“Think the Callahans are involved?”
“Said the guy looked non-threatening?” Dad asks. “Then no.”
“Well, I didn’t like it.” I sit up and turn to Dallas. “I don’t like knowing someone is out there looking for you.”
“Yeah, why?”
“What if you go missing? How do I know who to kill?”
He smirks. “I can take care of myself.”
That used to be true.
He could take care of himself, meandSilas back in the day. Our younger brother hardly hung around us. Always preferred the town jocks rather than shooting the shit in the barn. Still, Dallas always knew his whereabouts, who he surrounded himself with and made sure he was alright.
Always the sound one. The one who told me not to trust Bonnie.
The one who was first to forgive me for turning my back on everyone.
“Fine.” I set my beer down. “What do you want me to do if he comes back?”
“Tell him to leave. Anyone I need to know, knows how to reach me.” He plates our dinner. “You two about done? Cause I’m ready to eat.”
Dad and I exchange a worried glance. I nod and push off my chair to help. “Yeah, why not.”
Sometime later after Dad leaves, Dallas calls it a night early. Every Saturday night, he and Millie would be out doing something.
Dancing, mingling, riding, anything. Millie hated staying in.
Dallas hated going out. He’s a lot like me. I don’t people well. I put on a smile for tour groups and the events we hold here at the ranch, but I like a quiet night.
Although tonight .?.?. a distraction wouldn’t hurt. Anything to keep me from taking a short ride to see if the lights are on in the cottage.
They were last night. Pretty late in fact.
It’s no wonder the girl’s never on time in the morning. Picking up the phone, I text my best friend.
Wilder:Wanna grab a beer?
Wesley:Was just about to text you. Silas is in town with a few of his teammates. Wanna join us?
The fact that I didn’t know my little brother is in town and Wes does, gets under my skin. But I don’t press on it because I know why Silas didn’t tell me he was coming. The last few times he was here, Dallas had been a mess and I was busy prepping for the season.
Silas doesn’t think like we do. All he knows is hockey, girls, and staying young and pretty forever. Serious matters like the death of a loved one and running a family business are far from his radar.
Wilder:Sounds fun. You bring your sister with you?
I imagine the question is viable. Warranted even. I’m curious if my new employee is getting her fill of the town.
Wesley:I asked. Said she’s tired and going to call it a night early.
Red flags go off in my head.
Wilder:Sounds like something I should do. You boys have fun. Tell Silas I’ll call him tomorrow.
Monday night Rose went out after eleven and joined the guys for a bonfire. Tuesday, I found her at Bones about to get in the crossfire of a bar fight.
Then last night, her light was on until after one in the morning.
