Momma patted my arm, leaned in and whispered, “I’m so proud of you.”
Because of her kind words, I almost missed someone say, “I’d like to speak to the council about the sheriff.”
There were a few murmurs and Mark Beirstad stood. I took a deep breath, let it out. Momma took my hand, squeezed it. I flicked a glance her way and saw her jaw was clenched. She wasn’t over what Mark’s brother—her boss—did to her and she was smart enough to put the puzzle together. I was the missing piece.
Mark was in his early thirties, hair receding at a pace faster than he could grow a comb-over. His belly rolled over a large belt buckle, indicating he had won a few rodeo events in years past. He ran the local grain elevator and was very eager to be sheriff. He took moments like this often to share his feelings about something, or someone, in the community not to his liking. He liked to grandstand, even on a small scale. The fact that he had everyone’s attention only made him roll his shoulders back and preen like a peacock. More like a cock.
“The sheriff is a civil servant, one who serves the community. He, or she, is a representative of the town.”
Momma made a huffing sound at the blatant dig at putting my gender’s pronoun as an add-on.
“Mark, we’re all aware of the sheriff’s role and that she serves the community,” the mayor replied. He was in his fifties, easy to like and even easier to work with and because of this, was in his third term.
“Yes, but it has come to light that she’s now involved with three men.”
Beirstad stared pointedly at me. I lifted my chin and met his gaze head on. I’d been shamed once by my choice today. I wouldn’t be again.
“Cavorting in such a way is not an example we want set for our youth. I move to have her removed from office and replaced.”
Murmuring broke out across the room and the mayor raised his hands. Everyone fell silent.
“Issues with county employees should be brought to human resources,” the mayor added. “Not aired at a council meeting. Any breach of employment is considered by that staff. Confidentially.”
I had a gun. And a Taser. I could cross the room in a few steps and have Mark flailing on the ground peeing himself. I could stand up and say something, that what Mark said was true. I was in a relationship with three men. But I wasn’t ashamed of it. I had no idea what I was going to do about Poe, if I’d be able to remain involved with him. If who I was would be too much for him. But I had been with them. It was a fact and I couldn’t change the past, nor did I want to.
“HR has no control over the election though,” Mark countered. “I request a vote to have her name stricken from the ballot.”
The council members looked back and forth at each other. The mayor remained silent, let Mark’s words sit heavily. I glanced at Mrs. Duke. Oh, she didn’t like Mark, that was for sure.
“Let me repeat for the record,” the mayor began, looking to the secretary, who nodded. “Mark Beirstad has issues with Sheriff Drew’s performance. He requests her name struck from the November ballot for the position.”
“That is correct,” Mark confirmed with a single nod.
“You are aware that it is one of Mrs. Duke’s sons who is in a relationship with the sheriff.” Obviously, my love life was known by everyone. “Is there a reason, Mr. Beirstad, why you aren’t complaining about the performance of Mrs. Duke as a council member? Not only is Gus Duke cavorting with the sheriff, but her other two sons are in similar kinds of relationships.”
Mrs. Duke remained silent and stared down Mark.
He had the good grace to blush, but it was probably more out of anger than embarrassment.
“Also,” the mayor continued. “The sheriff’s mother is sitting right beside her. I would think that these two women would be quite vocal, perhaps more than you, if they had issue with the sheriff’s actions.”
No one said a word.
“The people of Raines can decide for themselves about the sheriff based on her performance on the job these past few months. That can’t be said for you, Mark. They can and will, though, decide on you based on your comments here tonight.”
Beirstad held up his hands. “Now, Mayor, this isn’t about me. It’s about the ballot on election day and having the right names on it.”
“I wasn’t aware, Mr. Beirstad,” Mrs. Duke said. “That Sheriff Drew’s name was on the ballot.”
The mayor nodded. “Sheriff Drew, on her first day of work, made it clear she was just a fill-in and would not be seeking election.”
“What?” Mark said, turning to look at me. His eyes looked like they belonged to a cartoon character, bugging out of his head. Obviously, this was something he hadn’t known. “You aren’t running for the job? Why didn’t you say something?”
“Why should she have to?”
Everyone turned to the far side of the room as Liam Hogan—the previous sheriff’s son—spoke. He stood, hat in hand, his hair neatly combed. He wore jeans and sturdy boots, a white button up shirt with the sleeves rolled back to show sturdy forearms. He helped run his family’s small ranch and was a part-time deputy. His eyes were on me. Not anything like the way Gus, Kemp or Poe looked at me. There was no heat. Respect, perhaps, but it was purely professional.
Liam was two or three years older than me. I remembered him from growing up, but we hadn’t been in the same friends’ circles. I was sure he missed his dad; he’d been a good sheriff and it would be an honor for Liam to follow in his footsteps as sheriff. He had my vote, not because I didn’t want Beirstad anywhere near a position of power… or a gun, but because he was the right man for the job.