They"d finished eating and Levi had cleared the table and rinsed the dishes when tires on gravel told him someone was here. Probably Alan. He left Mariah in the kitchen and dried his hands on a kitchen towel on his way to check.
"Hey," he stepped out the front door and greeted the sheriff, a man he"d known most of his life.
Alan was about ten years older than Levi, and had hauled Levi home in the back of his patrol car more than once. That had been before Levi took over the ranch, and before Alan had been elected sheriff. They"d long since become friends, each spending time at the other"s home.
"How are you?"
"Good, how about yourself."
"Can"t complain."
"I understand you"ve had some trouble out here?" Alan hooked his thumbs on his belt and rocked back on his heels.
"Nothing I could
