Page 5 of In Pursuit of the Truth

Chapter Three

Bailey and Seth had driven around the property with Jenny to check everything else and keep an eye out for the missing goats. There’d been no sign of them. Bailey had encouraged Seth, saying they might turn up on their own when they weren’t as scared. It was certainly a possibility. But with coyotes and other animals out there, Bailey worried they wouldn’t see Pansy and Petunia again. She kept those thoughts to herself, though.

Now, she was helping Seth haul piece after piece of broken wood and stack them in a pile. He’d been determined to get them all out of the goat pen so it would be easier for them to repair it later. After all, they would need a place for Poppy to stay once she was all better.

He dusted his hands off and sighed heavily. “I hope we find them soon.”

“Me, too, kiddo.” She gave him a hug and a kiss on the top of his head. “We’ll keep praying they turn up.”

Seth nodded and wandered over to the stack of wood, where he started to climb on some of the lower pieces.

Jenny, who had been walking through the trees and brush in case the person responsible had ditched the saw they used, came up to stand beside Bailey empty handed. She nudged her friend’s shoulder. “You’ve got a good kid there.”

“Sure do. Sometimes, I worry he has too much responsibility.”

“Are you kidding?” Jennie brushed some dust off her uniform pants. “You make sure those boys have so much fun. Not to mention, they get to live out here with all this space, interesting pets, and daily adventures. Trust me, he’s fine, and you’re a great mom.”

Bailey prayed that was true.

She and Jenny had been friends since they’d worked together at a local restaurant right after high school, and it was through Jenny that she’d met both Nate and Joe. Bailey remembered the day Jenny had told her she’d decided to become a police officer. Bailey thought she’d been kidding. At first, she couldn’t imagine her friend going through the Police Academy and wearing a uniform.

It didn’t take long to realize that Jenny had a giving, caring attitude that, in combination with her determination, made her so good at being a cop. It was no wonder Jenny thrived at her job.

Today, Bailey was thankful to have her there not only as an officer but also as a trusted friend.

The rumble of an engine brought their attention to Nate’s truck as he guided it down the road to the barn. He caught her gaze and gave her an encouraging smile as he helped Jordan out of the back. The little boy practically jumped from Nate’s arms and raced to Bailey.

“Poppy is all fixed!” he announced proudly.

“I’m so glad.” Bailey swung him into herarms and gave him a big hug. He barely hugged her back before he was squirming to get down again.

Seth’s bright eyes took in Nate, then swung to his truck. “So Poppy’s going to be okay?”

“She’ll be fine. The vet had to stitch up her leg and bandage it. She’ll be taking some medication to keep away infection. But in ten to fifteen days, she should be as good as new.”

“Yay! Thanks, Nate!” With that, Seth ran to the back of the truck and hopped onto the bumper so he could visit with the goat.

Jordan tried to follow suit, but his shorter legs weren’t cooperating.

Bailey grinned and shook her head. What was she going to do with the pair of them? Her heart swelled when Seth reached down and pulled his little brother up alongside him.

She was so thankful for their close relationship and prayed it would continue to be that way as they grew up.

Nate gave the boys an approving look before turning his attention to Bailey. “The vet gave us antibiotics. There shouldn’t be any permanent damage, although there’ll always be a scar. It’s best to keep her in the barn until it heals, though. It’ll be easier to keep an eye on it.” He tilted his head toward the goat pen. “I’ll help you rebuild the gate and fence in the next few days.”

“I appreciate that. Thank you.”

“Of course.” His gaze lingered on her for a heartbeat before he addressed Jenny. “Did you guys find anything else?”

“Not a thing.” Jenny frowned. “No evidence left behind. No damage was done anywhere else. The whole thing is odd, that’s for sure. If it weren’t for the saw or axused, I’d think it was random. When I get back to the station, I’ll check the reports for the last couple of weeks and see if anyone else called in something similar.”

The temperature was well into the 80s, yet goose bumps rose along Bailey’s arms. She scanned the area around them. She’d much rather assume the damage was random and a one-time thing. Just knowing that someone was prowling about her property last night made her incredibly uneasy as well as angry. Seriously, what was wrong with people?

“Let me know if you find anything.” Maybe it was a set of restless teens acting on dares. Whoever did this, Bailey hoped Jenny or someone else in the department caught them soon.

“I will. I’d better be getting back. If you have any other trouble, let me know. Okay?” Jenny glanced at the boys. “I’ll be praying you find the other two goats.”

“Thanks, Jenny.” Bailey gave her friend a hug.

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