A surge of gratitude washed over Dale. “Thanks, guys. I appreciate it.”
“No problem,” Carter said. “Now let’s take care of your dad’s house.”
Dale shook his head. “Let’s leave it until tomorrow—if you don’t have a job lined up, that is.”
“We’re free,” Mac said. “You sure you want to wait?”
He nodded. “Yeah. My dad’s supposed to be in the hospital another night or two.”
“All right then.” Mac slapped him on the back again. “Tomorrow, it is.”
RJ grinned. “Yeah, you probably want to spend some quality time catching up with Sadie tonight.”
“Wait…you and Sadie have a thing?” Carter asked, eyes way too full of mischief for Dale’s liking.
Dammit, RJ.
He groaned. “No, we don’t have a thing,” he insisted. “We just went to school together.”
“Ah, so it’s a reunion waiting to happen then.” Dean grinned.
Cooper cupped his shoulder. “Good for you, man. I like her. She’s the most upbeat, helpful person I know, next to my wife.”
Considering the guy was married to Carter’s gorgeous and equally sweet sister, his buddy had just paid Sadie a high compliment.
“She’s also off limits,” he said.
Dean lifted a brow. “Why?”
Dale swept his hand through the air. “Because this thing needs to be resolved first. I don’t know exactly what happened here, but I aim to find out.”
Carter grinned. “Hate to tell you, buddy, but thatoff limitsbullshit isn’t going to stand. We’ve all been there, and we all failed.”
“Yeah, well, this time, it’ll be different,” he claimed, determined to keep clear of Sadie until the danger passed.
The guys laughed, the sound echoing through the evening air.
“It’s cute how he thinks that,” Carter said, carrying two black boxes to one of the SUVs.
RJ nodded, following with his arms loaded. “Yeah, but he’ll see.”
“I hope we’re around to witness it,” Cooper said, helping to pack gear in the other SUV.
Knowing better than to rise to their bait, Dale remained quiet as the guys prepared to leave. Instead, he focused on the mystery at the ranch. Whatever was going on, he felt his resolve tighten. They’d face this together, just like they always had.
When the SUVs pulled away, Dale spared one last glance at the woods where Gabe and his deputies were still searching before he climbed into his truck and headed to the hospital. If he didn’t encounter a lot of traffic, he just might make it before the doors were locked.
Luck was on his side, because he stepped into the hospital with seven minutes to spare. He took the stairs two at a time to the third floor and walked down the hall, nodding at the nurses who recognized him. The smell of antiseptic and the soft beeping of machines were reminders that his father’s condition could be much worse.
Dale entered the room to find his dad sitting up in bed, looking much better than he had earlier that day.
He smiled as Dale entered. “Back so soon? Didn’t figure I’d see you again until tomorrow.”
“Nah.” Dale grinned, pulling up a chair. “I told you I’d be back.”
“You always did keep your word,” his dad said. “Did you get any shut-eye?”
He shook his head. “I brought the cavalry to the ranch. We’re getting it secured. Gabe’s orders. Tomorrow, we’ll do the same to your house.”
