Chapter 20 Xavier
Xavier
I’d been avoiding my phone for nearly four days. Everything that needed to get done was done from my laptop and from the cabin. I saw no reason to leave the ranch anymore, not when the sheriff and probably the entire town thought I was a thief.
I didn’t even bother checking my texts. For all I knew, Marcus had sent a dozen apologies, or maybe he hadn’t sent anything at all. Either way, I didn’t want to know and I didn’t care.
The wedding was in three days, and I’d managed to coordinate everything remotely.
The florist confirmed delivery, tents had already been set up, and the photographer knew the timeline.
I’d even finalized the seating chart and sent it to the printer in town, arranging for Mabel to pick it up rather than face anyone myself.
I stared at my laptop screen, reviewing the ceremony timeline for what felt like the hundredth time. Everything was perfect. Everything was ready. And the moment this wedding was over, I was getting the hell out of Texas and never looking back.
A knock at the cabin door made me tense. I considered ignoring it, but the knocking persisted.
“Xavier?” It was Lucas. “I know you’re in there. Open up.”
I sighed, closing my laptop and crossing to the door. When I opened it, Lucas stood there with two cups of coffee and a determined expression.
“I brought a peace offering,” he said, holding up one of the cups.
“I’m not mad at you,” I replied, but I took the coffee, anyway. The smell alone was enough to make me soften slightly.
“I know. But you’re hurt, and you’re hiding, and that’s not like you.” He pushed past me into the cabin, making himself comfortable on the small couch. “The Xavier I know would’ve marched into town and given everyone a piece of his mind by now.”
“The Xavier you know hasn’t been accused of being a thief by someone he—” I cut myself off, taking a sip of coffee to avoid finishing that sentence.
“By someone you care about?” Lucas finished for me, his expression knowing.
I didn’t answer, just sat down in the chair across from him.
“He’s miserable too, you know,” Lucas said quietly. “Beau told me Marcus hasn’t been sleeping. He’s been working the case nonstop, trying to find the real thief. I think he’s trying to make it up to you.”
“Well, that’s just wonderful for him,” I said bitterly. “He gets to play hero and catch the bad guy while I get to sit here feeling like the entire town thinks I’m a criminal.”
“Nobody thinks that,” Lucas insisted. When I didn’t budge, he let out a long sigh. “Everything set for the wedding then?” he asked, changing the subject.
“Yep,” I nodded, taking another sip. “All I need you to do is confirm everything with Dolly for the food.”
“Oh, well Beau and I were just about to head down to the diner for dinner. Why don’t you come with us?”
“I don’t really feel like—”
“Xavier,” Lucas said, his voice firm as he placed a hand on my arm. “You’ve been holed up in here for four days. You need to get out. Some food and fresh air would do you good.”
“I won’t be getting either of those at Dolly’s,” I sighed.
“Well, that’s too damn bad.” He stood up, holding his hand out to me. “You’re coming with us to dinner. No arguments.”
I let out a long sigh. This obstinate side of Lucas was all too familiar. Once he set his mind to something, he didn’t give up. It would be easier just to humor him this once. Then we could get the wedding over with and I could go home, leaving Sagebrush in my rearview mirror forever.
“Fine,” I grumbled, taking his hand. “But no surprises. That sheriff better not be there with some stupid Hallmark apology bouquet.”
Lucas grinned. “You have my word. He won’t be there. I’ll even call ahead and check.”
I watched Lucas pull out his phone and dial, pacing near the window as he waited for someone to pick up. After a moment, his face brightened.
“Hey Dolly, it’s Lucas... Yeah, we’re good. Listen, Beau and I were planning to come by for dinner in about twenty minutes with Xavier. Is Marcus there by any chance?” He paused, listening. “Perfect. Thanks, Dolly. See you soon.”
He hung up and turned to me with a satisfied expression. “Coast is clear. Marcus left about an hour ago and hasn’t been back.”
“Great,” I muttered, setting down my coffee cup and heading to the bedroom to change. I wasn’t about to walk into that diner looking like I’d been hiding in a cabin for four days, even if that’s exactly what I’d been doing.
I pulled on a fresh shirt—nothing too fancy, just a simple black tee that actually had sleeves for once—and ran my fingers through my hair.
My reflection in the mirror looked tired.
Dark circles under my eyes that even my expensive concealer couldn’t fully hide.
I looked like shit, honestly, but it would have to do.
When I emerged, Lucas and Beau were waiting by the door. Beau gave me a sympathetic smile that made my stomach twist. I hated being pitied, especially by people I actually liked.
“Ready?” Beau asked gently.
“As I’ll ever be,” I replied, following them out into the evening air.
The drive to town felt longer than usual, probably because I spent the entire time mentally preparing myself for the stares and whispers that were sure to follow. Small towns thrived on gossip, and I had no doubt that everyone knew the sheriff had searched my cabin by now.
When we pulled up to Dolly’s, my stomach clenched. Through the large front windows, I could see the diner was moderately busy. There were a handful of people scattered across the booths and bar stools. My hand hesitated on the door handle.
“We can always get takeout and eat at the ranch,” Lucas offered, reading my hesitation.
“No,” I said, forcing steel into my voice. “I’m not going to hide. Let them stare.”
I pushed open the door and stepped inside, immediately hit by the familiar scent of fried food and coffee. The conversation didn’t stop entirely, but I felt several pairs of eyes turn toward me. I kept my chin up, refusing to show how much it affected me.
“Well, look who finally decided to show his face,” Dolly called from behind the counter. But her tone wasn’t hostile—if anything, she sounded almost... apologetic?
I approached the counter cautiously as Lucas and Beau headed toward our usual booth. “Dolly.”
She set down the rag she’d been using to wipe the counter and leaned forward, her expression unusually serious. “Xavier, honey, I need to talk to you.”
My defenses immediately went up. “If this is about Marcus—”
“It’s not,” she interrupted, holding up a hand. “Well, not directly. I owe you an apology, Xavier.”
I blinked, certain I’d misheard. Dolly? Apologizing to me?
She reached under the counter and pulled out a set of keys, setting them on the surface between us. “I found these this morning. Behind the cash register. They’d fallen back there somehow, probably when you set them down the other day.”
I stared at the keys, recognition slowly dawning. “Those are your spare keys.”
“The ones I gave you for the bachelor party,” she confirmed, her expression sheepish. “I... I told Marcus you still had them. That you hadn’t returned them. But you did return them, didn’t you? You set them right here on the counter after the bachelor party.”
My chest tightened as understanding crashed over me. “You told Marcus I had your keys when your things were stolen.”
“I did,” she admitted, genuine remorse coloring her features. “And I’m sorry, sugar. I was so sure you still had them, and when Marcus asked... I didn’t think twice about pointing him in your direction.”
I felt anger flare hot in my chest, but beneath it was something else. Relief. Because this meant Marcus hadn’t just decided on his own that I was guilty. Someone had literally pointed the finger at me.
“I know it doesn’t make up for what happened,” Dolly continued, wringing her hands. “But I wanted you to know that I was the one who put that idea in his head. Marcus was just doin’ his job, followin’ the lead I gave him.”
I wanted to stay angry. Wanted to hold onto my righteous indignation. But looking at Dolly’s genuinely apologetic expression, I found some of the fury draining away.
“Thank you for telling me,” I said quietly.
“For what it’s worth,” she added, her voice softer now, “I never really thought you did it. Once I had time to think about it, anyway. You’re too...” she gestured vaguely at me, “fancy for theft. You’d probably hire someone to steal for you.”
Despite everything, I felt a laugh bubble up. “That’s possibly the weirdest compliment I’ve ever received.”
She smiled, some of the tension easing from her shoulders. “I’m serious though, Xavier. I’m real sorry. And I told Marcus the same thing this mornin’ when I found the keys. Told him he needed to make this right with you.”
My stomach flipped at the mention of Marcus. “What did he say?”
“Not much,” Dolly admitted. “But he looked about as miserable as a man can look. Been workin’ himself half to death trying to catch whoever’s really behind these thefts.”
I nodded, not trusting myself to speak. Part of me wanted to know more, wanted to ask if Marcus had said anything about me specifically. But the other part… the part that was still hurt and angry, didn’t want to care.
“Anyway,” Dolly said, clearly sensing my reluctance to discuss Marcus further, “what can I get you boys to eat?”
I glanced back at Lucas and Beau, who were already settled in the booth, pretending not to watch our conversation even though I knew they’d heard every word.
“I’ll have whatever they’re having,” I said, sliding onto a bar stool. “And maybe one of those strawberry milkshakes you make.”
Dolly’s face brightened. “Comin’ right up, sugar.”
As she bustled away to place our orders, I felt some of the tension drain from my shoulders. The other patrons had mostly gone back to their own conversations, the initial curiosity about my appearance apparently satisfied. Maybe this wouldn’t be as awful as I’d anticipated.