“If you say so.Right now, I’ve got to have a word with Chief King about the festival’s security plans.I can’t leave you alone.”
“I’ll go with you,” Sarah said.“They won’t need me here for a while.”
Someone hurried down the block, making a beeline for Sarah.He wore dress slacks and shoes, a nice shirt, with hair neatly combed.Sarah wished he hadn’t seen her.Donovan Sinclair.
“Dear, dear Sarah,” Donovan said, stopping only inches from her and taking her shoulders.He completely ignored Ben.“I’ve been so worried about you.A stalker!I’ve heard the news and it’s just terrible.Have you been all right?”
Extricating herself, Sarah said, “Yes, thank you.It’s been pretty scary.But I have help.May I introduce you to my bodyguard Ben Paxton?”
Donovan barely acknowledged Ben.“Of course you should have a bodyguard.Why didn’t you tell me?I could hire someone local.”
“Ben is Rio’s boss.He owns a security consulting business.”
“Oh.Well, at least you’ll be safe.We should discuss this over a meal.And we should finalize our lease agreement.”He rubbed his hands together.
“That’s just the thing,” Sarah began.“I’ve decided to delay opening my feed barn.I’ll be going back to New York for a while, to make a little money.Then, I can buy property and build exactly what I want.”
“Sarah, are you certain that is wise?Only think, with a lease you have no worries about maintaining the structure.I’ll cut the rent.”
“No, Donovan.Uh thank you—”
“Dear,” he said, looking desperate, “you’ll much prefer a lease, and I’ll make it so attractive—”
“That’s enough,” Ben said on a low growl.
Donovan blinked at him.“Pardon me?”
“I said that’s enough.The lady said no.Enjoy your day.”With that, Ben took Sarah’s elbow and steered her away.
She shrugged in apology but allowed herself to be steered toward the police department.
Donovan Sinclair watched her go, a forlorn look of loss on his face.
Sarah pursed her lips.“Thank you,” she said to Ben.“He’s a nice man, albeit a tad pushy.”
“No!”Ben said in dripping sarcasm.Texting Franklin, Simmons, and Jones to meet them at the police department, he urged Sarah to walk faster across the square.His team had already arrived.
Inside the department, Chief King greeted them.He explained how his police force security team worked, then Ben introduced his men.
“We’re here to watch Sarah,” Ben said, “and we’ll stay out of your officers’ ways.My men are well trained and won’t interfere with your normal activities.”
“Understood,” Chief King said.“We haven’t heard yet about Ridley Kemper.The Idaho authorities say he’s fallen ill and sent him to the jail’s infirmary, so they can’t interrogate him yet about his recent activities.”
“That’s why we can’t lower our guard.”Ben exchanged meaningful glances with his men.
“Agreed.”Chief King leaned against an old file cabinet.“Better safe than sorry.”
“I’ll be setting up a perimeter around Sarah,” Ben said.“Simmons’s my new tech guy.He’s brought our own comms and ear buds so we can communicate.”
The men continued the discussion.After an hour and a half, Sarah grew restive.She tugged on Ben’s sleeve.“I need to get back to Milly.See how she’s doing.”
He nodded.“We’re done here.Chief, see you in the morning.Early.”
They left, with the other men again setting out to patrol the square.
At the salon, Milly was just having a clear coat of lacquer over her newly red nails.Her hair had been cut to swing above her shoulders, darkened to a shiny, medium brown and parted on the side.She was glowing.
“Look, Sarah.”She held up her manicured fingers.“Aren’t they pretty?”
