Page 2 of Deacon (Men of Clifton, Montana #52)

“We didn’t touch anything or ride through the other side in case of tire tracks and other evidence,” Tyler said.

“I appreciate that. I’ll take a look.” Deke opened his door and reached for his flashlight. “How many cattle are usually on the ranch?”

“We have… had two hundred head.”

“Okay. Your father said they’re ear tagged and branded.”

“Yes.”

“What’s the brand? I forgot to ask.”

“An H beside a crescent moon.”

“Alright, the brand will be hard to cover.” Deke shook his head.

“Is that good or bad?”

“Both. If they’re stealing them for someone, they won’t care about the brand, but they can’t take them to an auction without the proper papers showing the brand and ownership. I’m thinking that someone had them stolen for some reason. What they’re planning to do with them is anyone’s guess.”

“They had to see they were branded,” Tyler said.

“I’m sure they did. That’s why I don’t think it was random.” Deke looked at Tyler. “Someone is familiar with the area. They knew what they were after. I’m just not sure what they’re hoping to accomplish, and I hate to think what they’ll do with the cattle they took.”

“Because they can’t sell them. Damn,” Tyler said as he shook his head.

“Once I get back to the hotel, I’ll get packed and head home tomorrow, then I’ll look into the Winchesters.”

“Hotel?”

Deke grinned. “Yeah, I’m from the Clifton department. Autumn Falls couldn’t take on another case at this time.”

“There has been a lot of rustling between here and Autumn Falls, so I can understand that.”

“I’ll get some photos. Could you stay here, please?”

“No problem.”

Deke nodded, opened the door, then made his way over to the fence and snapped photos of tire tracks.

He saw at least two different truck tire tracks and what looked like two separate trailers.

Someone definitely knew what they were after.

He walked along the sets of tracks looking for shoe prints and found quite a few.

He took pictures of everything then headed back toward the truck.

He saw Tyler leaning against the front of the truck with his arms folded, watching him.

“Anything?”

“This wasn’t random. There were at least two pickup trucks pulling two trailers. They knew what they were after.”

“Damn. Now what?”

“I’ll run these through the database and see what the tires fit and take it from there. ”

“I hope it’s not anyone we know.”

“I’ll do what I can. You know the cattle might not be recovered?”

“Yeah, we understand that. I hate it, but I get it.”

“How long has the ranch been in your family?”

“Back to the early eighteen hundreds.”

“Damn. Well, as I said, I’ll do what I can. We can head back now.”

Tyler nodded, got into the truck, then Deke climbed in and drove back to the ranch.

Deke pulled the truck to a stop beside the porch and both men stepped out.

“I’ll get in touch if I find out anything,” Tyler said.

“I appreciate that. I’m going to talk with your dad for a few minutes, then head back to the hotel and see what I can find.”

Tyler nodded. “Have a good day, Agent.”

“Yes, sir. You too.” Deke watched him walk toward the barn, then he climbed the steps and knocked on the door.

When the door swung open, Deke’s eyebrows shot up in surprise as he caught sight of her, a frown quickly replacing his initial expression. He quickly removed his sunglasses.

“Ava?” he inquired, his voice a mix of curiosity and disbelief.

“Deacon, what are you doing here?” she responded, her tone tinged with surprise.

“I’m working on a case,” he replied, his voice carrying a note of businesslike formality.

“You’re the agent for my father’s missing cattle? I thought you lived in Clifton?” she asked, her eyes widening slightly in realization .

“Yes, I’m here about the theft. Could I come in? It’s sweltering out here,” he said, wiping a bead of sweat from his brow.

“Oh, I’m sorry. Yes, please come in,” she said, swinging the door open wider to let him in. He removed his hat, dusted off his boots on the doormat, and stepped into the sunlit kitchen.

Deke’s gaze lingered on her. She was still beautiful. Her blonde hair was in a ponytail. For some reason the air between them felt unusually tense. He wondered why, as he believed they had parted on amicable terms, or at least he had thought so.

“I thought you worked out of Clifton?”

“I do, but Autumn Falls is a little backed up on cases, so my boss sent me.”

“I see.”

“How have you been?” he asked, trying to bridge the silence with a gentle inquiry.

“Um, fine. Let me get my dad for you,” she said, turning away from him.

“Ava?” he called, his voice softening as he sought her attention.

She turned back to face him. “Yes?”

“Is something wrong? I thought we parted on good terms after that night together, but you seem nervous,” he said, concern furrowing his brow.

“No, I’m fine. Just surprised to see you,” she replied, offering a smile that didn’t quite reach her eyes.

At that moment, Rudy Hollister strode into the kitchen, holding a little girl on his hip.

Deke’s eyes widened, and his breath caught as he absorbed the scene before him.

The child was beautiful, with dark brown hair and…

honey-colored eyes, gl inting with innocent curiosity.

The sight of her struck him with unexpected force, akin to a swift kick in the gut, leaving him momentarily breathless.

“Agent Anderson, come into the living room,” Rudy said, nodding toward the adjacent room. The little girl waved at Deke with a smile.

Deke clenched his jaw, turning back to face Ava with a simmering intensity. “How old is she?”

“Two years old,” Ava answered quietly.

“Is she mine?” he growled, his voice low and urgent.

“Deacon—” Ava began, her voice faltering.

“Simple question, Ava. Is. She. Mine?” he pressed, his words punctuated with a sharpness that demanded the truth.

Ava bowed her head, but after a moment, she nodded.

“And you didn’t think I’d want to know?” he muttered, raking his fingers through his hair in frustration. “Son of a bitch.”

“We both said it was a one-time thing—” she attempted to reason.

“She is my daughter,” he roared, his voice booming with the weight of realization.

“Keep your voice down,” she snapped, her eyes darting toward the door.

“The hell I will. I—”

“What is going on here?” Rudy asked, reentering the kitchen, his gaze shifting between them and his granddaughter. “I thought there was something familiar about you. You’re her father, aren’t you, Agent Anderson?”

“It seems that way,” Deke replied, his voice laced with unresolved emotion .

“Ava? You told me the father knew and didn’t want anything to do with Ellie,” Rudy said, his voice filled with confusion and disappointment.

Deke clenched his jaw tighter. “Well, she lied to you, just like she lied to me. You and me?” He pointed between Ava and himself, his expression unwavering, like a stone wall. “We’re going to talk.”

Ava’s father stepped in; his voice calm yet firm. “You two need to do that. Ava, how could you not tell him he had a daughter?”

Ava’s voice was barely more than a whisper, burdened with years of secrecy. “I never thought I’d see him again.”

“So, you never planned to tell me I had a daughter?” Deke ran his fingers through his hair again with a sense of disbelief.

Ava’s shoulders squared as she fixed her gaze on him, her eyes defiant. “I saw no need! We agreed to one night together—” She cast a glance at her father, apologetic. “Sorry, Dad.” Then she looked back at Deke. “Deacon, how would I know you’d want to know?”

“Not many men wouldn’t!” His voice rose, edged with anger, before he shook his head, trying to regain composure.

“I can’t deal with this right now, but we are going to talk, Ava.

Count on it. Once I get finished with this case, we will talk about this.

” He exhaled heavily, the weight of the revelation pressing on him.

“Damn it. I can’t believe you kept this from me for over two years. You knew how to get in touch with me.”

“I’m sorry. We will talk about it.”

“You’re damn right we will.” Deke turned to Rudy, his demeanor softening slightly. “I apologize for raising my voice, Mr. Hollister. ”

“Don’t worry about it. You had every right.” Rudy’s gaze shifted to his daughter, disappointment clouding his features as he shook his head. “I’ll take Ellie with me to get her things ready, and you can take her home, Ava, then I’ll meet you in the living room, Deke.” He left the kitchen.

Deke placed his hands on his hips, lowered his head, and let out a deep sigh, his mind a whirl of emotions.

“I’m sorry, Deacon,” Ava repeated, her voice tinged with regret.

He lifted his gaze to meet hers, determination burning in his eyes. “You’re sorry? All you had to do was pick up the damn phone. I want to know my daughter.”

“I don’t think—”

“I don’t give a rat’s ass what you think. I will be a part of her life. One way or the other.”

“What do you mean by that?” Ava’s voice wavered.

“If you try to keep her from me, I’ll file for custody.” His words were like a thunderclap, loud and unyielding.

Ava gasped, the color draining from her face. “You can’t do that.”

“The hell I can’t.”

“I didn’t list you as the father.” She growled, frustration bubbling over.

“That doesn’t matter! Who did you list?”

“No one. I told them I refused to tell them.”

“A simple DNA test will confirm it. I’ll do what I have to.

In the meantime, I’ll talk to your father about the case, but this is not over.

Far from it.” His voice carried the weight of a promise, one that would not be easily broken.

With one final look at her, he left the kitchen to meet Rudy in the living room.

****

Ava let out a deep breath as she watched Deacon walking away. Those Wranglers he wore definitely showed off his tight ass, and she was very familiar with it. She hoped he would never find out about Ellie but in all fairness, he was her father and he deserved to know.