The man on the other side leaned casually against his truck, one ankle crossed over the other, hands tucked into his jacket pockets. He straightened when he saw them approach and offered a warm, easy smile—the kind designed to disarm.
It didn’t work.
“Afternoon,” Dale said, his voice pleasant and unhurried. “Sorry to just drop by like this. Hope I’m not interrupting anything.”
Caleb’s expression remained flat. “What can I do for you, Dale?”
Dale’s smile didn’t falter, but something flickered in his eyes—acknowledgment, maybe, that Caleb had recognized him. That the pretense of a friendly stranger wasn’t going to fly.
“Just wanted to stop by and say hello.” Dale pushed off from the truck and stepped closer to the gate, hands coming out of his pockets—open, visible, deliberately nonthreatening.
“You’ve never stopped by before to say hello.” Caleb didn’t mince words.
“I heard my niece is here,” Dale said. “Richard’s daughter.”
Caleb’s shoulders squared. “And?”
“And . . . I thought I’d come by. See how she’s doing. Check in.” Dale’s gaze moved past Caleb, scanning the property—the house, the kennels, the pond. Taking it all in. “Family, you know.”
The word hung in the air, deliberate and weighted.
Family.
Micah watched Dale. The man knewexactlywhat he was doing. Knew that word carried legal significance. Knew it would get under their skin.
“We do have a baby here,” Caleb said, his tone clipped. “But we’re not saying the child is Richard’s.”
“We all know she is,” Dale stated. “We’re just concerned about the child’s well-being.”
“I’m not confirming anything,” Caleb said. “But the child is doing fine.”
“That’s good to hear.” Dale nodded, as if Caleb had just confirmed something he’d been wondering about. “Really good. I just—I’d like to meet her if that’s possible. Even for a minute. She’s my niece, after all.”
“No.” Caleb’s response was simple and final.
Dale’s smile thinned. “Look, I understand there’s been tension between our families. But that baby didn’t do anything wrong. And neither did I. I just want to make sure she’s okay.”
“Like I said, she’s okay,” Caleb repeated. “And this is private property. You weren’t invited.”
Movement caught Micah’s peripheral vision.
Naomi.
She walked up slowly, arms crossed over her chest, Good Boy at her side. Her expression was guarded and careful—but her eyes were sharp.
Dale’s gaze shifted to her, and his smile softened. “Naomi. It’s good to see you.”
She didn’t respond. Instead, she stood there silently and stared at him almost as if daring Dale to defy them.
Dale cleared his throat and turned his attention back to Caleb. “I’m not here to cause trouble. I promise. I just wanted to let you know I’m around if you need anything. For the baby, I mean.”
“We don’t,” Caleb said.
Dale held his gaze. Then he nodded slowly and raised both hands in a gesture of surrender. “All right. I hear you. But if you change your mind, you let me know. Okay?”
Caleb didn’t answer.
Dale’s eyes moved back to Naomi, lingering just a beat too long. “Sarah would’ve been proud of what you’re doing here. Taking care of family like this.”
