Before Dean could contact Lydia to offer his congratulations, she visited Bird Song the day after Cynthia returned. The two women were talking in the kitchen when Dean returned from an errand. Lydia left Cynthia standing by the sink and walked into the parlor with Dean. There was a handkerchief pressed to her nose and he thought she was crying.
"What's a matter?" he asked.
"Nothing," she said curtly, her back to him. "Look, once again I owe you big time," she said. "I know I only won because you kept your mouth shut. Now I need another favor. I want you to be my Under Sheriff." Dean tried to hide his surprise as she continued. "This isn't charity. You've covered my ass every time I screwed up. I need you to be around the next time." Dean started to speak but she cut him off. "Think about it, but take it. Please." Finally, Lydia said, "I told your wife I was going to ask you," then added, "I really underestimated that woman." Without ever facing him, she turned and left.
"Are you sure you're comfortable with me working for Sheriff Lydia Larkin?" Dean asked as he joined his wife in the kitchen.
"Perfectly," Cynthia answered. "It may be the best arrangement. I don't think you wanted to be sheriff in the first place, and she needs you."
"I guess I agree, but that wasn't what I meant. Lydia is a bit- sexually aggressive."
"You thought I'd be jealous? That's sweet, but not anymore. Lydia and I have an understanding," Cynthia was dabbing Mercurochrome on a cut knuckle.
"How did you hurt yourself?" Dean looked at his wife inquisitively."
Cynthia smiled. "We had a difference of opinion."
"You and Lydia? You socked her?"
"It sort of got out of hand. . . ."
"First you slap Fitzgerald, then you do lord-knows-what to Lydia! I can't believe sweet Cynthia Byrne, hitting people!"
"I'm Cynthia Dean now. She's tougher than Cynthia Byrne used to be. You've changed me. I wanted to get all our cards out on the table, so to speak. If you're going to go to work for the woman-and God knows she needs your help-she has to agree to the rules of engagement. She was saying a few pushy things I took exception to, and then she grabbed my arm for emphasis. I didn't appreciate that lording-over-me style. I believe now she understands."
"Damn. Two women fighting over me."
"Don't go getting a swelled head. If you're going to work for this woman, it's best we all know where we stand. Everything is fine now."
"That's assault of a police officer!"