Dan didn’t sound nearly as alarmed by that as he should. There had barely been a fraction of a second of hesitation before his response.
“That’s it? He can be overprotective?”
A longer pause said he was choosing his next words with a great deal more care. “Ryan doesn’t let many people get close to him. You of all people should understand that. You both worry too much, too.” His lips tightened, ever so slightly, as he slipped into Sheriff Dan mode. “No one’s paying anyone to stay away from me, Jazz. If word of that got out, believe me, it would be a bigger blow to my reelection campaign than either one of your warped family trees.”
“Ryan’s family tree doesn’t worry you either?”
“Not in the least. He hasn’t had any contact with his family since he was a kid.”
Dan sounded so sure of it. She hoped he was right. “And it doesn’t bother you that he thinks mine is more objectionable than his?”
“He doesn’t think that. He thinks your family has a tighter grip on you, that’s all. I’m inclined to agree. You took on responsibility for all of them, including your mother, when you were too young to know what the word meant. You don’t know how to let go of it, either. But you wouldn’t be who you are if you did. It’s what makes you such a good base manager. You need to work on those trust issues, though. And you might want to let people think for themselves, too.” He held up the paper bag. “Do you want these cookies or not?”
She eyed the bag. She’d been honest with him. He’d met her mother, so he’d seen the proof. If he wasn’t worried, then at least her conscience was clear on that score. The ache she’d had in her chest ever since saying goodbye to him the night at the hospital finally let go. She even dared to let herself think that starting a training base in Grand might be worth considering, after all.
She plucked the bag from his hand before he could hide it again. She peered inside. A dozen or more cookies, soft, plump, and loaded with chocolate chips, beamed back. She took one, bit into its fat, sweet gooeyness, and offered the bag to Dan so he could help himself, too.
“When’s dinner?” she asked.