Page 6 of Protected by the Sheriff (Magnolia Falls #2)
Olivia
T he one thing I love to do more than tattoos, makeup, and hair is to sleep! Sunday is the one day I get to sleep in and currently, I’m cuddled all cozy and warm in my bed. Out of nowhere, I hear a crowing.
At first, I think I’m dreaming because it sounds like a rooster crowing.
I peel my tired eyes open to glance over at my window, where it’s still dark.
Then I hear the crowing sound again. What the heck?
There is no way I can hear roosters out here on a mountain where only Mason and I live. Neither of us have chickens.
Then, out of nowhere, I’m blinded by a bright light streaming in my bedroom window. It’s the brightest light I’ve ever seen, and I can’t hold my eyes open. As I climb out of bed in my tank top and shorts, I stumble to the door, trying to find my way outside to see what the heck is going on.
As I make my way out onto my deck, I see Mason sitting on his with coffee and a huge smile on his stupid handsome face. “Good morning, Crayola.”
“Stop calling me that, Mason Walker. What’s happening out here? What’s with the sounds of the chickens and the bright light? We don’t have chickens on this mountain.”
As I look into his backyard, I see chickens running around everywhere with multiple roosters among them. “How did I not see them last night?”
“You mean these roosters, Olivia? I got them yesterday. Figured I would start farming some. They were locked up on the other side of the yard in their coop last night. Surprise.” He smirks.
“Not here, you aren’t! Why the hell would you get a bunch of chickens out of nowhere?
” I scowl because I’m ready to go beat this man over the head with a hammer.
He woke me up with roosters and the brightest light known to man.
“No one needs a light that bright, and why is it facing into my bedroom?”
Lifting his coffee mug to his lips and taking a sip of his coffee, he smiles again. “I want us to be safe out here, and it was just too dark around the house. What if someone were to break in?”
“Can we please tell them to kidnap you and take you away while they are here?” I snap.
My eyes are fully open, and I’m pissed. It’s my one day to sleep, and this man has purposely sabotaged that with his big ass light and noisy roosters. Clearly, the erectile dysfunction email subscriptions were not nearly harsh enough. He’s playing dirty. That means I’m going to need to up my game.
When I turn and walk away, I hear Mason chuckling. The urge to run over and smack him in his too-handsome face is strong. I have to show him I will not lie down and take this. One way or another, I’m going to get back at him.
Since today is Sunday, I have nothing pressing to do.
Typically, I use the time to clean my house, do some work on my yard, and go to the grocery store.
When I have to work through the week, I eat out a lot, but I also try to meal prep so I’m not eating junk food every day.
I may as well get my day started since the idiot next door has ruined my morning.
My week is a whirlwind of mess; dirty clothes are tossed carelessly onto the floor in crumpled heaps, and dishes are piled up in the sink, a chaotic jumble of plates, cutlery, and sticky remnants.
I try to pick up after myself, but I mainly reset on Sundays, straightening everything out that I mess up during the week.
Then I sit on my couch and binge on true crime stories or documentaries depending on what I can find.
The soapy water slides over the dishes as I wash them, the scent of lemon filling the air, but all I can think about is my awful neighbor and how to deal with him. He’s such a jerk. I can’t imagine living like he does. He’s so uptight and controlling; everything must be just so.
A perfectly pressed shirt, a meticulously planned schedule, even his tea brewed to the precise temperature. It’s exhausting just watching him.
We are often at Savannah and Declan’s at the same time, and I can’t roll my eyes hard enough at how rigid and controlled he is.
We’ve had dinner with them several times, and the things I see when I’m watching him amaze me.
He meticulously arranges his fries into perfect little squares, for God’s sake.
I swear, the man has a protractor in his pocket.
Last week, he spent a good ten minutes meticulously aligning the silverware on the table, each fork precisely parallel to the next. I half-expected him to start measuring the angles of the napkins.
I decide I need to get my best friend even more involved in my plan.
Calling Savannah doesn’t seem fair, but she’ll do anything for me, and I’m the same with her, so I know she can bring me what I need; so that’s what I do.
It doesn’t take long after my call to her before my bestie comes through for me.
Hearing gravel crunch in the driveway, I look out the window and see Savannah.
She’s got Ashton in her arms, and Kenzi walks alongside them.
Hurrying to the door, I throw it open and immediately take the baby from her, while she runs back to the car for his diaper bag.
The girl is rocking motherhood, and I’m so damn proud of her for what she’s been through and how she’s come through it all. I don’t think I would be as strong.
Huffing out of breath, Savannah comes back through the door carrying her bag.
Holding baby Ashton on my hip, I ask her, “Did you bring it?”
Savannah looks guilty. “I really shouldn’t have. I seriously do wonder if I could go to jail for this. I mean, this is the sheriff we are talking about, Liv. “
“Oh please, he’d never arrest you. Declan would kill him and if he arrests me, I don’t care. The jerk woke me up with roosters and a floodlight directed right into my bedroom this morning.”
Savannah’s mouth opens in surprise. “No way. He wouldn’t do that to you on your day to sleep in. Everyone knows how much you like your sleep, especially on your day off work.”
Rolling my eyes, I scoff.
“No wonder you were so angry this morning that you could bite nails in two.”
I nod yes because well, it’s no secret that mornings are not my best time of the day. It’s a running joke, and I know Mason has heard Declan and Savannah teasing me about it. That’s how he knew the roosters would drive me nuts.
Kenzi comes up and gives me a hug. “Auntie Liv, I miss you.”
“I miss you too, my darlin’ girl. What have you been doing?”
“Last night I played tea party with Daddy and painted his nails. We asked if Uncle Mason could come play, but he said he had to work.” Kenzi pouts. She’s four years old and losing her baby talk.
“Are you excited to take a trip away with just Declan, Savannah?”
“I don’t know. Declan says we need to get away from the kids, but I don’t know if I’m ready to leave them…” Her voice trails off as she bites her lip.
“You know Mason and I both will be there, and we would never allow anything bad to happen to them. Kate’s agreed to babysit while we work.”
A small smile stretches across her face. “I know you and Mason will be great with them, but I just have so much anxiety. After everything I went through with Derek, it’s hard to leave the kids. I just don’t think I’m ready to leave overnight yet. Maybe we can start off with date nights?”
Placing my hands over hers, I lower my eyebrows.
“But you need the rest. You need to spend time with your new husband, who worships the ground you walk on. Sometimes you guys need to do that without the little ones around, but if you need to start out slow before leaving them overnight, I understand.”
“I know. Poor Declan. I don’t know how he deals with my panic attacks.”
“Are you still seeing a therapist?”
“Of course I am, and it’s gotten tons better, but I still feel guilty sometimes with Declan being so perfect, and I still have moments where I fall apart or think negatively about myself. He’s always telling me he loves me and how perfect I am, but it’s hard to get Derek’s voice out of my head.”
Looking around, I notice that Kenzi and Ashton are playing on the floor a few feet away from the couch we are sitting on. I have a small basket of toys I keep for when they come to visit. Books, puzzles, and some baby rattles.
Leaning in close so the kids don’t overhear me, I add, “That man was evil, and don’t you dare listen to a word he said to you. I wish I could find the sorry piece of shit so I can make him pay for everything he did to you.”
Savannah smiles shyly but avoids saying anything else about the devil that was her ex-husband.
She leans in and reveals what I’ve been waiting for her to bring. “So, I will wait to see what you do with this.” Handing me the small metal item, she smirks and turns to get her kids to leave.
“Love you, Van. Thanks for the help.”
Savannah sighs. “Just don’t get me in trouble with the sheriff, Liv.”
Once Savannah and the kids leave, I get to work before Mason gets home. He’s going to learn never to mess with me. I might look sweet, but I can be feisty when I need to be.