Page 52 of One Little Kiss

CHAPTER16

COLTON

Pushing my hands deep into the pockets of my jeans, I roll back onto my heels and let out an exasperated sigh.

“Well, that didn’t go like I thought it would,” I tell the silver train that seems to watch me from his perch on the roundtable. “You’re scary little fuckers, you know that, right?” Raking a hand through my hair, I puff out my chest and leave the toys alone.

I’ve got my work cut out for me with Winnie, but even the thought of her makes me smile. Fucking East. Is what I’m doing impulsive? Possibly, but I know it’s right. I feel it deep in my bones and I’ll be damned if I let anyone ruin it. I just need to figure out how to get through to my girl.

“Wendalyn Darling? I’m here for a welfare check for one Weston Darling.” The low, unfamiliar baritone makes me pick up my pace until I stand at Winnie’s side.

“Sheriff,” I acknowledge, thrusting my hand out and introducing myself. “I’m Colton Westbrook. What can I help you with?” I’ve positioned myself between him and Winnie. Acting as a shield, I cross my arms over my chest, and relief hits me when I feel Easton’s similar stance to my right.

GG crowds us all, and we form a protective wall around Winnie and Wes.

“Mr. Westbrook, I’m here for a wellness check on a minor. A witness saw Ms. Darling being escorted out of their home. The witness was concerned she was incapacitated, and now I’m here to fill out a report for the court.”

“Was this concerned citizen Jason Darling?” The sheriff’s eye twitches, and I have my answer.

“I’m not at liberty to say.”

“Anderson! Aren’t welfare checks supposed to be conducted with a social worker present?” Lexi inquires, and I throw her a grateful nod.

“Come on, Lex. You know how things work around here.”

“I do because my cousin was almost killed doing one of these welfare checks on her own.”

Everyone in Burke Hollow remembers when Lanie was attacked years ago, and it’s enough to make the sheriff back off.

“Ms. Darling, would you prefer to do this with a social worker present?” Sheriff Anderson asks.

“I don’t—”

“We’ll wait for the social worker and our attorney,” I interrupt.

“Colton!” Winnie’s eyes are wide with fear, and I fucking hate it. Reaching for her, I drag her into my side.

“Mr. Westbrook, can I ask how you’re involved here?”

“It’s my family,” I growl.

His shocked expression silences everyone else in the room. “I-I didn’t realize.”

“Now you do. We were in the process of moving into our home now that it’s finally finished, and Winnie hit her head on a cabinet door hard enough to require stitches. So yes, I helped her to the car, then I carried Wes and all their stuff, too. What kind of man wouldn’t help his fiancée to the car? I think your source,” I spit the word, “needs to do some fact-checking next time.”

“Colton, please.” Winnie’s fragile voice is like nails on a chalkboard. I’d rather have her yelling at me, throwing snark, sass, anything but scared.

I lean down and press my lips to the side of her head. It’s a gesture that feels so damn right that my chest actually aches with the need to fix the entire fucking world just for her. “Shh, baby. Everything’s going to be okay. I promise you.”

“What do you need for this wellness check, Anderson?” Lexi snaps. She can be a real bitch when she needs to be, and right now, I couldn’t love her more.

“Well, shit, Lex.” I notice for the first time that Sheriff Anderson is about our age, so he’s probably known Lexi his entire life. With a heavy sigh, he pulls papers out of his jacket pocket. “I need to observe Weston and Winnie in their home environment. I need to do a home check to ensure his safety.”

“That’s it?” she asks with arms crossed over her chest.

Glancing around the room at my family, pride swells in my chest. They’re all standing at attention. Soldiers ready to fight a battle they weren’t prepared for but march full steam ahead because I need them.

“That’s it.”