Page 106 of Nixon’s Promise

Nixon took in her battered face and felt not one ounce of remorse for ending Dillinger’s life.

The sheriff’s reign of terror was over.

McKenna’s wounds would heal and Nixon would make sure she moved on. As he’d carried her through the woods, he’d promised her she’d be okay. And Nixon Swagger had never broken a promise.

A week later

Nixon stood outside of the Kent County courthouse with Deputy Jonny Spencer. The same day a grand jury had decided not to prosecute Nixon Swagger, finding his actions were justified, Deputy Richard Dillinger’s employment with the sheriff’s department was terminated. Since the sheriff’s death, a slew of complaints had been filed. The Dillingers were done, decades of abusing power and controlling the citizens with fear was over.

Finally.

“How do you like the interim sheriff?” Nixon asked Jonny.

“Undersheriff Baker’s a good man. He’s been with the department about fifteen years. He’s dedicated to cleaning house and getting those who were complacent in Dillinger’s shit out of the office.”

“Heard you also got a promotion. Commander of the Criminal Investigations Division. Congratulations.”

“Can’t keep shit quiet around here. The official announcement hasn’t even been made and already it’s around town.”

“Gotta love a small town.”

Nixon offered the other man his hand and after a firm shake they parted ways. Nix swung up into his truck, and with a smile he headed home where McKenna was waiting.

Three weeks later

“Please sit down, McKenna.” Nixon stopped at the now-fixed porch door when he heard Zack talking to McKenna.

“I’m fine,” she returned.

“You need to sit down. I’m making dinner. Not you.”

“Really, Zack, I’m fine.”

“Well, as long as you’re standing when you should be resting, I’m not fine. Seriously, if you don’t go sit down, I’m gonna go get Nix. You know he’ll carry you back up to your room. Which, by the way, is where you should be. Not down here hovering.”

“Don’t you dare go get Nixon. Besides, I’m not hovering. I’m helping.”

Nixon looked over at Mandy. She was shaking her head while smiling.

“She’s stubborn,” Mandy whispered.

Nixon returned her smile and waited. He was curious how Zack was going to handle his tenacious sister. In the last few weeks, Zack had come into his own. Nixon had spent most of his time caring for McKenna while Zack had managed everything else.

Amanda had stepped up as well. She and Zack had done all the grocery shopping and cooking, never complaining about the amount of responsibility they were shouldering. Nixon hadn’t needed to give them direction. Both simply took over the daily tasks.

But now that McKenna was feeling better and wanted to be up and moving around, a battle had ensued. Zack wanted McKenna in bed and resting. McKenna wanted to get back to normal. This had been the only topic Nix had intervened on. He had indeed carried his woman up the stairs and put her to bed. However, it was only when she’d been trying to do too much.

“McKenna,” Zack snapped and Nixon reached for the door. “Please. For me, sit down. I know you’re feeling better. But I’m not. I want to help take care of you. Every time I look…”

The boy trailed off and Nixon stood frozen.

“Every time you look at what?” McKenna softened her voice and asked.

“I remember how scared we were. Me and Mandy and Nix. I remember every second. Nixon needed me to stay at his house. Mandy needed me to stay with her. But you needed me, too. Sometimes you need to sacrifice what you want to do, so you can do what you need to do for those you love. You may want to be up and walking around, but I need you to go relax. Please, Micky.”

Nixon’s jaw clenched and a weird stinging sensation started behind his eyes. He’d said that to Zack and now Zack was repeating it to his sister.

“Okay, Zack, I’ll go relax. Thank you for making dinner.”