A pause. Background noise—voices, a radio crackling.
“I’m on scene right now,” Sutherland said. “Won’t be back at my desk for a bit. But text me the plate numbers. I’ll run it as soon as I can.”
Caleb exhaled. “I appreciate it.”
“You think it’s connected to your place? That someone knows what you’re doing?”
His jaw tightened at the thought. He prayed that wasn’t the case. “I don’t know yet.”
“Then don’t assume the worst,” Sutherland said. “But don’t ignore it either.”
“That’s the plan.”
“Send me the number. I’ll call you.”
The line went dead.
Caleb texted the information and set his phone down on the desk. He stared at it longer than necessary.
He didn’t like unanswered questions. Didn’t like things circling the edges. But he couldn’t stand here all day worrying either.
There were dogs to feed. Runs to clean. Supplies to inventory. Intake paperwork waiting on his desk.
Refuge Cove didn’t pause just because something unsettled him.
The work never ended.
He stepped away from the desk. As he did, his gaze caught on the files stacked near the corner—permits, invoices, letters from donors who meant well but couldn’t commit.
Refuge Cove needed more help. More staff. Better cameras.
Then there were the notices about the land dispute with the Hendersons.
Caleb shook his head.
He tried to plan for every angle, but without a crystal ball to see into the future, that was impossible.
Whoever had shown up at the gate this morning hadn’t scared him off.
The only thing he could do was keep moving. Keep building. Keep protecting what they’d started.
At that thought, Caleb stepped out of the office and headed toward the kennels.
Working and staying busy was his best medicine.
After lunch, Millie sat on her bed reading a women’s contemporary fiction novel she’d found on the bookshelf. She turned the pages without absorbing much. She’d read a paragraph. Then another. Then she’d reread both paragraphs.
Finally, she gave up and stared at the wall.
The house was quiet right now.
Naomi had taken Sissy into town for a doctor’s appointment. Naomi had explained that though they tried not to leave the house except for emergencies, getting medical care for Sissy while she was pregnant was a necessary risk.
Millie felt impatient. She wanted answers about that car. She was anxious to be around other people. She needed something to distract her from her thoughts.
Finally, she heard the side door open.
She rushed downstairs, hoping to see Caleb and get an update on the car. Biscuit stayed at her heels.
