carson turned to the side and made his way over toward the bar, leaving through the front door.

“Sheriff, is everything all right?” the restaurant manager asked from beside us, clearly having heard the argument.

“Yeah, all good. Thanks.”

He nodded and took my word for it.

Hazel sat back down, and then I did the same. I scanned her face, looking for any signs of emotional distress, but all I saw was frustration.

“You okay?” I asked.