Page 62 of Cruel Expectations

“The doctors say they’ll release Daddy later this week!”

“That is great news.” Her smile spread in genuine happiness…but inside her stomach dropped.

That only left a short time for her to find what she’d been searching their father’s office for.

She was going to do a big sweep of the office. Tonight was the night.

* * * * *

After his first night on watch, Hunter realized that sitting on the hard ground wasn’t only uncomfortable but unnecessary. So on day two, he set up a folding lawn chair.

He sank into the seat and settled the rifle Colton provided to him across his knees. It wasn’t his preferred weapon, but he was a good enough shot that it didn’t matter what weapon he used.

The cool night air filled his nostrils and gave him a clear head for his task. From his position, he had a view of most of the perimeter. The fence ran for acres and acres in the distance. When he raised his binoculars, he was able to see everything crystal clear.

As he scanned the fence line for breaks or a trespasser, he took in the night sounds.

Crickets chirped. Occasionally, a cow in the nearby pasture let out a low moo. Nothing else but silence rang in his ears.

When he lowered the binoculars, he turned his attention briefly to the deep midnight blue sky stretching overhead, spangled with glittering stars. The moon was glowing bigger. Soon it would illuminate the land and make it more difficult for anyone to step foot on the ranch without him or the cameras picking up their presence.

Under the night sounds, he caught a different one.

He slowly stood, rifle in hand, and swung toward the noise coming from behind him.

“Flash.”

Hunter’s shoulders relaxed. “Thunder.”

The countersign from D-Day during World War II was something that was used to identify someone who was not a threat, and Forest had used it because he enjoyed old war movies. He started using the alert in the early days after their squadron formed, and it stuck.

Colton emerged from the shadows and slung a lawn chair in a bag off his shoulder.

Hunter eyed him. “Are you here to join me or relieve me?”

“Join you, bro. How’s it lookin’ from here?”

“Nothing to report.” He picked up the binoculars and sank to his seat.

Colton did the same.

“I assume you have something to share with me that you couldn’t say around the ladies.”

He nodded. “I spoke with the police today about the video footage. They looked into the guy and came back with some information. They’ve got an ID on the guy.”

Hunter fixed his gaze on him. “And?”

“He’s wanted in a couple states for shady dealings. Apparently he does offer loans, but you can only reach him on the dark web or if you know someone.”

Hunter’s neck prickled. “You think Mr. Gracey did something to get himself deep with this guy?”

Colton gave a stiff nod. “It’s likely. Forest had an inkling too.”

He gave him a sharp look. “Did he tell you that?”

“In his final letter to his father, he mentioned his old man running the ranch and the family’s good name into the ground. It all adds up. And now the loan shark has been identified on one of our security cams. What else could it be?”

“Damn.” He scrubbed a finger between his puckered brows. “What will become of the ranch if he loses it? What will become of Ivy and Meadow?”

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