I let out a long sigh. This obstinate side of Lucas was all too familiar. Once he set his mind to something, he didn’t give up. It would be easier just to humor him this once. Then we could get the wedding over with and I could go home, leaving Sagebrush in my rearview mirror forever.
“Fine,” I grumbled, taking his hand. “But no surprises. That sheriff better not be there with some stupid Hallmark apology bouquet.”
Lucas grinned. “You have my word. He won’t be there. I’ll even call ahead and check.”
I watched Lucas pull out his phone and dial, pacing near the window as he waited for someone to pick up. After a moment, his face brightened.
“Hey Dolly, it’s Lucas... Yeah, we’re good. Listen, Beau and I were planning to come by for dinner in about twenty minutes with Xavier. Is Marcus there by any chance?” He paused, listening. “Perfect. Thanks, Dolly. See you soon.”
He hung up and turned to me with a satisfied expression. “Coast is clear. Marcus left about an hour ago and hasn’t been back.”
“Great,” I muttered, setting down my coffee cup and heading to the bedroom to change. I wasn’t about to walk into that diner looking like I’d been hiding in a cabin for four days, even if that’s exactly what I’d been doing.
I pulled on a fresh shirt—nothing too fancy, just a simple black tee that actually had sleeves for once—and ran my fingersthrough my hair. My reflection in the mirror looked tired. Dark circles under my eyes that even my expensive concealer couldn’t fully hide. I looked like shit, honestly, but it would have to do.
When I emerged, Lucas and Beau were waiting by the door. Beau gave me a sympathetic smile that made my stomach twist. I hated being pitied, especially by people I actually liked.
“Ready?” Beau asked gently.
“As I’ll ever be,” I replied, following them out into the evening air.
The drive to town felt longer than usual, probably because I spent the entire time mentally preparing myself for the stares and whispers that were sure to follow. Small towns thrived on gossip, and I had no doubt that everyone knew the sheriff had searched my cabin by now.
When we pulled up to Dolly’s, my stomach clenched. Through the large front windows, I could see the diner was moderately busy. There were a handful of people scattered across the booths and bar stools. My hand hesitated on the door handle.
“We can always get takeout and eat at the ranch,” Lucas offered, reading my hesitation.
“No,” I said, forcing steel into my voice. “I’m not going to hide. Let them stare.”
I pushed open the door and stepped inside, immediately hit by the familiar scent of fried food and coffee. The conversation didn’t stop entirely, but I felt several pairs of eyes turn toward me. I kept my chin up, refusing to show how much it affected me.
“Well, look who finally decided to show his face,” Dolly called from behind the counter. But her tone wasn’t hostile—if anything, she sounded almost... apologetic?
I approached the counter cautiously as Lucas and Beau headed toward our usual booth. “Dolly.”
She set down the rag she’d been using to wipe the counter and leaned forward, her expression unusually serious. “Xavier, honey, I need to talk to you.”
My defenses immediately went up. “If this is about Marcus?—”
“It’s not,” she interrupted, holding up a hand. “Well, not directly. I owe you an apology, Xavier.”
I blinked, certain I’d misheard. Dolly? Apologizing to me?
She reached under the counter and pulled out a set of keys, setting them on the surface between us. “I found these this morning. Behind the cash register. They’d fallen back there somehow, probably when you set them down the other day.”
I stared at the keys, recognition slowly dawning. “Those are your spare keys.”
“The ones I gave you for the bachelor party,” she confirmed, her expression sheepish. “I... I told Marcus you still had them. That you hadn’t returned them. But you did return them, didn’t you? You set them right here on the counter after the bachelor party.”
My chest tightened as understanding crashed over me. “You told Marcus I had your keys when your things were stolen.”
“I did,” she admitted, genuine remorse coloring her features. “And I’m sorry, sugar. I was so sure you still had them, and when Marcus asked... I didn’t think twice about pointing him in your direction.”
I felt anger flare hot in my chest, but beneath it was something else. Relief. Because this meant Marcus hadn’t just decided on his own that I was guilty. Someone had literally pointed the finger at me.
“I know it doesn’t make up for what happened,” Dolly continued, wringing her hands. “But I wanted you to know that I was the one who put that idea in his head. Marcus was just doin’ his job, followin’ the lead I gave him.”
I wanted to stay angry. Wanted to hold onto my righteous indignation. But looking at Dolly’s genuinely apologetic expression, I found some of the fury draining away.
