Free Beyond (BOOK 1.5) by Melissa Pearl

whole conversation, but according to Adam, you're refusing to press charges. Is that right?"
    I nod.
    "Well then, I think the sheriff and I have come to an agreement that will work for everybody." I want to ask what it is, but the mayor keeps talking, stealing my chance. "It's sad really." The mayor scratches his eyebrow. "Sheriff Hutton loves his son. All he was trying to do was protect him, but in a really stupid way."
    "People do stupid things for the ones they love."
    "So it seems." The mayor's gaze is so piercing, I shrink back into my seat.
    "You really threatened the town sheriff?"
    I swallow, bite the edge of my lip and with a wince, whisper, "Yes."
    Mayor Stanford shakes his head then starts to snicker. "You must really love that boy."
    "He's pretty hard not to."
    The mayor gives me a smile. "Dale's a lucky guy, Nicole."
    "Not if his police record stops him from getting what he wants."
    "Sometimes we have to live with the consequences of our choices." The mayor shrugs.
    "But what about redemption! Second chances. Dale is such an amazing guy. He's changed so much, and he won't revert back to who he was. He's proved that. I'm just so sad that his past is hindering his future and there's nothing he can do about it." My face crumples. "And there's nothing I can do about it now either. The sheriff's going to call his brother tonight and tell him not to bother with the whole Columbia thing. I just know it. And that reference letter may as well be dust."
    The sting of tears burns my eyes. I blink at them fiercely.
    The mayor lifts the Kleenex box towards me. "Why don't you tell me the whole story. Maybe there's something I can do to help."
     
     

 
    Chapter 12
     
    It's been eight days since my little jaunt to city hall. Six days since rumors tore through Big Bear about Sheriff Hutton resigning from his position. Five days since it was all confirmed. Three days since I bumped into a sullen looking Adam. He wouldn't talk to me, and that's why today, when I spotted him in the library, I left my table and crept down the aisle after him. I had something I wanted to give him. It's been sitting in my bag all week.
    "Hey." Adam turns at my quiet call.
    He looks tempted to run away, but then stops and lets me approach him.
    "I just wanted to see how you were doing?"
    "I'm good." He nods.
    "Really? Cause you don't look great."
    A grin flits across his face. "I'm doing okay."
    I nod, still unconvinced. My fingers feel twitchy and nervous as I hold out the folded pages in my hand.
    "What's this?" His brows bunch with confusion as he slowly takes them.
    I chew my lip as he unfolds them. His expression doesn't flinch for what seems an age.
    "I hope you don't mind, I just thought I'd check into it for you."
    He folds the pages back up and taps them against his leg, his face finally breaking with a small smile. "I knew you'd get my ass into gear, Nicky Tepper."
    I grin. "Those are just a few pages of information on what you need to do to become a SEAL. It's going to take you a while, but I know you can do it." I point to the papers. "I'm pretty sure you can apply online, but you might want to call and ask about it all first. The contact info's on the last page."
    He nods, his grateful grin morphing to a frown. "I told Dad what I wanted to do last night."
    I lose my breath for a second "What'd he say?"
    Adam shrugged. "He wasn't happy about it, but he hasn't tried to stop me either." He grips the papers. "They're looking to sell the house. Once I'm gone there'll be no one left at home, so..."
    "Are you okay?"
    "Yeah. Yeah, I think so. Dad's not really talking to me anymore."
    "Isn't that a good thing?"
    "Maybe." Adam clears his throat, opening the pages and scanning the information I found for him. "He'll always be my dad though, you know? He loved being Sheriff and I basically ruined it for him."
    "He didn't have to take the fall for you, you know?"
    "Yeah, I guess."
    I look down at my freshly painted nails, now a chocolate brown, and