Page 38 of Dale
“You,” Carter replied. “Youthinking you’ll be sleeping anywhere other than her bed tonight.”
Swift anger prickled his shoulder blades. Dale straightened and clenched his fists. “Watch it.”
“Calm down. I’m not saying anything against Sadie’s character. It’s just, I remember the out-of-control, wild era of my beginning with Mel,” Carter explained. “Our desire to protect starts off with good intentions but quickly escalates until, before you know it, you’re naked under the sheets. Or on them.”
Mac nodded. “Happened to all of us.”
Dale shook his head. “We’re just starting to get to know each other. It’s not going to happen with me. Sadie’s safety is more important than my damn libido.”
“We thought the same thing.” Mac slapped his shoulder. “Don’t beat yourself up about it. Just put safeguards in place.”
With that, the pair moved off to examine another room, leaving Dale alone with his thoughts. He knew the guys meant well, but they’d completely mistaken his situation with Sadie. Yes, he was extremely attracted to her and knew she felt the same. But he intended to put a halt on their fast-moving train until it was safe to ride it out.
He glanced down the hall, watching the sweet woman sit on the floor and snuggle her cat. Since hearing about that damn SUV, Dale’s protective instincts toward her were on high alert. He wasn’t about to let anything—or anyone—hurt Sadie. Not on his watch.
Chapter Twelve
Sadie heard the familiar sound of Dale’s truck pulling into his dad’s driveway next door, and anticipation fluttered in her chest. The evening had been a little more tense than she’d expected, probably because her mind started to comprehend her situation. Weirdly enough, it hadn’t hit home until Dale had left to visit his father. Nothing against Mac and Cooper, who were still there keeping her company, which was in actuality, the two of them guarding her.
Thankfully, there were no incidents, not that she’d expected any, but still, there was a lingering shadow of a doubt. Shaking those doubts loose, she inhaled and blew out the breath. Enough of that.
It had been a long day, and the smell of pizza wafting through the air was a welcome distraction as she opened the door for Dale. Ranger came bounding out of the kitchen to check out the newcomer…and the pizza, no doubt.
She’d asked the guys to bring the dog over earlier. There was no reason for him to be by himself if they were all over here.
“Hey, Ranger,” Dale said, stepping inside her house. The dog wagged his tail and rubbed against his legs in response. “Dinner is served,” Dale announced with a grin, holding up two large pizza boxes and a six-pack of soda. “I figured after the day we’ve had, we could all use some comfort food.”
Mac and Cooper perked up from where they were seated in her living room, both men looking more than ready for a slice, even though she’d heated and served all the guys some leftover chili around an hour ago.
Dale’s warm, familiar presence filled the room, bringing a smile to her lips. It was exactly what she needed.
“You read my mind,” she said, then walked to the kitchen to grab plates from the cupboard and then placed them next to the boxes Dale set on the table. “How’s your dad doing?”
“Good,” he replied. “He’s getting released tomorrow. I managed to talk him into going to the safe house.”
Mac’s brows shot up as he took a seat next to Cooper. “Really? How’d you do that?”
Dale shrugged as they all settled around the table, the smell of cheesy goodness filling the kitchen. “I told him about today’s events, and he didn’t want me distracted by worrying about him. He’s more concerned about me being here to protect Sadie.”
She frowned as she loaded a slice onto her plate. “I appreciate that, but who’s going to take care of him? Your dad’s not going to be thrilled with the idea of Carter helping him in the shower or getting dressed.”
Mac grunted in agreement, and Cooper choked on his pizza.
Dale chuckled, shaking his head. “You’re right. He wouldn’t. I’m not sure how he’d react to that, but it wouldn’t be good. I was thinking about that on the way here. What are your thoughts on asking CeCe?”
Sadie raised a brow, then grinned. “That’s a great idea. CeCe would be perfect. She has a gentle nature, and your dad seems comfortable with her. I think she’d be happy to help.”
“Yeah.” He nodded, looking thoughtful. “I met her at the hospital today, and it was pretty clear those two are more than just friends. But I’d like to have Rylee run a background check on her anyway, just to be safe, if that’s okay, Mac.”
Mac swallowed the pizza in his mouth and nodded. “Absolutely. I’ll have her get on it first thing tomorrow.”
“Wait…what?” Sadie set her pizza down and frowned. “CeCe is nothing but sweet. I doubt she has a dark past.”
Dale held up his free hand in a defensive gesture. “I agree with you, but I’m not taking any chances with my dad’s safety.”
“And you shouldn’t,” Cooper said between bites. “Unfortunately, we’ve been exposed to a different side of people, Sadie.”
She sighed. “Okay, I get it. But you’re going to owe her an apology if she finds out.”
