Chapter Five
D ale followed Gabe into the open bay door on the side of the ESI building, noting several guys working on SUVs and two others sparring on a mat in the middle of the garage. There was a huge birdcage against the back wall, where a woman stood talking to two parrots. It wasn’t until she turned sideways that he recognized her to be Gabe’s sister, Rylee.
He’d heard she was also an ESI agent, and a darn good one. Dale was shocked that his overprotective friend was okay with her working such a risky job. Perhaps married life had mellowed the guy. He bit back a grin. This Lyndsey was a miracle worker.
Levi “Mac” McCall, the owner and head of ESI, was the first to notice them. A broad smile spread across his face as he straightened from one of the SUVs and approached, extending a hand. “Dale Taylor, in the flesh. Long time, no see, brother. Any chance you’re going to take me up on that job offer yet?”
Dale shook Mac’s hand, grinning. “Good to see you, Mac. I’m still thinking about it. Thought I’d bring some reinforcements.” He nodded toward the box of donuts in the sheriff’s hands.
Mac’s eyes lit up. “Now, that’s the kind of back-up I can get behind. And, Gabe, you always know how to make an entrance.”
Gabe laughed. “Just doing my civic duty, Mac. And I’m actually hoping Dale would consider working with me.”
Dale’s brows shot up. “You mean, like a deputy or something?”
The sheriff nodded. “Yes, you’d start out as a deputy.”
Huh.
Gabe set his free hand on his shoulder. “Just think about it. But right now, your dad comes first.”
He nodded. Definitely.
Dean, RJ, Cooper, and Carter quickly joined them, each taking turns shaking Dale’s hand. He’d served on the teams with Dean, RJ, and Cooper, and worked a few joint ops with the Delta guys, Mac and Carter, as well as Sinjin, Hunter, Dex, and Dante, who weren’t there.
“Dale, you’re a sight for sore eyes,” Dean said.
“Yeah, good to see you, Delta .” RJ grinned.
Cooper slapped his shoulder. “Great to have you in town. Any chance we can add another SEAL to our team? These Delta guys kind of got us outnumbered.”
Dale shrugged. “Not sure what I’m going to do yet,” he answered honestly.
“With his call sign Delta , I don’t think it would count.” Carter laughed.
“Give the poor guy a chance to get settled,” Rylee said, walking up to kiss his cheek. “Nice to see you, Dale.”
“You too, Rylee.” He smiled.
“Let’s take this reunion to the breakroom where we can enjoy the donuts, and I’ll put on a pot of coffee,” she said, turning to walk toward a door on his left.
“They’re all Boston Cream,” he informed. “Except for a cinnamon bun Loni added for Dean.”
Dean grinned. “I’ll be sure to thank her later.”
Everyone laughed as they followed Rylee down a hall and into a room with two large round tables in the middle and a kitchenette on the back wall. She walked over to the counter and got to work on their coffee while he and the guys all settled around one table.
“So, how’s your dad holding up?” Mac asked.
His smile faded slightly, and he sat back in his seat. “He’s hanging in there. Concussion and a broken shoulder, arm, and ribs. It’s going to be a long recovery.”
“Damn.” Mac shook his head.
RJ frowned. “That must’ve been some fall.”
“We hadn’t realized it was that serious,” Cooper said.
“Yeah.” Dean nodded, settling down next to him. “Sorry, man. Shoulder recovery is a bitch.”
Dale nodded.
The former SEAL was speaking from experience. Dean and RJ had been in a helicopter crash that claimed three lives. Dale’s chest tightened, remembering the scene when the rest of the team had gone in to rescue them. The pilot, copilot, and Troy, their newest member, had died. Dean had nearly lost an arm, and RJ had broken his back. Both were so damn lucky, although those injuries had ended their Navy careers.
He noted none of his buddies appeared to miss the military. They’d adjusted well. He wondered what the secret was.
Working at ESI?
“Despite it all, he’s in good spirits,” Gabe said, taking the chair on his right.
Carter, ever the practical one, waited for the coffee to finish so he could fill a cup. “Good to hear. We were worried when we heard.”
Mac clapped a hand on Dale’s shoulder when the rest of them got up to grab coffee. “Anything you need, you know we’re here for you.”
“Thanks,” he said, appreciating the support. “Actually, that’s part of why I’m here.” He settled back down, coffee in hand. “Gabe and I went out to the ranch this morning to check out the field where the accident happened.”
Gabe reached for a donut. “And we had the distinct feeling we were being watched. Saw movement in the woods, so we investigated. It spooked whoever was there. He or she ran, and we couldn’t follow because the damn brush was too thick.”
“Seriously?” Cooper’s eyebrows shot up. “Someone’s creeping around the ranch?”
Dale nodded grimly. “Yeah. We lost the guy in the woods. But it’s clear someone’s been there, watching us. And maybe my dad.”
His stomach knotted at the thought.
RJ set his donut down and wiped some crumbs off his mouth. “That’s messed up.”
“Big time.” Carter frowned. “We need to get out there and secure the place. I’ve got some new tech that Tyler and I finished last week.”
Tyler was a former Navy pilot as well as Gabe and Rylee’s younger brother. Dale had heard the guy had been in an accident that had compromised the vision in one of his eyes. But he’d also heard that despite a successful corrective surgery, Tyler had chosen to remain in Texas and work part-time on technology with Carter, mostly because he’d fallen for a local artist.
Must be something in the damn water around here. Dale made a mental note to buy a case of bottled water to be safe. He didn’t have time to become the latest victim.
An image of Sadie with a blush in her cheeks and warmth in her mesmerizing eyes flashed through his head, screwing with his pulse.
Yeah, he’d made the right decision to play it cool in front of her at the bakery. Although, he’d felt like an ass for causing the light in her eyes to dim.
“What do you think, Sheriff?” Mac asked Gabe, regaining Dale’s attention. “Full security work-up?”
Gabe nodded. “Affirmative. Cameras, motion sensors, the works. We can’t take any chances if this person was actually responsible for Sam’s accident.”
Just then, Gabe’s radio crackled to life, a voice urgently requesting his presence at a police matter. Gabe sighed, giving Dale a quick pat on the back. “Duty calls. You guys take care of the ranch, and after this call, I’ll take a couple of my deputies to search those woods.”
As Gabe hurried out, Mac turned back to the group. “All right, you heard the man. Let’s gear up and head to the Taylor ranch…after we polish off the rest of these donuts.”
“And I’ll start researching the land next door,” Rylee said.
Dale scratched his temple. “As far as I know, Arthur Shipley still owns it.”
Rylee nodded. “Roger that. I’ll start digging into it now,” she said before exiting the room.
A few minutes later, with the last of the donuts polished off, Dean, Cooper, and Carter left the breakroom to gather their equipment. RJ lingered a moment, his phone buzzing with a text.
He chuckled, looking up at Dale. “My wife said she just finished having lattes with Sadie, and that her friend was happy to see you. She also said you and Sadie had some catching up to do.”
He swallowed a curse. The last thing he needed was RJ’s wife playing matchmaker. Right now, things were a little too dangerous for Sadie to be around him or his father.
“She lives next to my dad,” he said, rising to his feet to set his empty cup in the sink. “She’s been looking after his dog and the horses at the ranch.”
RJ and Mac stood and followed him to the sink.
“Well, according to my wife, Sadie’s had a bit of a glow to her today.” RJ grinned. “Just saying.”
Mac laughed, clapping Dale on the back. “Sounds like there’s more than just old friends in town for you, huh?”
He exhaled. “Timing is off. Let’s just focus on securing the ranch…not my love life.”
They all laughed, the camaraderie and light-hearted teasing a welcome relief from the tension of the past few days. As the guys gathered their gear, Dale felt a renewed sense of purpose. His friends had his back, and together, they’d make sure the ranch was safe.
But what about his father’s new house?
He approached the back of the open SUV the men were loading. “I’m wondering if we need to put equipment on my dad’s house in town, too.”
“That’s right.” Mac turned to him and frowned. “Sam doesn’t live at the ranch anymore. We’d better secure both places.”
Carter nodded. “Roger that. I’ve got plenty of goodies just dying for me to give them a purpose.”
Dale chuckled. “Thanks. Just give me the bill for both.”
There was no price he wouldn’t pay to keep his father safe.
Carter shook his head. “No can do, Delta.”
He frowned. “Why not?”
“Bossman isn’t going to allow it,” Carter answered, gathering more gadgets from a locker.
He turned to Mac. “I’m happy to pay. After all, I’m taking up your time, keeping you from a job.”
“The five of us don’t have a mission right now.” Mac shrugged. “All you’re keeping us from is boredom.”
“Still, I can’t let you do that,” he insisted. “I know how costly surveillance equipment is.”
The former Delta leader lifted a brow. “Your family is in danger. We take care of our own.”
Recognizing the steely determined glint in his buddy’s eyes, Dale knew he was wasting his breath and time. A smile tugged at his lips as he shook his head. “Still as stubborn as a damn ox, I see.”
Mac grinned. “Damn straight.”
As the ESI team gathered more equipment, Dale took a moment to appreciate the scene. These men were more than just colleagues, they were family. And family stuck together, no matter what.
“All right, let’s head out,” Mac said a few minutes later.
The team piled into their vehicles, the mood shifting to a more serious tone as they approached the task at hand. Dale felt a mix of gratitude and determination as he walked to his truck parked behind the building next door. They’d get to the bottom of this, and his father would be safe.
Ten minutes later, they pulled up to the ranch he’d called home most of his life. The sight of his friends ready to secure it eased some of his misgivings. That sense of being watched was currently absent, but Dale knew they’d return. He felt it in his bones.
If only he could figure out who it was. He’d racked his brain to come up with anyone who might have a beef with his father but came up empty. Sam Taylor had always treated his workers, friends, and associates fairly.
Hell, his dad had even made it a provision in the sale of his bulls that his ranch hands were part of the deal, so they wouldn’t be out of a job.
“Okay,” Mac said. “Walk us through what happened, then we’ll get to work here.”
Dale showed them the location of his father’s accident, then led them to the bushes where someone had been watching him and Gabe. The urge to find a clearing and start searching the woods was strong, but he resisted, not wanting to chance botching any leads.
Gabe was the most capable man he knew. If something was out there, the sheriff would find it.
Dale had enjoyed working under Gabe’s command and with Cooper, Dean, and RJ, but after the guys had left active duty, Dale transferred to a SEAL team on the East Coast where his brother was stationed. He’d made deep connections there too, but it hadn’t been the same.
“Okay, we’ve got enough info. Let’s set up,” Mac said.
“On it, Bossman.” Carter saluted, deployed an about-face maneuver, and headed back toward the driveway.
He exchanged an amused look with the others. “Is he always like that?”
“Usually, he’s worse,” Dean replied.
Mac snorted. “We’d better catch up, or he’ll have you outfitted to intercept transmission with the space station.”
Laughing, they sprinted to catch up to Carter, and they spent the next few hours setting up the equipment. During that time, the sheriff arrived with two deputies and began searching the woods.
Once again, the urge to search was strong for Dale, but he forced himself to focus on securing the ranch.
The sun was starting to set by the time they finished their work and gathered on the porch. Gabe and his deputies still hadn’t returned, but he couldn’t linger. He needed to get to the hospital to check on his father before visiting hours ended.
Mac clapped Dale on the back. “You’re all set here. We’ll monitor the feeds and keep an eye on things.”
Dean nodded, a determined look in his eyes. “If anyone tries anything, we’ll be ready.”
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 that off limits bullshit 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.”
Sam’s eyes twinkled with amusement. “Don’t you think you’re going a bit overboard worrying about your old man?”
Dale’s smile faded. “First off, you’re not old. Hell, you’ve got enough flowers in here to open a florist shop.” He waved at the bouquets that now spilled onto the windowsill. “We’ll circle back to that later. Second, I’m not just worried. Something’s off about your accident. Gabe and I were being watched while we were out in the field.”
His father’s expression grew serious. “You think it’s related to my fall?”
Dale nodded. “It’s possible. We’re not taking any chances.”
Sam frowned. “Then you better make sure Sadie doesn’t come over. I don’t want anything to happen to that girl.”
Neither did he.
Dale nodded. “I’m taking care of it. I promise. If anyone tries anything at the ranch, we’ll be ready.”
“I don’t doubt it,” his father said. “Hear from your brother?”
He shook his head. “I called the base earlier. They’re not back yet. I’ll keep trying.” He’d also tried the cell phone his brother had to leave on base too. Just in case. No answer, though.
“No, don’t worry about it. I don’t want you badgering him.”
Dale snorted. “Dad, I’m more worried about Cas’s reaction if I didn’t try to call him.”
Sam laughed. “True. He always was hot-headed.”
“Understatement of the year.” He smiled.
His father glanced at him, a twinkle in his eye. “So, I had an interesting visit from those bakery twins today. They brought me some amazing bear claws they know I like, and they told me you used to go to school with Sadie. They also told me she had a crush on you.”
Dale groaned but couldn’t help smiling. “One thing at a time, Dad. One thing at a time.”
It seemed as if all of Harland County was conspiring against him and his desire to keep the pretty woman at arm’s length.
He just hoped he had enough resolve to follow through.