“He did? What was it?” Her heart rocked as she rushed the rest of the way to the fence.
Mac scratched his temple, as if contemplating if he should answer. “A figure in a black hoodie,” he replied, apparently having deemed her worthy. “But he kept his head down, so there are no clear glimpses of his face.”
“Damn,” she muttered, disappointment rolling through her. “That’s too bad.”
Mac nodded. “I shared with you, so I’d appreciate it ifyouwould at least have to sense to fill me in on what happened at the ranch today.”
“Oh.” She frowned. “I assumed Carter already did.”
Again, Mac nodded. “He did, but I’d like to hear it firsthand from someone who was there.”
“Roger that,” she said, using their slang before recounting the activity at the ranch, leaving out the part about the kiss, of course.
Cooper exhaled.
RJ shook his head, while Dean muttered an oath.
“I already reamed Carter a new one for not informing us sooner,” Mac said. “And I’ll be doing the same to Dale when he gets his sorry ass here. We would’ve been there immediately. We always have each other’s backs.”
Sadie knew their aggravation stemmed from concern, and it warmed her to know Dale would never have to face anything like that alone ever again.
“Guess that’s something he’s going to need to learn,” she stated. “As for me, I would’ve called if I hadn’t left my phone inmy purse in the truck. And if I knew your number. But I do have your wife’s. Guess I could’ve gotten to you through six degrees of separation.”
His lips twitched as if wanting to smile but he didn’t. “Give me your phone, and I’ll rectify that immediately.”
“Sir, yes, sir,” she replied, digging her phone from her purse before handing it to him.
Again, his lips twitched, and she heard some of the men chuckle.
“There,” he said, giving her phone back, several seconds later. “Just to be clear, I’m not upset with you. It’s the fact that Dale put you and himself in danger instead of calling for back-up.”
She shoved her phone into her purse and cocked her head. “But he did. He called the sheriff then Carter,” she informed, feeling the need to defend Dale.
Mac’s brows shot up. “He did?”
“Yeah.” She nodded. “That’s who he’s with right now. Gabe and two of his deputies showed up, so Dale had me take his truck home. He refused to leave and insisted on investigating with the sheriff.”
Cooper grinned. “Sounds like Delta.”
“No way was he going to leave,” Dean stated. “Especially if someone’s messing with his family.”
RJ nodded. “Hooyah.”
“That’s good to know,” Mac told her, his shoulders and expression no longer stiff. “I thought he was trying to lone wolf it.”
“Nah.” Cooper shook his head. “His brother, Caspian, maybe, but not Dale. He’s a team player.”
This time Sadie nodded. She’d never had many conversations with Caspian, but he’d always given off that “I can do it myself” vibe.
“Sorry if we came across harsh, Sadie,” Mac said, his gaze once again warm and friendly.
She smiled and waved her hand in the air. “Don’t sweat it. I’ve got thick skin. Besides, I really admire how you guys stick together, and how you’re ready to help whenever needed.”
Cooper grinned. “It’s in our DNA.”
“Then you all come from good stock,” she said, turning to leave, before a thought occurred and she twisted back around. “Listen, um, this may not mean anything, but on my way here, I was nearly run off the road by a black SUV much bigger than yours and with tinted windows.”
She was probably being paranoid, but figured it didn’t hurt to mention the incident.
