“These are the prints I was tellin’ you about,” Dakota said, pointing down at the mud.
I crouched down to get a better look, pulling out my phone to take some pictures. He was right, these were definitely smaller than the typical work boot prints you’d expect to see around a ranch. The tread pattern was distinctive too, some kind of athletic shoe or sneaker, not the boots everyone around here wore.
“You said these showed up this morning?” I asked, studying the depth and clarity of the impressions.
“Yeah. We had that light rain last night, remember? Ground was still soft this morning when I came out to check on the horses.” Dakota crouched down beside me, his voice low. “There’s more around back too, near the window to Caroline’s room.”
That got my attention. I stood up, brushing off my knees. “Show me.”
We walked around to the back of the house, and sure enough, there were more prints in the soft earth beneath Caroline’s first-floor window. Whoever had been here had stood in this spot for a while. The prints were deeper, like they’d been shifting their weight back and forth.
“Caroline notice anything unusual? Anyone watching the house?” I asked.
“She said she thought she heard something a couple nights ago, but when she looked out, there was nothing there.” Dakota ran a hand through his hair, clearly frustrated. “We all just figured it was a coyote or something.”
I took more pictures, documenting the scene. My mind was already working through possibilities. This wasn’t random theft by some opportunistic ranch hand. This was targeted, someone who knew the property, knew when people would be away from their rooms, and knew what to take that would have value.
“Any of the rodeo students been acting strange?” I asked. “Or their parents?”
Dakota shook his head. “Most of ‘em are regulars or locals. They spend their days in the arena or out ridin’. Don’t really have time to be sneaking around stealing jewelry.”
“What about new employees? Anyone hired on recently?”
“Just Alex, and he’s been here for months now.” He shook his head, his long hair catching the sunlight. “And Alex is with Dustin. He’s got more money than God. I doubt they’d steal just for fun.”
I nodded, making notes in my phone. “I’m gonna need a list of everyone who’s been on the property in the last week. Students, delivery people, vendors—everyone.”
“I can get that for you,” Dakota said. “Logan keeps good records.”
We walked back toward the front of the house, and I noticed Xavier’s rental SUV parked near one of the main houses. My stomach did that annoying flutter thing again, and I forced myself to look away. He must’ve come in behind me.
“That the wedding planner’s car?” I asked, trying to sound casual.
“Yeah. Xavier’s been stopping by to plan Lucas’s bachelor party with Logan.” Dakota followed my gaze. “You met him yet?”
“Unfortunately,” I nodded. “He’s…somethin’else.”
“That’s putting it mildly,” Dakota grinned. “I heard he gave Dolly a run for her money the other day.”
“Nearly got himself killed, is what he did,” I replied. “Good thing I was there, or she might’ve done him in after the comments about her coffee.”
I chuckled despite myself, but the sound died when the front door of the main house opened and Xavier stepped out onto the porch.
He was wearing those same tight jeans from the other day, but he’d swapped the mesh shirt for a thin white t-shirt that somehow looked even more expensive than the mesh. His dark hair was perfectly styled, and even from this distance I could see those light brown eyes scanning the property until they landed on me.
“Sheriff,” he called out, a smile spreading across his face. “What brings you out here? Someone finally report me for crimes against small-town sensibilities?”
I felt my jaw tighten. “Official business,” I said, keeping my voice neutral.
“Official business,” he repeated, coming down the porch steps with that confident stride that made it look like he owned the place. “How mysterious. Are you investigating something?”
“Like I said, official business.” I turned back to Dakota. “Get me that list when you can. I’m gonna take a look around the property, see if there’s any other signs of disturbance.”
“I can show you around,” Dakota offered.
“I can help too,” Xavier chimed in, now standing close enough that I caught a whiff of his cologne. Something expensive and citrusy that had no business smelling that good. “I’ve been all over this ranch the past few days. Logan and Lucas have beenshowing me around. Maybe I noticed something.” He glanced down at his feet. “Might need to borrow some boots though. These sneakers aren’t really made for mud.”
I glanced down instinctually, noticing the white sneakers already caked with mud. He had small feet for a man.
