Page 16 of No Bed Of Roses

That made him laugh. “I think the last person I heard use the word dingbat was my grandmother when I was a little kid.” Good memories.

Levi reached over and lifted her to the middle of the tractor’s roof. At least that was secure. He wasn’t sure what else was under the tarp.

He ran his hands over her, checking for broken bones and anything obvious, like blood from a cut she may not have noticed. He kept his touch strictly professional, not only because he was concerned about her but because, despite his desires, getting involved with his neighbor was stupid.

When he found nothing obvious, he checked for concussion signs, and found nothing there either. “I think you’re right. You’re a lucky woman.”

She grinned. “Thanks for not saying I’m a dingbat.”

He laughed. “I’ll reserve that in case you do something that dumb again.”

It didn’t take too long for him to slide down the tractor and help Isla move down safely. Hopper had fallen asleep beside the machine. The dog looked up with a yawn and then got to his feet to lick Isla’s hand and rub against both of their legs.

Isla patted the dog. “Thanks, Hopper. I’m good.”

Levi followed suit. “Thanks for letting me know where she was. Those seconds you saved me could have been important.”

Isla shuddered. “I’m glad they weren’t.”

He nodded and moved to pick up the ladder from where it had fallen. There were two broken rungs near the top of the ladder. The second one was probably where her hand had rested. She hadn’t stood a chance of staying on the ladder if both rungs had rotted.

Which was weird, as the other rungs on the ladder were solid. No rot at all.

Levi flipped the ladder over to look at the other side and couldn’t contain the growl. This hadn’t been an accident.

“What is it? What’s wrong?”

Levi used his phone to light up the ladder so she could see. “Someone cut these rungs almost all the way through. See how there’s only one small section that’s not a smooth cut?”

She frowned at the ladder. “Why would anyone do that and put the ladder back up?”

He didn’t answer straight away at first. “It’s not just those two, either. The top seven rungs are the same.”

Isla turned her frown to him. “That is bizarre.”

He nodded.

“Someone wanted whoever used the ladder to fall.” She looked back at the hayloft and to where she’d fallen. “If I hadn’t fallen to the side, I’d be in definite pain right now.”

Which pissed him off.

Isla sighed. “Someone didn’t like the person who owned this barn before me. I wonder if they knew someone was out to hurt them.”

It was Levi’s turn to frown. “Why do you think it was done in the past?”

Her eyes opened wide. “You think someone did this to hurt me? Why?”

He shrugged. “I don’t know for sure, but it’s a possibility. We’ll have to ask Troy about the people who lived here before. Do you know anyone who wants to hurt you?”

To his surprise, she didn’t shake her head immediately. Her eyes blanked, and she shrugged. “Doubtful, and hardly anyone knows where I am. I’m sure this has nothing to do with me.”

Levi hoped that was true, but he’d be keeping a close on his neighbor for more than one reason now.

CHAPTER 6

Hit The Hay

Isla felt ridiculous. She’d climbed the ladder without the proper precautions, and then winded herself so completely, that she couldn’t even call out when she’d heard Levi’s voice.

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