“You need one regardless,” Dale said, stepping closer to her. “Like it or not, you have a target on your back now. Whoever did this might not stop at the barn or a fender bender. I’m not about to let anything happen to you.”
“Belly rub…Love you.” The words from the cat buttons echoed down the hall, breaking the tension, causing everyone to laugh.
He cocked his head as a thought occurred. “If not for your or your cousin’s safety, do it to keep Tesla safe. Let them put in that security system.”
Emotions flickered across her face. Dale held his breath, waiting for her answer.
“You don’t play fair.” Sadie sighed, her shoulders slumping slightly.
“I’m not playing,” he countered.
She sighed again. “Fine. I don’t like it, but I get it. Just make sure it doesn’t mess with the vibe of the house, okay?”
Carter gave her a reassuring nod. “We’ll keep it discreet. I promise. You won’t even notice it’s there—until you need it.”
“IfI need it,” she corrected.
Gabe momentarily set a hand on her shoulder. “Better to be safe than sorry.”
That seemed to be the motto lately.
“And to keep our wives off our backs,” RJ added.
She laughed, and Dale expelled a breath, relieved to have resolved at least one issue. She frowned. “What’s wrong?”
“Just need to figure out how to watch my dad’s house and ranch at the same time, as well as help him out when he’s released.”
Mac sipped his coffee then set it down. “When is he being released?”
“Haven’t gotten specifics yet.” Dale shrugged. “But it could be as soon as tomorrow. I hope to find out when I go visit him later.”
“I have an obvious solution,” Carter said before biting into a cookie.
RJ shook his head. “Well? What is it, idjit?”
Carter shrugged. “We have a perfectly good, state-of-the-art secured and currently vacant safe house apartment at ESI. Why not take him there after he’s discharged? Since I live across the hall, I’ll make sure he’s safe.”
Cooper slapped Carter’s back. “Great suggestion. You do come up with them occasionally.”
“That would free me up to move out to the ranch, since nothing’s happened at the house,” he said.
Mac shook his head. “No need. Sinjin and Hunter are scheduled to bivouac on the property, starting tonight. They’ll also take care of the horses.”
“But I promised Sam I’d do that,” Sadie said, straightening her shoulders.
Dale set a hand on her stiff shoulder and lightly squeezed. “He’d understand and absolutely agree with Mac.”
Both Sinjin and Hunter were highly capable and lethal, with the ability to blend into the shadows. Just knowing they were out at the ranch took a lot of weight off Dale’s shoulders.
“Well, shit.” Carter snickered. “Anyone stupid enough to set foot on that property now is going to go missing permanently.”
The sheriff cleared his throat. “I’ll pretend I didn’t hear that. And I think that’s my cue to leave.” He turned to Dale. “I’ll get an APB out on that SUV and check out those traffic cams. I’ll also make sure we have extra patrols in this area. Whoever’s behind this is going to slip up, and when they do, we’ll be ready.”
With a final nod to the group, Gabe turned to leave, but not before grabbing the last cookie off the plate. Smiling, the sheriff headed for the door amidst a bunch of grumbling.
“Well, I think that’s our cue,” Mac said, rising to his feet. “We have some spare equipment next door. Let’s use it to get started here, and we’ll come back in the morning with the rest.”
He watched the ESI guys all straighten and nod.
