Page 17 of Harvested By The Mountain Man
Ivy chatters through breakfast about her jack-o’-lantern cat face and how the wolf pumpkin “scares away the bad dreams.” I let her talk, hiding my own giddiness behind coffee and toasted peach bread. If she notices me smiling more than usual, she doesn’t say a word.
By the time I drop her at school and head to the café, I’ve convinced myself I can keep it together. Bake rolls, prep soup,and inventory the walk-in like it’s just another day. Except every clatter of pans and ring of the front bell makes me think of Levi.
Near lunchtime rush, my phone in my pocket is vibrating repeatedly. I wipe my hands on a towel and answer, not recognizing the number. “This is Hannah.”
“Hannah?” The voice on the other end is the school secretary. Something in her tone freezes my blood. “You need to come right away. There’s a man here asking to pick up Ivy.”
My grip tightens on the receiver. “What man?”
“He says he’s her father. Jake Morrell.”
The name slams into me like a fist. My heart lurches, breath shallow. Jake. Of all the people I never expected to see standing in Ivy’s school office, it’s him.
“He doesn’t have permission,” I say, my voice breaking. “He doesn’t get to …” My words tumble out too fast, panic making my hands shake. “Don’t let him near her. Please.”
“Don’t worry,” the secretary soothes. “We’ve got her in the classroom with her teacher. He can’t take her without written authorization. But it might be best for you to come. He said if he can’t pick her up, then he needs to see you.”
I nod even though she can’t see me, pulse hammering in my ears. “I’m coming. Keep her safe until I get there.”
I end the call and tell Millie I have an emergency with Ivy. I am already untying my apron as I make my way through the restaurant for the door. He walked out on us. He doesn’t get to walk back in and do something like this.
Chapter 16
Levi
Ionly meant to grab lunch. Millie’s biscuits and stew sounded like the thing to get me through the afternoon. Plus, I couldn’t get over that kiss and was hoping to catch a glimpse of Hannah, even though she was probably stowed away in the kitchen.
But the second I reach for the café door, Hannah barrels out, apron stuffed under her arm, hair wild, coming out of her ponytail. Her face is as red as fire.
She doesn’t even see me at first. Her eyes are locked straight ahead, fierce and blazing.
“Hannah?” I step aside so she doesn’t plow right into me.
She startles, hand flying to her chest, then shakes her head like she can’t waste time. “I can’t, Levi. Not now.”
“What’s wrong?”
Her voice trembles with fury and fear. “Ivy’s in danger.”
That’s all I need to hear. She hurries toward her car, and I fall in step without thinking. My pulse spikes, muscles coiled tight. Danger. Ivy. The two words don’t belong in the same sentence.
She fumbles with her keys, muttering, “Jake showed up at the school. Wants to take her. He doesn’t have permission.”
Jake. The name means nothing to me except what it does to her. Her color’s changing, turning pale and I see she’s shaking.
“Let me drive you,” I demand.
“No, I can’t wait another second.” She’s already climbing behind the wheel.
“Then I’m right behind you.”
My truck growls to life, and I follow her tail lights down Main Street, every nerve on alert. Whoever this Jake is, whatever claim he thinks he has, he’s about to learn Hannah and Ivy aren’t alone anymore.
The elementary school looks the same as ever – red brick, flag snapping in the breeze, kids’ art taped to the windows. But the moment I step inside behind Hannah, the air is tight, uneasy.
The secretary at the front desk straightens. “Ms. Brooks … thank you for coming quickly. Ivy’s safe with her teacher. He’s in the principal’s office.”
Hannah’s knuckles whiten as she pushes open the office door. I follow without asking permission, because I’ll be damned if she faces this alone. The man inside turns at the sound. Tall, wiry, hair too neat for the storm he just stirred. His eyes dart from Hannah to me, narrowing.
