Page 9 of Grumpy Bear (Return To Fate Mountain #4)
Chapter
Eight
The next morning, Ivy pulled into the construction site, her SUV packed with coffee carriers and pastry boxes.
Despite yesterday’s accident, she was determined to start fresh.
She’d woken before sunrise to bake her grandmother’s cinnamon scones and grabbed coffee at The Sweet Summit, hoping to cheer up the crew after yesterday’s scary collapse.
“Morning, everyone!” Ivy called, balancing two drink carriers while juggling pastry boxes. “Coffee and fresh scones for everybody!”
The workers looked up, their faces brightening as they wandered over. Ivy handed out the treats, making sure Bobby got an extra scone. “How’s Marco doing?” she asked.
“I called him last night. The surgery went well. They put a pin in his leg,” Bobby said.
“We should set up meals for his family,” Ivy suggested, mentally adding it to her growing to-do list.
As the crew went back to work with their treats, Ivy’s smile slipped a little. Keeping her sunny outlook was getting harder as problems piled up. She quickly fixed her expression. Being optimistic had always come naturally for Ivy, but lately, it was taking more effort.
She grabbed her tablet and started her morning rounds. Yellow caution tape still fluttered around where the scaffolding had collapsed. She studied the exposed supports, frowning slightly. Was someone behind this?
A familiar face appeared at the entrance. Maya Wilson walked toward her, carrying a folder instead of protest signs. She looked curious rather than angry today.
“Dr. Bright,” Maya called out. “Got a minute?”
“Of course.” Ivy smiled.
Maya opened her folder. “I read through those environmental plans you sent. I still have worries, but...” she hesitated, like admitting something difficult, “your wildlife corridor protection is better than I thought.”
Ivy felt pleased that Maya had actually looked at the documents instead of just dismissing them. “Thanks for taking the time. We really designed this place to help conservation, not hurt it.”
Maya pointed toward the forest edge. “Your seasonal migration adjustments show real thought. If done right, this center could actually help with conservation.”
“That’s always been our goal,” Ivy smiled, warming to this unexpected ally. “We want visitors to understand why these ecosystems matter, not just think they’re pretty.”
They kept talking, Maya suggesting local plants that could enhance the educational landscaping, when a shiny black luxury sedan rolled up. James Porter stepped out in his perfect suit.
“Dr. Bright,” Porter called, walking over with confident strides. “I heard about yesterday’s unfortunate accident. I wanted to offer my assistance personally.”
Maya quietly excused herself, looking uncomfortable.
“Mr. Porter,” Ivy said politely. “Everything’s under control. The structural engineer is already checking the damage.”
Porter smiled that slick smile while his eyes scanned the site like he was mentally calculating. “These accidents can cause big delays. My company is ready to step in if Vance Construction gets... overwhelmed.”
Something in his voice made Ivy’s skin prickle. “Ronald Vance has an excellent record,” Ivy said diplomatically. “Yesterday was an isolated equipment failure.”
“Of course,” Porter nodded, not looking convinced. “Still, these things tend to multiply. Makes you wonder what’s next.”
Ivy tensed. Their uncomfortable chat was interrupted by Ronald Vance’s truck pulling in. The usually clean vehicle was now covered in bright red spray paint spelling “LEAVE THE MOUNTAIN” across the driver’s door.
Vance climbed out looking exhausted, with dark circles under his eyes. He spotted Porter and his expression tightened before he came over to Ivy.
“Dr. Bright,” he said quietly. “Could we talk privately?”
Ivy excused herself from Porter and followed Vance to a quieter spot near the equipment trailers.
“Found this on my windshield this morning,” Vance said, pulling out a folded paper.
The note had a crude drawing of scaffolding with stick figures falling and the message “ACCIDENTS HAPPEN WHEN YOU DON’T LISTEN.” Ivy felt a chill despite the warm morning.
“Did you show the police?” she asked.
Vance nodded, looking genuinely worried. “They’re adding it to their report. Ivy, I’ve been building for twenty years. I’ve dealt with environmental groups, local politics, competitors. This feels different.”
“We should document everything.” Ivy was taking photos of the vandalized truck when she spotted a ranger vehicle pulling into the site.
When Henry got out, he spotted her immediately and walked straight over.
Ivy’s heart did a little skip that she tried to ignore.
His arm looked completely healed, without even a scar where yesterday’s nasty gash had been.
“Henry,” Ivy smiled, trying to sound professional despite the flutter in her stomach. “What brings you here this morning?”
Henry eyed both Vance’s vandalized truck and Porter’s fancy car. “I found something near the wildlife corridor last night. You should see it.”
“Show me,” Ivy said. She then turned to Vance. “I’ll be checking the boundary with Ranger Kincaid. We’ll document anything we find.”
Vance nodded, already turning toward the structural engineer who was waving him over. Ivy followed Henry away from the busy construction, noticing how he seemed to relax with each step toward the forest.
They reached the forest boundary where the wildlife corridor provided a safe path for animals. Henry crouched, pointing at a section of forest floor. “See how the leaves are disturbed in a line?”
At first, Ivy just saw leaves and undergrowth. She then knelt beside him, noticing a subtle pattern she’d missed before. When Henry carefully brushed some leaves aside, he revealed a thin wire strung a few inches above the ground.
“Trip wire,” he explained, his gruff voice softening as he showed her. “Not for people. For animals. Set at deer-leg height.”
“To scare wildlife away from using the corridor,” Ivy realized, feeling a surge of anger. “Making them find new routes away from their usual paths.”
Henry nodded, his expression warming at how quickly she understood. “Found three more like this. All new. And there’s more.”
He led her deeper into the corridor, pointing out signs Ivy would have completely missed. Someone had arranged barriers of branches that blocked the easy paths, forcing animals to take harder routes.
“Someone who knows tracking did this,” Henry explained, suddenly animated. “Not random. Strategic.” Ivy watched him with growing wonder. The quiet, grumpy man from the café had transformed while talking about the forest.
“The elk herd that normally moves through this ridge has completely changed their route,” he continued.
His hands moved expressively, and his whole face lit up with passion.
This was Henry in his element. “Same with the black-tailed deer and their fawns. They’ve all been pushed out by these disruptions. ”
Ivy felt her mind racing with possibilities. “Someone wants it to look like our construction is driving animals away, when really they’re creating artificial barriers to force that to happen.”
Henry looked up, meeting her eyes with surprise, like he hadn’t expected her to catch on so quickly. For a moment, they shared perfect understanding.
“Exactly,” he said, respect in his voice.
As they walked back toward the construction site, Ivy remembered other problems elsewhere on the mountain. “You know, last year Max Bock at the brewery had something similar happen. Someone deliberately contaminated their water source and nearly ruined their business.”
Henry grunted, expression tightening.
“Max and his wife Laney might have insights,” Ivy suggested, an idea forming.
“Laney’s an environmental biologist. She might see patterns we’re missing.
I was planning to visit them this evening before meeting up with the nature center crew at the brewery.
Maybe you can go out there with me, meet their new baby. ”
The pained expression on Henry’s face almost made Ivy laugh. He looked like she’d suggested swimming in ice water rather than visiting a friendly couple and a new baby. “Okay. Give me the address, I’ll meet you there,” he finally agreed.