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The older teen glanced from Ry to Katie’s father.“He hired two ex-cons who live in Monroe to do the robberies, Sheriff.They bragged to us about it, but we refused to help.”

Ry’s anger built.It could have been much worse than it was.Ry nodded, then turned his attention back to Katie’s father.

Randall’s gaze was still hard and defiant.“It’s their word against ours.”A sinister grin spread over her father’s lips, and Ry had a bad feeling.

Katie’s head was still bowed.

“These two men standing here are anything but upstanding citizens.I don’t know about the state laws around here, but they are perverts.They are not normal.They prefer having sex together and share a woman.”

“We’ve done nothing wrong,” Ry whispered in her ear.

“Damn right.”Her head came up.

“Katie?”the mayor looked at her, then to Ry and Jed.

“Mayor.”Her voice was soft, hesitant.She glanced up at Jed and then Ry.She cleared her throat.“I love Ry McKade and Jed Malloy.”

Jed jerked, and Ry did the same.She loved them?Why hadn’t she told them?

“These two men make me happy, and if Felton’s Creek residents can’t understand and accept it, then it’s the town’s problem.”

Ry let out a breath.Okay, this wasn’t the way he wanted this to go down, but the hell with it.He’d resign as sheriff if need be.He wasn’t giving up Katie or Jed.

The mayor stared at the three of them before turning his attention to Katie’s father.“I don’t give a damn who you are,” the mayor said.“You are a stranger to this town and so is this fellow.”The mayor waved his hand at both of them.“Ryland and Jedidiah are honorable, decent citizens of this town.Ryland is our sheriff, and he will be for a long time.Jedidiah donates his time and horses so the kids know how to ride and learn about them.As for Katie…”

The mayor glanced at her.“She is a beautiful young woman, a brilliant accountant.What they do in their private life is their business.I will stand behind them.Who’ll join me?”The major stepped next to Ry.

All around the trio, the crowd shifted.Ry held his breath.The mayor supported them, but did anyone one else?Katie glanced around.Most of the town stood behind them.Ry noted a several people walked away, and it didn’t bother him.

“There’s your answer, Father.It’s time to leave.”

“They need to answer for the vandalism to Katie’s car,” Ry said.

“No charges, Ry.”Katie tilted her head to the side and went up on her toes.“They’ve got more problems than just vandalism.”

“Get out,” someone yelled.

“Leave our town,” another voice added.

“We don’t need trash like you around,” yet another called out.

All of it came from the people surrounding them.

“You will regret this,” Randall said.

“That sounded like a threat.”Jed glared at the man.

“No, Father, I will never regret this.I regret I never saw you for the shallow, selfish, cruel man you were until a few months ago.And you, Walter, you’re just my father’s puppet.Oh, and by the way, the Feds should be raiding the company any time now.”

Her father’s eyes widened.“What did you do?”

Walter whimpered.

“Let them know about the books being off.I’m not as stupid as you think, Randall.Did you really think I’d miss the fact that you are stealing from your employees’ retirement funds?”She tilted her chin up.“Go away.”

“Leave and never come back,” Jed said.

“I couldn’t have said it better,” Ry added.