Page 24 of Harvested By The Mountain Man
Chapter 21
Levi
Iwait until Hannah disappears through the café door before I pull away from the curb. My hands tighten on the wheel, not because of her kiss that’s still burning in my morning memory, but because of the unease in her eyes when she glanced over her shoulder. She felt something. I could tell. And if she felt it, I believe it.
I don’t head straight for the ranch. Instead, I turn down the side street toward the sheriff’s office. Sheriff Colton’s behind his desk when I step in, hat pushed back, paperwork scattered across the blotter. His eyes lift toward me, but I get the feeling he already knew I was here. Probably saw me on the security cameras.
“Morning, Levi. Didn’t expect to see you here today.”
“I wouldn’t be if I didn’t have reason.” I shut the door behind me and sit across from him. “You know Hannah Brooks?”
He nods. “New in town, works at Millie’s. Sweet kid in the elementary school.”
“Her ex showed up yesterday. Jake Morrell. Tried to take Ivy straight out of school with no permission, no authority to do so.”
The sheriff’s brows draw down, his pen stilled. “Bold. He got that far?”
“Only to the office. He didn’t lay a hand on her. But he’ll try something again. I can feel it. I need you to run his name. See if anything’s on record. Arrests, warrants … anything you can find on his background.”
Colton scratches his jaw, eyes narrowing. “You think he’s dangerous?”
“I know he is.” My voice leaves no room for doubt. “If you find something, I want to know.”
The sheriff nods slowly. “All right, Levi. I’ll see what I can dig up.”
I stand, tipping my hat. “Appreciate it.” Only then do I head for the ranch.
♥♥♥
By the time I roll up the drive, the sun’s high and my men are already at work. Cattle bawl in the distance, fence posts lean where I should’ve already set them right. I feel the weight of everything piling up. But priorities are priorities. I call over two of my hands and start delegating, giving them the week’s tasks so I can focus on what matters most -- keeping Hannah and Ivy safe.
I’m barely halfway through mending a section of fence when a familiar truck rumbles into the yard. Sheriff Colton climbs out, hat pulled low against the glare. My gut tightens.
“Find something?” I ask before he’s even at the gate.
He nods grimly. “Couldn’t be sure it’s the same Jake Morrell, but if it is … it’s bad. Domestic abuse conviction in another state. Two outstanding warrants of additional battery charges, plus credit card fraud. Paper trail looks ugly.”
My fists clench around the wire I’ve been pulling, sharp edges biting into my palms. I knew the bastard was trouble, but this? This makes my blood run cold.
I picture Hannah’s face, pale with fear, Ivy’s arms locked tight around her neck. The thought of either of them within reach of a man like that makes me sick.
“It’s probably him,” I say flatly.
Colton studies me, eyes narrowed. “I’ll put out an alert, but don’t do anything rash, Levi. Let us handle it.”
I meet his gaze, unblinking. “I won’t let him touch them. Not ever. Thank you for checking on this. If you see him, take him in …please.”
I listen to Colton’s words of how if he’s in Cady Springs, they’ll catch up with him. Criminals can’t hide long here. I nod, let the sheriff finish, then walk him down the lane toward the equipment shed.
“They’re staying with me. I’ll get cameras on the cabin tonight,” I tell Colton as we pass the tool rack. “Trail cams, wired cams -- whatever will catch him if he comes near. I’ll set what I can now and order the rest. If he’s stalking them, catching it on tape gets him locked up for good.”
I don’t say federal charges. Law talk isn’t my game. But I mean it: recorded proof, time-stamped movements, a paper trail every cop wants.
Colton eyes me. “Good. Get what you can, but don’t do anything stupid. We’ll pursue warrants and picks as soon as we confirm it’s him.” He puts a hand on my shoulder, old-school and plain. “We’ll handle the rest.”
I nod, because I know how to listen when the badge tells me to. Still, when the sheriff walks back to his pickup, I head straight for the gear shed.
We keep a few trail cams out on the ridges to track anything from cattle movements to foxes stealing chicken feed. Plus, there are a couple of battered dome cams mounted above the north corral. They’re not pretty. They’re basic and will work if you patch them together.
