Bailey Bradford Southwestern Shifters 05 Resilience

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short of breath when he answered.
Then he was completely breathless when he said hello and the mayor of Shasta greeted
him.
Er, hello, Todd, this is Mayor Edmunds.
Todd immediately stood up straighter, as if the mayor could see him through the
phone which was a disturbing thought, considering he was naked. Yes sir. He coughed
to get the squeak out of his voice. How can I help you, Mayor Edmunds? Was he fixing to
be fired? Ran out of town?
Actually, Todd, I believe you can help me, Mayor Edmunds said, sounding more sure
of himself with each word. You see, we re in need of a new sheriff in town as Kaufman has
been& relieved of duty.
He has? Todd had heard as much, but it still seemed unreal to him.
Yes, of course he has. Once I found out about all the laws he broke, and of course, the
animal abuse, oh my. Mayor Edmunds sighed. If one of those save the animal places had
gotten wind of his behaviour, well, I don t think any of us want Shasta on the news all
around the world for something like that. It would reflect very badly on us, and we have
some good people here. Bad ones, too, yes, but overall we have great citizens.
Todd wasn t so sure about that, considering many of the great citizens had to have
known about the abuse he d suffered at his parents hands. Then it occurred to him, as hard
as it d been for him to break out of that cycle and it d almost killed him, hadn t it? it
might have been just as hard for people to speak up. It was a horrible excuse, but possibly a
true one. Mayor Edmunds cleared his throat and continued talking when Todd didn t speak.
Todd, I know you might feel as if several people in this town let you down, and you d
be right. I myself wasn t aware of what your father did to you, not until this last time, and I
am very sorry, son. Someone should have stepped up. Another sigh, this one louder,
gustier. But no one did, and there are a lot of people feeling very badly about that now. I
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know that you have a good heart, that you re a respectful, forgiving man. Not many people
would be after what you ve been through.
Todd frowned as he wondered what the mayor was buttering him up for. Okay. He
didn t know what else to say. He heard footsteps and turned to see Adam watching him as
he walked over. Todd shrugged and mouthed Mayor Edmunds and Adam scowled at the
phone. He slipped an arm around Todd s waist and tipped his head towards the phone.
Todd held it out a little so Adam could hear. Mayor Edmunds, I don t know why you re
calling. I m kind of confused here.
Well, son, first off, I m calling to tell you I m sorry for what you went through, and
second, ah& Mayor Edmunds made a noise that had Todd thinking the man was
embarrassed. See, I want you to know that it s okay that you re& gay. Harumph. Sorry, this
is, er, unusual, I imagine. For me at least, and possibly for you.
Yeah, Todd croaked, sure his eyes were about to bug right out of the sockets. Adam
snorted softly and squeezed his waist.
I just want you to know that there are many others here in Shasta who feel the same.
I ve gotten numerous calls and visits at my office, and oh my, e-mails and even letters.
People want you to know you re welcome here, you and Adam. I have been hounded
endlessly, well almost, by those who want to make sure you understand that. In fact, after
meeting with numerous citizens, and discussing it with the council, we d like to offer you a
job.
Todd darted a glance at Adam, who wasn t scowling anymore, but he did look like he
was suspicious of everything he was hearing. Yes sir? Todd kept his eyes on Adam s,
finding strength and courage there.
Todd, I did say Kaufman is gone, and we need a new sheriff. Someone we can trust to
do the right thing. Someone strong yet compassionate.
Todd pressed a hand to stomach, which had gone quivery inside.
We, the majority of the citizens of Shasta, would like to have you as our sheriff, Todd.
What do you say to that? Mayor Edmunds asked.
Say? Todd couldn t even breathe! He gave Adam a pleading look. Adam moved around
him and whispered almost soundlessly in his ear, Tell Mayor Edmunds thank you ,you will
consider it and call him back tomorrow.
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Todd bobbed his head. Mayor Edmunds, thank you for considering me, and& and for
the other things you said. I d like to have a little time to think about this. Todd looked at
Adam. I need to talk it over with Adam, see what we want to do. Can I call you with an
answer tomorrow morning?
Of course, of course, son. You do that. And say hi to your to Adam for me. Take
care. Edmunds hung up and Todd did the same.
They want me to be the sheriff, he muttered. I I can t quite believe it.
Adam stepped in front of him and took his hands. Todd met his gaze and felt a little
calmer. Adam kissed him, a chaste brush of lips. What do you want to do, Todd?
Todd tried to remember everything the mayor had said. He wants us to know we re
welcome here. And that people are sorry they didn t step in and stop my father from abusing
me. I don t know how I feel about that. I had to try really hard not to be angry at a lot of
people for a long time. People from my father s church that knew he beat the crap out of me,
knew my mother did the same. People at school who saw the bruises and didn t do anything.
But I remember, Adam. I didn t ask for help, either.
Adam s eyes snapped with anger as he growled, You shouldn t have fucking had to
ask. He inhaled slowly and shook his head. Sorry. It s hard not to be angry, but you
shouldn t have had to ask, Todd. The adults in your life, from the people at church to those at
school and anywhere else where they knew, all those people failed you. I can t fix that now,
but maybe we can get past it. Heal, you know?
I like that idea. I don t want to be angry, Todd said, realising how true it was. I don t
want to be like my father. He was always angry. I want a better life than that, and I want it
with you, in this town, if you re willing.
Adam s smile could have lit up a moonless night. I d love to have that chance with
you, Todd.
Todd grinned, feeling like he d just about float, he was so happy. Then it looks like
there s a new sheriff in town.
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Chapter Sixteen
Adam watched Todd pin the sheriff s badge on. Looks good on you. Actually Todd
looked friggin edible, but Adam was trying not to be pushy. Todd had been through a lot of
shit. Having the mayor inform him that Kaufman was gone, fired and possibly facing
charges of all sorts, had thrown Todd for a loop. As had discovering how right Adam had
been there d been hardly any protests at all over Todd stepping into Kaufman s position.
He d been appointed sheriff in an emergency council meeting, but Adam knew, when Todd
ran for the position, he d get it. And Todd would run for it, Adam would make sure of it.
This town needed good, honest people leading it. Todd was a start. Adam was seriously
considering running for mayor, although he should try for council first&
Where d you go on me?
Adam blinked and shook his head. Sorry. Mental rant. But you really do look
Adam swept his gaze down Todd then up again and shivered. So sexy, babe. Turn around
and let me ogle your ass.
Todd turned a nice shade of pink but swung around eagerly enough. The dark blue
trousers hugged his ass perfectly. Adam wanted to pull the pants down and bend Todd over,
but he also didn t want the first time he fucked Todd to be like this, hurried and frantic and
probably rough since Adam was so damned aroused. He settled for patting Todd s ass.
Perfect. I have plans for you, he said, addressing Todd s butt. Very intimate plans.
Todd cleared his throat and Adam looked up to find Todd watching him over his [ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]

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