Chapter Fifteen

Rueben propped his chin on the arm he'd draped across Seth's chest. "What happens next?"

The warm, pliant body beneath his rumbled with a chuckle. "You let me recover a little longer before you make additional sexual demands," Seth replied. "Damn, baby."

They'd left their mark on the kitchen and the great room in just a few hours after their company left, then sprawled on the plush rug in front of the fireplace. It was much too hot outside to take advantage of that amenity, but Rueben looked forward to the day they made love in front of a roaring fire.

"The sweat on my skin hasn't even dried yet from the last round," Seth continued in a mock whine.

Rueben placed a kiss on Seth's damp chest, loving the way his heart still raced. "I wasn't talking about sex," he said. "I meant us. The cat's out of the bag, and everyone knows I was at your cabin when Reggie Ulrich showed up. How are you going to handle it?"

Seth puffed up his cheeks and slowly released his next breath as his hand trailed lazily up and down Rueben's back. He didn't answer right away, and Rueben wasn't sure if he should congratulate himself for sexing Seth into a stupor or worry about their future. The latter was a knee-jerk reaction Rueben wouldn't allow. They'd come too far and put too much on the line for him to question Seth's commitment to their future. Rueben was the keeper, after all, and he'd act like it.

So he waited patiently for Seth to process everything they'd lived through and all he'd learned from Reggie Ulrich. Rowdy bouts of sex weren't the only form of communication they'd shared after everyone left, and Rueben had listened in horror as Seth repeated Reggie's hospital-bed confession. Guilt gnawed at his insides for bringing the subject up again, but Rueben knew they couldn't afford to bury their heads in the sand or burrow under the covers and pretend everything was fine. Seth would need to get in front of the story as best he could if he wanted to win his reelection, and Rueben knew Seth hadn't changed his mind about protecting and serving his beloved community.

Finally, Seth shifted his gaze to Rueben and smiled sheepishly. "I will hold a press conference and humble myself before my constituents."

Rueben couldn't hold back the wince. While that sounded noble, the approach also felt too simplistic for the complicated situation they were in. "Oh, sweetheart," he sighed. "I'm calling in the big guns."

Rory showed up within the hour, looking fierce and ready to conquer the world for his newest client. He breezed through the door Rueben held open, paused in the foyer to take in the home's beauty with an appreciative whistle before he headed straight for the oversized kitchen island. "Campaign central aka crisis control is now in business," Rory said as he removed a laptop from his messenger bag.

Seth looked from Rory to Reuben, hesitation written all over his face. He'd resigned himself to an honest confession and apology to his constituents, but none of that planning had prepared him for Rory Snyder in PR mode. Seth knew Ro had created and implemented the epic PR campaign Redemption Ridge used to counter the negative publicity Salvation Anew had generated about them. They'd not only won the hearts of the local community but had gained national recognition when their YouTube channel episodes went viral. If Rory could work that kind of miracle for the "farm felons," as Mick Carson not so affectionately called them, salvaging Seth's reputation should be easy peasy.

Ro's rigid posture and no-nonsense expression said he was ready for battle. "Are you ready?"

Ivan, who'd entered at a much slower pace, stood by the front door with Rueben and just took it all in. A dark blush stole across the big man's cheeks, and his lips parted into a big smile. "I was born ready." Ivan's voice was a soft growl best saved for the bedroom.

Rueben fought back a chuckle and slapped his hand against the big man's chest. "Not so fast, big guy. We need Rory's guidance first, and then you can take him home to ravish. Consider all this plotting and planning as foreplay."

Ivan let out a grunt and headed toward the kitchen. Rueben followed, unsure if the noise was rejection or acceptance of his suggestion until Ivan pulled up a stool and plopped down. Rory shot his boyfriend a quick wink as he waited for Seth to answer his question.

"Uh, yeah," Seth finally said.

Rory cocked his head to the side. "Uh, yeah?" He tsked and shook his head. "I would've never associated those lukewarm words or attitude with you, Sheriff."

"My commitment to my job and the election isn't lukewarm. I just didn't want to engage a formal campaign or hire a manager. It isn't my style."

"How does unemployment suit you?" Rory fired back.

Seth exhaled a long sigh as he considered the question. Everything about his demeanor changed before their eyes. He stood taller, notched his chin higher, and met Rory's gaze with a look of determination that made Rueben squirm on his stool. "I'm ready. Let's do this."

The community had turned out in big numbers for the one and only debate between Seth and Martindale, but the town hall resembled a popped can of biscuits on the night Seth would stand alone at the podium and make his pitch to his constituents. Throngs of people—press and locals alike—filled every square inch of the building and spilled onto the lawns surrounding the building. Rory had planned for that contingency and placed portable speakers outside so all attendees got a first-person account of Seth's statement and his answers to the questions he would field afterward.

The speakers currently played songs from a local country band who'd gotten famous after winning a popular reality competition. The group used their clout to support Seth when rumblings about his improper behavior stirred in the wake of Ulrich's confession. Lyndhurst had also kept his word and would reiterate his endorsement when he introduced Seth. Support had come from many other sources, some surprising, such as Oliver Hawkins. Seth's ex-fiancé had written a fair article that highlighted all the reasons Seth was the right candidate for sheriff without sugarcoating Seth's mistakes. Oliver portrayed a man who was honest and decent but also human. The last line of the article had nearly moved Rueben to tears.

Are you really going to punish a man whose only crime was falling in love and reward a monster who refuses to denounce his hateful past?

With that one sentence, Oliver made two distinct comparisons between the candidates. Man versus monster. Love versus hate. Rueben's heart knew the choice was clear, but his brain wouldn't stop whispering mean things about their predicament being his fault. None of this would've happened if he hadn't pursued Seth. He'd even said as much after Rory left on Sunday evening because Seth had looked like someone who'd faced down a tornado and barely survived. The Rory Effect had rattled them both, and Rueben had felt particularly vulnerable and guilty.

Seth had scooped him in his arms and pressed a firm kiss to his lips. "I will apologize for many things, but loving you will not be one of them."

In the corridor outside the main hall, Rory stood back and assessed Seth from head to toe with keen eyes. "You are the one miracle I didn't need to pull off today," Rory said. "You've pressed your shirt to perfection, and the fit of your jeans alone should be enough to get you reelected." Rory huffed a breath onto his shirtsleeve, then polished the sheriff's star pinned to Seth's shirt. "There. Perfection."

"You're sure this isn't too soon?" Seth had wanted to do his press conference after the investigators thoroughly updated the public on everything that had transpired. Rory had heartily disagreed and made a case for getting in front of the press and public as soon as possible. Seth agreed, and Rory moved mountains to make it happen less than twenty-four hours later.

"You won't be answering questions about any of the investigations," Rory reminded him. "The reporters will give up and focus on the information you've put in front of them after you refer their case-specific questions to the task force enough times." He glanced at his watch. "It's nearly seven. Are you ready?"

Seth met Rueben's gaze and smiled. "Are you?"

It was hard to guess what the next few months would be like, but Rueben wasn't afraid of a challenge. Seth was his endgame, so he smiled and said, "Bring it on."

"Great," Rory said. "You two kiss and say your so longs while I prod Lyndhurst to take the stage."

Once alone, Rueben turned and hugged Seth. "You don't need luck, so I won't say it. You've got this."

They both knew Seth's apology would be a semicolon, not a period. More questions and concerns would arise—some legit and others utter bullshit—but this step would address most issues.

Seth pulled him into a tight hug. "Hell yeah, I do. And I've got you."

Reuben forced himself to release Seth and step back. With one last kiss, he left Seth alone in the corridor to find Kerry, who promised to save him a seat. The locals might've packed the hall, but Seth's cousin was easy to find with his imposing size and dark looks. Attention shifted to him like an invisible wave, but Rueben squared his shoulders and walked proudly. Kerry had chosen seats directly behind the press, which felt an awful lot like sticking a bloody toe into shark-infested waters. Rory had every intention of using the media to their advantage, but Rueben lacked his confidence.

"Front row, huh?" Rueben asked when he dropped into the seat next to Kerry.

"Better than slinking to the back like you have something to hide," the bruiser countered.

Rueben conceded his point with a head tilt. Then he took advantage of having Kerry's undivided attention for once. "What are your intentions with Keegan?"

Kerry arched a brow, leaned closer, and said, "None of your business."

A rebuttal sprang to his tongue, but Lyndhurst stepped up to the podium and greeted the crowd before Rueben could release it. Damn him. Keegan was his business, and he wouldn't allow this sexy pirate to swashbuckle his way into Kee's tender heart. But then he remembered the unfettered joy Keegan had displayed the previous day. Rueben had thought it was because the ordeal with the cult, at least legally, would soon be over. Three out of four remaining members had died, and the fourth signed a plea deal and would soon admit his guilt before a judge. Now, he realized the mountain-sized hunk smirking at him had a lot to do with the laughing and blushing Keegan did while Rueben made enchiladas. Scaring Kerry off was suddenly the last thing he wanted to do, not that it would work.

"Please don't hurt him," Rueben said softly.

Kerry's expression turned tender as he held Rueben's gaze. "And I ask the same of you."

Rueben swallowed hard and extended his pinkie to Kerry, who chuckled as he hooked his finger around Rueben's and shook it. Then, they turned their attention to Lyndhurst's wordy introduction slash endorsement. There was still something Rueben didn't like about the guy, but he appreciated the prosecutor sticking his neck out there for Seth, especially since he was fighting his own reelection battles. Eventually, Rueben drowned out the prosecutor and turned introspective, clapping whenever the audience did. He didn't tune back in until Kerry rose to his feet and cheered. Rueben jumped to his feet, and there Seth was, standing tall and proud at the podium.

"Good evening." Seth's greeting quieted the crowd. "Thank you for coming."

Over the next several minutes, his man looked both humble and confident as he recited the speech he'd written with Rory. Seth didn't bring a copy with him to the podium, and he didn't use teleprompters; he looked at his constituents and spoke from the heart. Rueben was sure he heard some swooning in the hall.

"I am not a perfect man," Seth said, "but you won't find anyone else who loves this county more than I do. I've pledged my entire life to serving my country and our community. My dedication has never wavered, and it never will. Some of you will feel I've broken your trust, and I ask for an opportunity to earn it back again. You won't regret it."

Seth opened the room to questions from the press. Like Rory said, he fielded a few questions about the investigation until the reporters realized he wouldn't budge. Tony declined to comment, promising to hold a presser with the task force as soon as they could align their schedules. The Q&A session didn't last long since there wasn't much Seth could add to what he'd already said in his statement. The bulk of the crowd lingered so they could convey their support to Seth. The gathering was large, but it only represented a small sampling of the county, so it was impossible to know what impact one meeting would have. Rory was already working on a multiphase strategy, and he knew Seth was in excellent hands.

Rueben waited patiently at the side of the room until Seth strode over an hour later. He looked tired and relieved as he reached for Rueben's hand. The interaction drew the gaze of the people still loitering in the town hall, and Rueben vowed to get used to it. He made a mental note to chat with Rory about things he could do to present his best image publicly. Rueben had already agreed to do an interview with Oliver for his podcast the following week. It was the least he could do after Oliver went to battle for Seth. He doubted they'd ever be friends, but they could be friendly.

"Let's go home," Seth said, then leaned closer. "Maybe we can check off another room."

Rueben's insides turned to goo when Seth referred to his house as Rueben's home too. The rest of Seth's words registered, and Rueben lengthened his stride. "Mudroom." He'd already eyed the long bench in the space. There were so many things they could do with that bad boy.

Seth's family and closest friends gathered at the Feisty Bull on the first Tuesday in November to await the election results. Some people at their makeshift headquarters were nervous, but not Rueben, Rory, or Seth's mom. Cassandra Burke's first stop upon returning from her Alaskan Cruise had been Seth's house, where she threw her arms around Rueben and welcomed him to the family. Donovan, Seth's father, had been a tad more reserved but no less welcoming. All the Burkes and Harts were gracious, and Rueben loved being around the rowdy, boisterous bunch. They were all in high spirits as they ate, drank, and cheered with every update Rory gave them from the election board.

"He's going to wear a hole in Aunt Deb's floors." Kerry gestured his beer to where Rory paced back and forth with his cell phone held to one ear and a finger plugged into the other. "An hour ago, he said the election board was on the verge of calling the race."

"Uh-huh," Seth said. "We all heard the same thing."

Kerry's lips twitched on one side as if he were fighting off a smile. "You're not exactly annihilating Martindale at the polls."

Keegan set down his soda and winced. "Ouch."

Kerry shrugged and added, "But Rory said the lead is insurmountable for him."

"You don't say," Seth replied drolly.

"I didn't say it. He did." Kerry gestured across the bar again, and they all watched as Rory stiffened and searched the room, a smile blooming on his face. Kerry slapped Seth on the back hard enough to rattle his bones. "Congratulations, cuz."

Seth smiled but said nothing. Rueben worried he'd had the air knocked out of his lungs, but then Seth turned to him. "Will you stand with me when I address the crowd?"

"I'd be honored to," Rueben replied. They'd been nearly inseparable since that fateful night with Reggie. They parted ways to go to work, but that was it. "I'm so proud of you."

"One day, I'm going to ask you to stand with me before our families and friends and vow to love me forever," Seth said.

Rueben sucked in a breath so hard he choked on it. "Now?" he rasped.

"We're underdressed," Seth said. "Soon, though. Once you find the keeper, you want to put a ring on his finger so the universe knows." He cupped Rueben's face and kissed his mouth.

Reuben threw his arms around Seth's neck. "I'm going to say yes."

"What's this? What's happening?" Rory asked when he reached the table and assessed the scene.

"Seth just informed Rueben he's going to propose to him someday," Kerry said.

"Awwww," Keegan cooed. "And Rueben is going to say yes when that day comes."

"What the hell, Sanchez? Way to steal my damn thunder." Rory tossed the piece of paper in the air and let it fall to the ground. He took a few steps away from the table before pausing and looking over his shoulder. "Oh, congratulations, by the way. Your reelection is official."

Keegan picked the piece of paper off the floor and set it on the table in front of Seth. He won sixty percent of the vote, a figure they all knew should be much higher.

Seth released a sigh. "I have my work cut out for me." Winning because he was the lesser of two evils wasn't what Seth wanted, and he was determined to prove his worth. He stood up and held out his hand to Rueben. "Let's go tell everyone the good news."

Linking his fingers through Seth's, Rueben followed him to the front of the restaurant. The chatter died down as they approached the microphone Rory had set up. Seth released his hand to slide an arm around Rueben's waist.

"I don't really need this thing, do I?" Seth asked, gesturing to the microphone.

"A little louder," someone hollered from the back.

Seth cleared his throat. "I have some great news I want to share." His friends and family cheered again, and he waited for them to calm down. "There won't be a new sheriff in town." The room erupted into whooping and hollering. Seth turned and captured Rueben's smiling lips in a victory kiss for the books.