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.
Chapter
Nine
The modest homebelonging to Max and Laney Bock was tucked directly behind the Fate Mountain Brewery. Cedar siding weathered to a silver-gray complemented the sturdy stone foundation. A small front porch held two handcrafted rocking chairs and potted plants.
Henry pulled up next to Ivy’s already parked vehicle, his fingers tightening on the steering wheel. Social visits ranked at the bottom of his preferred activities. He mentally rehearsed three different exit strategies. Forest service emergency. Reports due by sunset. Sudden stomach illness.
He sat in his truck for several minutes, watching the house. His bear continued to push forward, drawn to the yellow SUV and what it represented. Henry exhaled slowly, mastering the urge before climbing out and approaching the front door.
Laney Bock answered his knock, a bright-eyed infant perched on her hip. “You must be Henry,” she said, stepping back to let him enter. “Ivy told us you might join us. Please come in. This is Sophia.”
The baby stared at Henry with round, curious eyes. Her tiny fingers clutched her mother’s shirt as she studied the large man on her doorstep.
“Thanks,” Henry managed, entering the warmth of the house.
The interior smelled of fresh bread and brewing hops. Ivy sat at a large wooden table with Max Bock, deep in conversation that halted when Henry entered. Her face lit up at the sight of him, sending an unwelcome warmth through his chest.
Max stood and extended his hand. “Good to meet you, Henry. Beer? Fresh batch of our Grizzly IPA just tapped this morning.”
“Water is fine,” Henry replied, accepting the handshake.
“Suit yourself. Your brothers Logan and Mason stop by pretty regularly. Good men,” Max said, moving toward the kitchen. “They mentioned you work with the forest service.”
Henry nodded, remaining near the door while Ivy resumed her animated conversation with Laney about the nature center. He watched how easily she navigated the social interaction, asking about Laney’s work, complimenting the home’s botanical prints, inquiring about the baby’s development.
Henry stood awkwardly, taking the water Max offered him but not sitting until Laney gestured insistently toward an empty chair beside Ivy. Even then, he perched on the edge, ready for quick escape.
Throughout the conversation, he noticed little Sophia watching him. Her tiny face scrunched in concentration, studying him as if he presented a fascinating puzzle.
“She can’t take her eyes off you,” Laney commented, adjusting the baby on her lap.
Henry grunted in response, unsure what to make of the infant’s attention. Children rarely factored into his isolated existence.
The moment shifted unexpectedly when Sophia suddenly lunged toward him, small arms outstretched, surprising everyone at the table.
“Oh my,” Laney said, struggling to hold the squirming baby. “She wants to go to you.” She hesitated, then asked, “Would you mind holding her for a moment? I need to use the restroom.”
Panic flashed through Henry. Hold the baby? He opened his mouth to refuse, but Sophia reached for him again with such determination that his bear instinct responded despite his human reluctance.
“I... sure,” he said, arms extending woodenly.
Laney transferred the baby, and Henry held her with excessive caution, as if handling an unexploded landmine. Everyone watched with amusement. Sophia settled immediately against his chest, one tiny hand reaching up to grasp his beard. Her fingers tugged the coarse hair, and she giggled at his responding wince.
“She likes you,” Max said, taking a sip of his beer.
