Page 73 of Levi

“Please do that.”

“Doing it now.”

Kinley stood and made her way to the counter, determined to finish the remaining prescriptions. She couldn’t help but worry about Levi’s state of mind and prayed that he would calm down before seeking out his father’s whereabouts.

****

Levi pulled his truck into the parking lot, then walked into the sheriff’s department inside the courthouse building. He scanned the glass display case for directions and headed toward it, stopping at a door with frosted glass that read “Sam Garrett, Sheriff”, then he entered. He rolled his eyes as he saw Betty Lou Harper behind the counter and cleared his throat to get her attention. She looked up, gave him a glare, and then broke into a grin.

“Levi Thomas! How are you doing, honey?”

“I’m fine, Betty Lou. How about you?”

He couldn’t help but roll his eyes again as she began to give him a thorough update on her life.

“Is Sam available?”

“Yeah, let me tell him.”

Betty Lou pressed a button on the intercom but quickly released it before speaking. When there was no response from Sam, she tried again and this time yelled out his name. Levi watched as Sam entered the foyer, briefly acknowledged him, and then turned to address Betty Lou.

“Betty Lou, you have to keep the button pressed while you talk,” Sam said with a shake of his head.

“You know I hate that thing, Sam Garrett. Levi is here to see you.”

Sam let out a sigh. “Come with me, Levi.”

Levi nodded at Betty Lou and followed Sam into his office. Sam gestured for him to take a seat across from his desk.

“What’s going on, Levi?”

Levi took a deep breath and proceeded to share everything that had happened in his past leading up to his father’s recent appearance in town.

“I hate him, Sam. I don’t want him anywhere near me. I need a restraining order against him.”

“I understand your feelings. Unfortunately, obtaining an Order of Protection requires going to court.”

“Court? Damn.”

“Yes. In Montana, an Order of Protection is what you need to keep someone who has hurt or threatened you from making any further contact. It can be issued by a judge and is the best course of action in your situation. The good news is, there’s no time limit for when you can apply for an Order of Protection, so even though thishappened a long time ago, you can still get one.”

“How do I go about getting it?”

“You first apply for a Petition for a Temporary Order of Protection. The judge reviews your petition and then decides whether to grant you one based on the information you put in the form. If the judge does grant it, it will be in effect as soon as the Respondent is served and will last until the court holds a hearing. The court should schedule a hearing within twenty days after granting your temporary petition. One of my deputies will serve the person you file against with a copy of your Petition and a notice of a hearing. Then at the hearing, both sides will share their side of the story. After the Petitioner, Respondent, and any witnesses have testified, the judge will decide whether to change the Temporary Order of Protection into a Permanent Order of Protection, and how long it will last. The judge will decide how long the Order of Protection lasts based on the evidence presented in the hearing.”

“Okay. I’ll think about it.”

“It’s going to be the only way to keep him away from you. Even if Cody puts no trespassing signs on his property, it doesn’t keep you safe off the ranch.”

Levi stood and put his hand out to Sam. “I appreciate your help.”

Sam grinned. “It’s what I’m here for.”

“I’ll give it some thought.”

Levi smiled, walked from the office, and nodded at Betty Lou since she was on the phone. He hoped he made it past her because he knew how she was. She would be trying to getinformation from him of why he was here. Everyone in town loved her, but they all knew what a gossip she was.

He sighed as he entered the hallway, strode out of the building then to his truck. As he climbed into it, he wondered where LeRoy was staying. Not that he would visit him, but just to keep an eye out for him in town. But with all the tourists in town, it would be difficult. There was way too much going on in his life right to have to deal with that bastard. He missed Kinley terribly and he was a little worried that LeRoy knew who she was.

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