Page 21 of Mountain Hero

For a moment, I imagine Winter here; the two of us sitting by the fire pit I recently installed and toasting marshmallows while talking about an upcoming hike on the Long Trail or a day trip to Burlington or up north to Hill Farmstead Brewery.

Giving my head a little shake, I force my mind back to reality. I’m home, trying to figure out something to eat for a late dinner after hours spent cleaning and restocking at the store. And Winter is no doubt at the motel, watching TV or reading while an officer keeps guard outside.

Or is she sitting there, alone and scared and in pain, afraid to ask anyone for help?

Shit. I don’t know why I can’t get her out of my head.

I should. Winter could have called if she needed anything. Her silence is a clear signal she’s not interested in my help.

Unless she’s afraid to ask for it.

My stomach rumbles, a loud reminder that I’ve been standing around in the kitchen for the last ten minutes without actually preparing anything. For lack of a better idea, I grab a loaf of bread and toss it on the island before heading to the fridge to find some cheese and turkey for a sandwich.

Halfway to the fridge, my phone buzzes. For a second, I think Winter? Does she need something? and quickly snatch it up to read the incoming message.

But it’s not Winter. It’s my old Army buddy, Tayo, who lives out in Colorado. We went through the Green Beret qualification course together, and even though he ended up stationed at a different base than me, we’ve kept in touch ever since.

I’m also guessing this message isn’t a random how are you doing, it’s been a while text, but something initiated by Cole telling our group of friends that I’ve been struggling.

As soon as I read the message, I know I’m right.

Hey. How’s it going in VT? Keeping busy? Was just talking to Kayla about you and your store. She was saying maybe we can come out to visit you soon. Or if you feel like a vacation, you’re always welcome here.

I can’t even be mad at Cole. If one of my old buddies said they were having trouble adjusting to civilian life, I’d probably do the same thing. So I smile as I send a reply.

I’m doing okay. It’s different. But I’m getting used to it. And VT is great. Hiking, skiing, craft beer… Not sure when I’ll have a chance to head out west, with the store and repairs and all, but would love to have you and Kayla visit if you can.

Three dots blink for a second.

I understand. Things have been pretty busy lately, we’ve had a lot of requests for help, but I’ll try to schedule something in the next couple of months.

Tayo works for a group called the Brotherhood Protectors, and I know they’re always busy. It’s how he actually met his wife; first, finding her a place to stay at the ranch they use as headquarters, and later rescuing her from sex traffickers.

It’s because of his experience that I end up telling him about Winter.

Would love to have you visit anytime.

Something pretty crazy happened last night, actually.

Tayo’s reply comes back immediately.

What happened? Do you need help?

It’s something I love about all the people I’ve met in the Army. It’s like a big family and there’s never a shortage of brothers and sisters ready to offer their assistance.

My stomach growls angrily, so I take a slice of bread from the load and tear a large bite out of it—very classy, my mother would scold me if she could see me—before responding to Tayo.

I don’t think I need help right now. But the store was robbed last night. They haven’t caught the main suspect, but I found a woman there. She was unconscious in my office. The guy who broke in hit her when he discovered her calling 911. Knocked her out. He took off and left her there.

She says he held her hostage for a month. Hurt her. Threatened her. And when he dragged her along to be the lookout and she realized it was my store, she had to do something, So she snuck in after him and called for help.

I’m still typing as Tayo’s message comes through.

Shit. That’s a lot to unpack. Is she seriously hurt? Are you sure she wasn’t involved? How did she know it was your store? Do you know her?

I nod at the screen as I type.

Yes. I’ve met her a couple times. She’s not like that. I don’t think Winter would rob anything, much less the business of a person she knows. And she risked herself to call 911. She could have run away. Tried to save herself. But she didn’t. And her story…

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