Page 24 of Deacon (Men of Clifton, Montana #52)

Under Deke’s guidance, Deputy Miller maneuvered the cruiser along the road, both men scanned the landscape for the gravel road branching off to the left.

“There’s the first one,” Miller pointed out as they drove past a narrow, dusty path veiled in the shadow of overhanging trees.

Deke nodded thoughtfully. “Let’s hope the other one stands out just as clearly. If it’s on an abandoned property, it might be difficult to access.”

The deputy gave a nod in agreement, his eyes fixed on the road ahead. A short distance later, he straightened up, his gaze locking onto something in the distance.

“I think that might be it,” he said, pointing toward a faint, overgrown track barely visible through the underbrush.

Deke peered through the windshield. “Pull in there if you can, and I’ll check the condition of the road. We’ll see if we can drive through or if we’ll need to hoof it. They had the haulers here, but those sit higher than your cruiser.”

“Alright,” Miller replied, guiding the cruiser onto the gravel path. “The grass is taking over between the stones.”

Deke swung open the door and stepped out, the heat radiating up from the ground in shimmering waves. “Let me lead you in. If it gets too rough, we’ll walk.”

“You got it,” Miller said, as Deke moved to the front of the vehicle.

With careful steps, Deke navigated along the gravel, the cruiser crawling behind him like a cautious beast. He halted abruptly when he spotted a massive boulder lodged in the middle of the path.

He sighed heavily and glanced back at the deputy, who was already exiting the car, retrieving plastic gloves and evidence bags from the trunk.

“I’d bet money that someone deliberately placed that boulder there,” Deke remarked, shaking his head in disbelief.

“It sure didn’t roll there by itself,” Miller agreed, handing Deke a pair of gloves. “They probably thought no one would venture this way, and if someone did, the rock would make them turn back.”

“Well, it’s not going to deter us. Let’s see what we can find,” Deke replied resolutely.

The men maneuvered around the boulder, both holding their weapons at the ready and continued along the gravel path. As they reached a clearing, Deke’s eyes fell on a dilapidated barn standing forlornly amidst the overgrown grass.

“That has to be it,” he declared, his voice tinged with anticipation.

“I hope so. Doesn’t seem like there are any other structures around,” Miller observed, scanning the area.

They trudged through the tall grass, the blades brushing against their legs. Suddenly, a flock of doves erupted into the sky, their wings flapping noisily. Instinctively, Deke raised his weapon before he relaxed with a sigh.

“I feel like a damn sitting duck,” he muttered under his breath.

“I hear ya,” Miller replied, sharing the sentiment as they pressed onward.

As they trudged through the knee-high grass toward the old barn, Deke held up a hand, to stop Miller. After taking a look around, Deke nodded for them to move again.

Miller silently walked beside Deke. When they reached the doors, Deke eased open the creaking back doors.

The barn’s interior was almost pitch-black until he pushed the doors wider, and pale afternoon light poured in, illuminating drifting dust motes, spiderwebs, and the sweet tang of hay. Both men holstered their guns.

“Let’s see what we can find,” Deke murmured. “I’ll go up the left aisle, you take the right.”

“Got it, Agent,” Miller said, removing his flashlight as Deke did the same.

They advanced down parallel aisles between rows of empty stalls.

Deke paused halfway, and swept the beam of his flashlight along the rough-hewn walls.

It caught something glinting on the floor, a tiny flash of red.

He pulled the plastic gloves on, crouched, and brushed away stray straw to reveal an ear tag.

Fishing Rudy’s folded list from his pocket, he scanned the numbers.

“This one’s from Hollister’s herd,” Deke called softly.

“There’s some here,” Miller answered a moment later. Deke stood and crossed the aisle, handing over the list. “Matches,” Miller confirmed, tracing a finger down the chart.

“Perfect,” Deke whispered, tucking the tag into an evidence bag. “Let’s keep moving.”

They worked methodically, stepping over scattered straw and old feed pails, gathering ear tags one by one. In the dim light, the tags shone red, each stamped with an ID number.

“How many have you got, Deputy?” Deke asked after a few minutes.

“Seven,” Miller replied, counting into his palm.

“I have five. That’s twelve total. I think we have what we need.”

They strode out of the barn, pausing at the threshold to let their eyes readjust to the afternoon glare, then returned to the cruiser on the gravel drive.

Deke secured the evidence bags in the back seat, then got into the cruiser.

The engine growled to life as they headed back toward the sheriff’s department.

Once back at the department, they picked up the bags containing the ear tags and walked toward the building.

Miller extended his hand. “Thanks for letting me help out, Agent.”

Deke shook it firmly. “Deke, and I was happy to have the help, Deputy.”

“Jeff. Good luck with the rest.”

“I’m off to Clifton now to run these tags through the system.” Deke glanced up at the sky at a dark bank of clouds rolling in. “Storm’s brewing.”

Miller nodded. “Stay dry.”

Deke walked to his truck, into a breeze that carried the distant rumble of thunder.

He placed the tagged evidence bags on the passenger seat of his truck, slipped behind the wheel, and eased onto the road home.

Still two days off before returning Thursday to talk to the Winchester boys again.

He could verify Rudy’s list against the official records at home.

He pressed the call button on his steering wheel.

“Hey, Rudy,” he said when Rudy’s voice came through the speaker. “Thanks for the ear-tag list. You know I’ve got to cross-check these in the database.”

“No problem,” Rudy replied. “Let me know what you find.”

“I will. Talk soon.” Deke ended the call and watched the sky darken further as gusts of wind rattled his truck’s mirrors.

At home, he’d assemble Ellie’s things once they arrived tomorrow.

He hoped it was early so he could maybe steal a quiet afternoon Wednesday before returning to Maple Ridge on Thursday.

He was going to wait to see if any of them wanted to talk, but he was tired of fooling around, and he was determined to get something out of them.

With the rain on its way, he welcomed the thought of settling in, sipping hot coffee while thunder rolled overhead.

****

As Ava sat at the worn pine table in her kitchen, the soft glow of the overhead light illuminating rows of receipts and half-filled ledgers, but she couldn’t concentrate.

It was getting close to the time she’d move to Clifton and it terrified her.

Not because of her family, but because of the uncertainty surrounding Deacon’s intentions for her and Ellie.

He had said they could live with him, but in what capacity?

Were they to be a couple with a daughter, or simply a family sharing the same roof?

Her attraction to Deacon still burned brightly, and she longed to get to know him as a man beyond their shared chemistry in the bedroom.

But such chemistry alone did not make a relationship.

“Ugh, you keep telling yourself the same thing over and over,” she sighed, frustration bubbling beneath her calm exterior.

“Mama?” Ellie’s small voice pulled her back to reality.

“Yes, baby?” Ava replied, softening her tone as she glanced at her daughter sitting on the floor, surrounded by her dolls.

“Dad-dy?” Ellie asked, her eyes wide with longing.

“He’s back at his house. We’ll see him in a few days,” Ava assured her, trying to keep her voice light.

“No!” Ellie’s scream pierced the air, sharp and insistent.

“Ella Jo, do not do this now,” Ava said, firm but gentle, hoping to soothe her daughter’s sudden outburst. “I think it’s time for a nap.”

When Ellie didn’t argue, Ava stood, picked up her daughter and headed to her bedroom, wishing she could take a nap. She was so tired from packing, but she was almost finished, then they’d move.

A few days later, the late-afternoon sun slanted over the worn siding of Ava’s house as she eased her car to a halt in the gravel drive.

She opened the back door and unbuckled Ellie’s car seat straps, lifting her out.

Ellie planted her feet in the loose stones and sat down, arms folded, lips set in the stubborn pout.

“You’re just here to prove that the terrible twos are real, aren’t you, Ellie?” Ava crouched, brushing a stray curl behind her daughter’s ear. The child glared up but remained glued to the gravel.

“Hey, sis.” A warm voice drifted through the crisp air.

Ava looked up to see Tyler striding down the path, his boots crunching over the stones. He wore a blue T-shirt, and his grin brightened the dusky yard. When he reached her, she rose and they embraced, the smell of hay and evening air.

“Hey, Ty,” she said, resting her cheek against his shoulder.

“What’s up with little Miss?” He tilted his head toward Ellie as Ava stepped back.

“She’s mad that Deacon isn’t here,” Ava sighed, glancing back at her daughter, who was now poking at the gravel with a tiny shoe.

“Uh-oh,” Tyler said with a playful smirk. “She’s already attached to him. That’s a good sign.” He reached down to wave at Ellie, but she only glowered.

“Is it?” Ava wiped her hands on her jeans. “I’m anxious at the thought of moving to Clifton. I don’t know if I can leave Dad behind.”

“Why the hell not? Deke deserves to know his daughter.” Tyler folded his arms, leaning against the fender.

“What will I do?” Ava asked, brushing gravel from her palms. “Dad has the ranch to run, and I have the bills—”