Page 22 of Mountain Hero

A few seconds go by before his message appears.

So you think she’s innocent. Is she still in danger? From the guy who hurt her?

My molars grind as I send my reply.

Yes. The police have her at a motel outside town. But she has a concussion. And she’s scared. In pain. I saw her at the hospital this morning and…

And what? I can’t stop thinking about her? Worrying?

But Tayo knows what I’m saying without having to see it.

What does your gut say?

I glance out the window again. While the dark doesn’t bother me, I can’t help wondering if Winter is afraid of it. Is she sitting in the room with all the lights blaring? Is she jumping at sounds, afraid the tiny creak means Thomas has somehow found her?

I know what my gut is saying.

It could be wrong. I could show up at Winter’s motel room and she could be completely fine. She could think I’m being nosy and overbearing instead of concerned.

But if I don’t at least check…

On the drive over there, I second-guess myself half a dozen times. Me. I used to make life or death decisions on nearly every mission, sometimes with only seconds to deliberate. There wasn’t any room for doubt. Our survival relied on making a decision and committing to it.

When I get to the motel, I get that kick in the gut again.

It looks even worse than I remember. Flickering halogen streetlights illuminate a cracked parking lot with a handful of old cars. Paint is peeling from the siding and the landscaping consists of scattered brown shrubs and a lawn that’s more dirt than grass. Several of the rooms appear occupied, the faint glow of lamps and TVs leaking through cracked blinds.

A police car is parked about two-thirds of the way down the building, between units eight and nine. It’s fairly close to the doors; theoretically close enough to spot anyone trying to break in, but if the officer isn’t paying attention…

I pull into a parking space a few spots down, then approach the police car with my hands raised in a gesture to show I mean no harm. Fortunately, I know the officer—Fred was the same year as me and he recognizes me immediately.

He rolls down his window and says, “Enzo! What are you doing here?”

Lifting my chin at him, I reply, “Just wanted to visit Winter for a minute. See how she’s doing.”

His gaze narrows speculatively. “Just see how she’s doing?”

“Yeah. With the concussion and all.” Clearly he wants more of an explanation—which I’m actually happy about, it means he’s doing his job—so I add, “I know her. From before this. And how she helped out at the store, calling 911, then getting hurt… I’m worried about her. I just want to see how she’s feeling.”

Fred’s eyebrows jump up, and I can already hear the small-town gossip mill churning. But he nods and gives me a small smile. “Okay. She’s in room eight.”

After another minute of conversation—how do I think the Sox are doing, did I see that new gas station going in, and what are my thoughts about those out-of-staters trying to bring a Starbucks into town—I make my way toward Winter’s room.

At her door, I battle another quick rush of self-doubt. Should I be here? Should I have brought something? Food? Snacks? Some kind of small gift?

I’m not sure of the proper procedure for visiting someone who’s hurt, hiding from her abusive ex, was responsible for saving my business from being burned down, and also happens to be a woman I can’t stop thinking about.

As I knock on her door, I say, “Winter, it’s Enzo. I just wanted to stop by for a minute. See how you’re doing. I hope that’s okay.”

There’s no response for a few seconds, making me wonder if she’s sleeping. It’s not late, only a bit past nine P.M., but if she’s tired, maybe took a pain pill…

Then the door opens, and once again, I know my gut was right.

Winter looks anything but okay.

The bruise on her forehead has blossomed into an even more vivid array of reds and purples. Dark smudges shadow her eyes. Her lip is red and swollen like she’s been gnawing at it, and there are dried tear-tracks on her cheeks.

She’s shivering even though she's wearing a long-sleeved shirt and yoga pants and the air conditioner in the room is silent.

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