I hated that he'd gotten the best of me, that he'd made me cry. The cruiser idled a few feet away, and I dropped my shoulders when Sheriff Patton leaned over the passenger seat.
"Miranda, darlin'"-I still hated that term and every memory that came with it-"you need a ride home?"
At first, I didn't answer and instead, I glanced at Austin. I'd begged him to tell me what he wanted me to do, what punishment would suffice, and in return, he'd stared at me, bewildered. Without a response, without an end to this insipid feud, I chose what I believed to be an out that had presented itself unexpectedly.
It wasn't exactly home, but Cross Acres would have to do for tonight. So, I nodded and took the ride he had offered. Yet sitting alongside the man who'd delivered the news that had brought my wor
