Page 38 of Mountain Hero

“But what if he does?” Voice pitching up, panic straining her voice, she says, “Maybe I should go back. If I go home, he’ll find me there. And maybe he’ll leave Aunt Linette?—”

“No.” The very idea of it makes my blood go cold. “No, Winter. You can’t.”

“I don’t want to. But…”

Shit. Shit.

Winter’s crying and she looks so scared and it feels like my chest is caving in. I never thought I could feel this way but shit, I’d do anything to fix this for her.

And there’s no way I’m letting her go back to Thomas. No way.

Gathering her into my arms, I hug her against me, tucking her head under my chin. As I rub her back in slow circles, I say, “You were right. What you told your aunt. I can help. If you’ll let me.”

Her arms snake around my waist. “Okay.”

“Alright. Come sit, and I’ll tell you what we’re going to do.”

I guide Winter over to the couch, and the instant we sit down, she burrows back into my chest. I can barely hear her as she mumbles into my shirt, “What can we do?”

“You know I have lots of friends I met in the Army, right? And you remember how I said we all help each other?”

Another small nod, and a sniffly, “Yes.”

“So I have a buddy out in Colorado. Tayo. He works for this group called the Brotherhood Protectors. It’s made up of a bunch of former military guys—Green Berets, SEALS, Rangers, Delta—and they provide protection to people who need it.”

Winter lifts her head to look at me. There’s a hint of hope in her eyes, but it quickly dims. “I don’t know if I have the money for that, Enzo. And my aunt… I can’t let her… Plus, I have to figure out a way to pay for the repairs to her house. I just… with not working, and…”

“They do it for free. It’s part of their mission. But I’m thinking; they have a ranch out near Colorado Springs, where some of the guys live. It’s really safe there. I can call Tayo, have him pick up your aunt and bring her to the ranch. She can stay there until Thomas is caught.”

“Do you think… would there be room? Would she be comfortable there?”

“Absolutely.” I think back to all the things I’ve heard about Lost Valley Ranch and the Brotherhood. “Some of the men live there with their wives. So it’s not just a bunch of guys there. They have farm animals, and a little bar that they run, and it’s supposed to be really beautiful.”

While Winter worries her lip, I add, “If you really want her to be closer, the guys from Blade and Arrow can help. But it would be faster to bring your aunt to Colorado than try to get her on a flight back here.”

“That’s true.” The hope in her eyes kindles again. “Aunt Linette loves animals. She would probably like that.”

“So.” I hold her gaze, thumbing away the tears still leaking down her cheeks. “Do you want me to call Tayo? I bet he could have someone on the way to pick up Aunt Linette tonight. She’ll be safe at the ranch by tomorrow morning.”

After a brief pause, she says, “Yes. Can you call him?”

“Of course. Right away.”

I’m about to set Winter to the side—not that I want to, holding her feels more perfect than anything I can remember—but she clutches my arms instead. “Can you…”

“What?”

“Can you just… hold me? For a minute?” A faint pink touches her cheeks. “I… this…” The rest of her words spill out in a rush. “I feel better like this. With you holding me. It doesn’t feel so scary or awful. I feel like things might be okay.”

Oh.

My heart.

“Ah, hun.” This time when I pull her to me, I kiss the top of her head; just for a second. “I will always hold you. Anytime you want.”

“Are you sure?” And the look in her eyes just about slays me. There’s worry and uncertainty, but also trust and affection and something that makes me think there might be more of a chance for us than I’ve let myself hope for.

But not now.

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