Henry’s attention sharpened at his father’s tone. “What kind of activity?”
“Property transactions,” Leland replied, buttering a piece of bread. “Parcels changing hands through shell companies.”
Uncle Buck nodded in agreement. “It’s been going around. I even found surveyors on our southeastern boundary last month. When I questioned them, they claimed to have permits but wouldn’t say who they were working for.”
“Probably related to those corporate interests eyeing Fate Mountain,” Uncle Jessie added. “Remember that resort proposal the county rejected last year?”
“Vance Construction’s doing your nature center, right?” Leland asked Ivy. “They’ve got an impressive track record with sustainable building. Always seem to get the best locations too.”
“Ronald Vance has been wonderful to work with,” Ivy agreed.
“Those successful contractors,” Uncle Buck said, reaching for the potatoes, “they often know about land deals before they become public. That’s how they manage to be in the right place at the right time.”
Henry’s eyes narrowed at this casual observation.
“My friend at the county records office has been working overtime lately,” Joy mentioned, glancing between Ivy and Henry. “Says she’s noticed contractor names appearing in all sorts of unexpected documents for properties around where you’re building. Corporate shells buying land, strange zoning applications, that sort of thing.”
“What kind of zoning applications?” Henry asked.
“Requests to modify conservation easements or change land use designations.” She took a sip of water. “She thought it was weird how the same names keep appearing on completely different types of applications.”
Henry caught Ivy’s gaze across the table as her expression shifted. “We’ve had sabotage issues at the construction site,” Ivy said carefully. “It’s been escalating.”
A protective growl rumbled in Henry’s chest before he could suppress it. The sound drew knowing looks from his brothers and father, but Henry ignored them, focusing instead on the discussion.
“Wouldn’t be the first time someone’s tried undermining Fate Mountain projects,” Leland noted.
The conversation shifted to local gossip about corporate developers seeking to undermine family businesses. Henrylistened intently, connecting these community observations with what he and Ivy had personally witnessed.
As the meal progressed to dessert—Sylvia’s famous apple crumble with vanilla ice cream—Henry realized his posture had relaxed. He’d even contributed to several conversations without feeling the usual strain of social interaction.
After dinner, the family scattered throughout the house in their usual pattern. Leland and Logan retreated to discuss ranch business. Sylvia marshaled Dana and Maria for kitchen cleanup while keeping Daisy, in the late stages of a later in life pregnancy, comfortably seated. Mason headed outside to check on the cow that had been showing symptoms earlier. Uncle Jessie and Uncle Cyrus moved to the back porch to enjoy the evening air.
Joy seized the opportunity to pull both Henry and Ivy into the study, closing the door behind them.
“I figured you two might want more details about what my friend in records has noticed,” she said without preamble. “Especially if it relates to your sabotage problems.”
“We’d appreciate anything you can share,” Ivy replied.
Joy leaned against the desk. “Angela’s been processing property documents for fifteen years. Says she’s never seen this much activity around previously protected areas.”
Henry and Ivy exchanged glances. “I’ll text you Angela’s contact info,” Joy continued, pulling out her phone.
“We’ll definitely follow up on this,” Ivy said, her expression thoughtful.
“Thanks, Joy. This helps,” Henry said.
As the evening wound down, goodbyes took predictably long, with Sylvia extracting promises for future visits. By the time they finally made it back to Henry’s truck, full darkness had settled over Timber Bear Ranch, the stars emerging in brilliant clarity above the valley.
Henry drove in silence for several minutes, organizing his thoughts as the truck wound down the mountain road toward Fate Mountain Village. Beside him, Ivy seemed equally contemplative, her gaze directed out the window at the passing forest.
“Your family loves you,” Ivy said simply. “They respect your independence but also want to be part of your life.”
“I’ve always kept them at a distance,” he acknowledged. “Figured it was better that way. For them and for me.”
“Because connection makes you vulnerable?” she suggested gently.
Henry nodded, hands tightening on the steering wheel. “The forest doesn’t make demands. Doesn’t have expectations.”
