Page 72 of Levi

Kinley nodded gratefully and headed toward the back office to make the phone call. As she dialed Levi’s number, she couldn’t help but think about how terrifying the encounter had been. Levi didn’t answer, so she sent him a text to call her, then headed back to the counter.

“I’ve never heard you say ‘fuck’ before,” Kinley said as she returned to the front of the pharmacy.

Addison grinned sheepishly. “That’s how mad I was.”

Kinley couldn’t help but smile at her rare display of profanity. Despite the unsettling encounter, she felt grateful to have someone like Addison by her side.

“Did you talk to Levi that quick?”

“No, he didn’t answer. I sent him a text telling him to call me. I’m not sure he will since we’re not seeing each other anymore.”

Her phone buzzed and she saw Levi had sent a text.

I’m out checking the fence. What is it?

Your father came in the pharmacy looking for me.

Right after she sent it, her phone buzzed to see he was calling her.

“Levi—”

“What the fuck did he want?”

“You don’t sound surprised that he was here.”

“He came to the ranch earlier. What did he say to you?”

She could hear the anger in his voice.

“Nothing really. He just said he was looking for me and when I told him to get out, he said something about talking to my future father-in-law that way. I even told him that I wasn’t going to marry you.”

“I’ll take care of it.”

“Levi, don’t do something you’ll regret.”

“I wouldneverregret it.” He hung up.

Kinley set her phone down. She hoped he didn’t do something that would get him in trouble.

“What did he say?”

“He said his father had been to the ranch, then after I told him what that man said to me, he said he’d take care of it.”

“Oh, my. I hope he keeps a cool head.”

“I told him not to do anything he’d regret, and he said he’d never regret it, then hung up.” Kinley looked at Addison. “I’m so scared he’s going to do something he shouldn’t.”

“I’m calling Cody. I’ll be right back.” Addison walked to the office.

Kinley’s fingers trembled as she attempted to focus on filling the prescriptions. Her panic was evident, causing her to struggle with counting out the pills. With a deep breath, she set the bottle down and sank onto the bench behind thecounter, desperately trying to calm herself before making a potentially dangerous mistake.

Addison emerged from the office and took a seat beside her, concern etched into her features.

“Cody said Levi took his horse out to check the fence.”

“Yes, but this just happened. Levi could be on his way back to the barn, then go look for his... that man.”

“I’ll send Cody a text to keep an eye on him. None of us want Levi to get into trouble.”

---