Sawyer (Alluring Indulgence #7)(100)
Author: Nicole Edwards

Her father finally spoke, pulling her out of her introspection. “Kennedy, I didn’t tell you this so you’d judge Mack. I just thought you needed to know.”

“Trust me, I’m not judgin’ him,” she lied. She had judged him and now she was angry at him for turning his back on her father, although she got the impression that their relationship wasn’t just some one-day-at-a-time sort of thing. They had been happy together, even if they hadn’t made it public that they had something between them.

“You are,” Jeff argued. “I just needed . . .”

“What, Dad? What did you need?” Kennedy asked, her anger dissipating when she saw her father’s face fall. “Someone to talk to? Well, I’m listenin’. Not that I agree with everything, because I honestly believe you need to fight for what you want. Fight for the person you want to be with.”

Her father’s eyes softened slightly.

Swallowing hard, Kennedy continued, “Dad, that’s how I feel about Sawyer. I know you don’t believe me when I tell you he isn’t the leak. He would’ve never started those rumors. He wasn’t exactly the nicest kid in the world, and he did some stupid things. And yes, he hurt me a time or two. But he’s not that same guy anymore.”

Kennedy wasn’t sure how the conversation had veered off, but she felt better telling her father how she felt. She felt better saying the words aloud. She did care about Sawyer and she did believe in him.

“I actually know who the real leak was,” she told him.

Jeff’s eyebrows lifted. “Who?”

“Tim.”

“My deputy?” he questioned, his disbelief apparent.

“Yes. He told me the day he . . . Well, he told me. Said he was upset that I was dating Sawyer. That’s why your name wasn’t mentioned. He wasn’t trying to hurt you so he didn’t bring you into it.”

“Son of a bitch,” her father growled. “Why didn’t you tell me until now?”

Kennedy shrugged. She couldn’t answer him because she really didn’t know the reason why. “Sawyer wouldn’t do that. I hope you believe me.”

“Oh, girl,” Jeff huffed, thrusting his hand through his hair. “I believe you. Looks like I owe him an apology.”

“Yeah, you do,” she confirmed. “He deserves at least that much.”

Jeff nodded. “I get it. You care about him.”

“I love him, Dad. I’ve spent most of my life holding a grudge against him for the things he did. But he’s proven to me that he’s not that guy. I want to be with him. And I want you to give him a chance. What I’m saying is that I’m willing to fight for him.”

Her father smiled. “In that case . . . I guess I have no choice but to give him a chance.”

Kennedy smiled at him, loving that her father supported her decisions no matter what they were. She knew he was always looking out for her and she respected that. Just like she was always looking out for him. Which led to her next question . . . “So, are you gonna fight for Mack?”

“Oh, girl. I didn’t come here so you could solve all my problems. I just needed someone to talk to. That’s all. So, just ignore what I said and please, whatever you do, don’t butt in.”

“Me?” she asked, feigning innocence. “When have I ever stuck my nose in your business?”

Her father laughed. “Oh, let’s see . . . Back when I was runnin’ for sheriff, I recall a certain young woman going toe to toe with my opponent because he’d lied.”

“Well, he shouldn’t have said those things,” Kennedy responded, maybe a little too defensively.

“That’s politics, honey.”

“It’s bullshit is what it is. I didn’t see you out smearing his name just to get elected. I didn’t agree with his slanderous campaign.”

Her father laughed again, this time humor dancing in his eyes. Yeah, she’d probably gone a little overboard when she had made flyers and gone about putting them on every single front door in Coyote Ridge calling her father’s opponent a liar and a cheat. But she wasn’t sorry she’d done it. Then again, there had never been any doubt in her mind that her father would be elected. He was the best one for the job and he’d proven himself for years now.

“Can I take you to dinner?” her father asked, still smiling.

Kennedy glanced at the clock on her desk, realizing it was a little after seven. No wonder her stomach was rumbling. “Yeah,” she told him, moving over to her desk to retrieve her purse from the bottom drawer. “I’d like that.”