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“My father intends to pursue every available charge.”

“Of course he does.”

Joe leans close enough that I can smell the mint on his breath. “You should have gone out with me when I asked.”

My stomach turns.

I want to slap him too.

Instead, I look directly into his eyes. “I would rather spend the rest of my life alone.”

His smile disappears.

“You may get that opportunity.”

Sheriff Miller moves between us.

“That’s enough, Joe.”

“Do your job, Sheriff.”

The sheriff’s jaw tightens. For one brief moment, I see how much he hates the man standing in front of him.

Then he takes my arms and fastens the cuffs around my wrists.

Panic replaces my anger.

“My girls.”

Tonya grabs my purse from beneath the counter. “I’ll call Jessie and Nora. They’ll stay with the girls until you get home.”

“What if they don’t let me go?”

“They will.”

She says it too quickly.

“Tonya, my babies don’t know where I am.”

“I’ll tell them you had to work late.”

Sheriff Miller leads me toward the door. Cameras flash as soon as we step outside.

Someone called the local news.

Of course they did.

Joe wants everyone to see me in handcuffs.

I lower my head, but not before I hear a reporter shouting questions.

“Gracie, why did you attack Mayor Jackson?”

“Were you drinking while working?”

“Did you threaten to kill him?”

Every accusation is worse than the last.