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The thought of not seeing her again caused his stomach to churn with an unsettling feeling. Perhaps he’d been in denial all this time. Sarah could be spending time with him to humor him.
Tonight, Sarah and Brielle had opted for a girls’ night at the country club. Okay, so Sarah hadn’t looked like she wanted to go when Brielle brought it up, but she had agreed. When Dax had offered to go to keep her company, she declined.
It was like they’d taken one step forward and two steps back in their relationship. Dax sat on the edge of the porch steps, staring out at the darkness, lost in his thoughts. An unseasonably cool breeze ruffled his hair. He could go on a horse ride, or for a walk. But what he really wanted to do was surprise Sarah at the club. He could hold her in his arms and try to get that connection back that they’d managed to lose.
Dax rose to his feet and strode toward his truck just as the sheriff’s car pulled onto the property. He slowed his steps, waiting for the patrol car to come to a stop. The sheriff climbed out and shut the door, his gaze landing on Dax.
For a moment Dax thought the sheriff would head for the house, but instead the man waved him over. “Dax. Just the guy I want to see.”
Dax stiffened. “Is everything okay?” The sheriff didn’t usually visit the ranch unless he needed to speak to Zeke or Sarah. She’d met with him for lunch earlier that day. Had she said something about him?
This could very well be that meeting a guy had with the girl’s father. Except the sheriff wasn’t Sarah’s father. Dax swallowed hard and shoved his hands into his pockets as he headed toward the sheriff.
“Thereissomething we need to discuss.”
That sick feeling in Dax’s stomach worsened. “Is this about Sarah?”
Sheriff Donahue glanced at the house, then back to him. “Is she here?”
Dax shook his head. “She went to the country club with Brielle.”
If Dax hadn’t been focused on the sheriff, he wouldn’t have noticed the slight way the sheriff stiffened. “She came by for lunch today.” He dragged a hand down his face. “And she mentioned seeing someone last week that had caused her some concern.”
His brows pulled together. She hadn’t mentioned any concern to him.
“She mentioned someone had been watching you two.”
“Yeah, someone was watching us when we went outside for some air at the club.” His heart beat a little faster. “Did she know who it was?”
The sheriff ticked his jaw back and forth. His reaction was enough to confirm Dax’s question.
“Who is it, sheriff?” His hands clenched in his pockets. If this person was enough of a concern for Sarah to mention them to her uncle, then Dax wanted to know what was going on. He wasn’t going to let anything hurt Sarah. Least of all some twerp who wasn’t willing to show his face.
“That doesn’t matter. What matters is that you need to keep an eye out for him. I think he might be hanging around. You should probably go to the country club and help keep them safe.” He nodded to the house. “Is Zeke home? I’d like to speak to him as well.”
“Wait! Keep them safe? What’s going on? I can’t go into this blind.”
The sheriff gave him a pointed look. “You aren’t going into anything. I just want you to keep an eye out. If you see him, call me right away.” He moved past Dax and headed for the house.
Dax chased after him. “Who is this guy? Will he hurt her? What’s going on?”
The sheriff only glanced at him. “It doesn’t concern you. Your job is just to be there. Can you handle that?”
“Sure, but—” Dax hurried around and faced the sheriff. “I’m dating your niece.”
He didn’t look surprised at all.
Dax let out a sigh. “I’m in love with her, sir. I’m not going to let anything or anyone hurt her. I think I deserve to know what’s going on. Does this have something to do with why she’s here? She mentioned that she’s got a colored past…”
Sheriff Donahue considered him, and Dax almost thought the guy would finally tell him what was going on, but instead he shook his head. “I appreciate your candor, son. But I’m not going to share anything that Sarah hasn’t already shared. If she doesn’t want to give you any details, then that’s up to her.” He placed a heavy hand on Dax’s shoulder. “You get out to the country club and stay alert. Anything that seems out of the ordinary, call me.”
Dax nodded, his shoulders slumping. He hadn’t felt this at a loss in a long time. The sheriff headed up the porch stairs and Dax spun around. “You didn’t give me a description.”
The sheriff paused at the top of the steps and turned around. “Young man. Brown hair. Brown eyes.”
That didn’t do any good. Half of the people who came through town could be described that way. Dax would have to base his judgment on the way that Sarah reacted if she saw whoever he was supposed to protect her from.
The whole drive to the country club, he tried to remember the shadow person from that night. There were no discernable features. He hadn’t been able to tell for certain if the person was male or female. At least now he had something more to go off of.
