“Did you get hurt?”
“Are you okay?”
“Did you get the license?”
“Where did this happen?”
The men shot rapid-fire questions at her, their gazes back to stone-cold serious.
She inhaled then blew out the breath. “No. I’m fine. No, I didn’t get a license because now that I think about it, there wasn’t any.”
Dammit. Why hadn’t that registered sooner?
She didn’t have to be a former military operator or the sheriff to know that was not a good sign. And if she hadn’t known it before, then the muttered oaths from the men in front of her would’ve clued her in.
They muttered them a lot.
“Where did this happen?” Mac asked her again, so she quickly filled him in. He nodded, pulling out his phone. “I’m going to let Gabe know.”
“And I’ll have Carter search the…uh…area for the vehicle,” Cooper said, holding her gaze.
She smiled at his attempt to try to cover up the fact that Carter had access to all the traffic cams and video feed in the county. Everyone in their circle was aware of that fact.
Deciding it was best to let the ESI guys handle things, she nodded. “If you’ll excuse me, I need a drink.”
With a wave, she turned around to finally head inside her house.
Today had been a whirlwind of emotions, and she was ready for some coffee and contemplation.
Within ten minutes, she was settled in her favorite chair with Tesla quickly curling on her lap, and a cup of coffee mixed with a little bit of caramel apple creamer on a nearby end table. Her thoughts kept circling back to Dale, the kiss, and the strange events today. Something told her this was just the beginning of whatever was brewing in Harland County.
That thought had barely whispered through her mind when a loud knock sounded on the front door. Sadie instantly jumped out of her skin then back in again. The noise and movement sent Tesla scampering to the floor, then under the couch.
“It’s okay, Tesla,” she reassured on her way to the door with her hand over her thudding heart. Peeking through the side window, she spotted Dale and Gabe on her doorstep. “Hey,” she said after opening the door. “Come on in.”
Dale immediately stepped close, cupping her shoulders while he searched her face. “Jesus, Sadie. Are you okay?”
Chapter Ten
Dale’s heart pounded as he grasped Sadie’s shoulders and stared into her beautiful face. He fought the urge to crush her close, reminding himself that would be overstepping their…friendship. Still, the moment he’d heard about the SUV trying to run her off the road, he’d felt like someone had punched him in the gut.
Why he’d had such a strong reaction was a mystery. He’d only known her two days now, or was it three? Christ, he wasn’t sure how long he’d been back. And technically, he’d known her for more than a decade, but he’d always kept his distance because back then, his attraction to the cute freshman would’ve spelled trouble for his Navy plans.
But since returning, fate seemed to throw them together. That didn’t matter. What mattered was the fact he couldn’t stand to see her get hurt.
Especially because of him.
She’d been in his truck. Had it been a case of mistaken identity, and when they realized it hadn’t been him at the wheel the SUV had taken off?
“I’m fine. Honest,” she said, reassurance shining in her eyes.
Dale let out a breath he hadn’t realized he’d been holding, but the tension in his chest didn’t fully ease. “I swear, when I heard what happened—” He stopped himself, releasing her to run a hand through his hair.
“The SUV cut me off, but I didn’t hit anything,” she said. “I’m okay. So is your truck.”
His truck?
“I don’t give a shit about my truck, Sadie,” he muttered, setting a hand back on her shoulder, needing the connection. “You’re sure you’re not hurt?”
