They each took turns recounting what had happened, Dale’s voice calm and measured, while Sadie’s was tinged with the remnants of fear that still lingered in her chest. As they spoke, the reality of the situation settled in deeper, the sense of unease gnawing at the edges of her thoughts.
What in the world was actually going on?
Once the deputies completed their search, Gabe turned to Dale. “We’ll keep an eye on things here tonight, but I’d feel better if you didn’t stick around. Go home, get some rest, or go visit your father.”
Dale shook his head. “I’m staying. I’ll walk the grounds with you.”
The sheriff stared at her protector for several long seconds before muttering under his breath. Shock whispered through Sadie. She exchanged silent looks with the deputies. No one but Lyndsey had ever gotten Gabe to back down.
“Since I recognize that damn stubborn look and know you’re really not going to leave,” the sheriff said, “then I guess I have no choice but to let you tag along.”
Straightening her shoulders, she faced the man too. “And I still have to feed the horses.”
“I’ll handle it,” Dale said.
Sadie opened her mouth to protest, but he held out his keys, his expression leaving no room for argument. “Take my truck and go home. I’ll get dropped off by one of the deputies later.”
Before she could argue, Gabe chimed in with a nod. “I’ll drop him off myself, Sadie. You’re safe to head home.”
Again, she hesitated, not one to shirk her duties, but the look in Dale’s eyes told her he wasn’t going to budge. With a reluctant nod, she took the keys. “Be careful, okay?”
Dale’s gaze softened a fraction. “I will.”
Casting one last look at him, Sadie turned and made her way to the truck, her heart still pounding with the lingering adrenaline.
So that’s what it felt like…
Funny, Dale’s kiss had a similar heart-pounding, body-shaking effect.
She drove away with a smile on her face, and in the rearview mirror, the barn faded into the distance behind her. With luck, Dale, Gabe, and his men would find a clue that solved the mystery today.
A shiver raced down her spine, and she couldn’t shake the feeling that things were far from over.
By the time she turned off the driveway onto the road that led to Main Street in town, Sadie managed to quell her misgivings enough to concentrate on the miracle that had taken place in the barn.
Dale Taylor had kissed her.
After fourteen years, she’d finally gottenthekiss she’d always wanted.
Warmth spread through her body and brought a smile to her lips. And she hadn’t made the first move.
As Sadie drove down the familiar country road, the afternoon sun was bright in the beautiful blue sky shining over the fields and trees. Her mind drifted back to the barn and that amazing kiss.
It was a moment she hadn’t expected, a connection she hadn’t planned on, but it left her with a warmth in her chest she couldn’t quite shake. She smiled, remembering the feel of Dale’s hungry lips on hers, the way he’d held her close as if he didn’t want to let her go.
Lord knew she hadn’t wanted to let him go, despite being lightheaded and needing air.
The familiar chime of an incoming call interrupted her thoughts. She quickly dug her phone out of the purse that she’d forgotten she left in the truck.
The sight of the horses in the driveway had pushed all other thoughts from her brain at the time.
Glancing at her phone, she noted her cousin Harper’s name on the screen.Yes!She was beginning to wonder if her cousin was going to call her back. Harper had been unable to talk last night because she was busy helping her mother sort through things, deciding what to take with her to Florida or donate.
Sadie had gone through the same long but necessary process with her mother before her parents had moved, too.
Using the phone holder conveniently placed on the dash, she hooked her device into it and accepted the call.
Harper’s beautiful voice filled the air. “Hi, Cuz. What are you up to?”
