Page 21 of Layla

Layla wasn’t sure what to make of this Mountainville. She’d heard more than a few people talk about it. She knew it was close, too, mere miles away. It wasn’t for her, though. It was for Littles.

Surely it wasn’t for her.

Right?

She gulped as she thought it all over. She wondered what Kirk had thought upon hearing her call him Daddy.

Those question would have to wait as her thoughts were interrupted by a shadowy figure across the street, partially concealed in the under-construction church.

The other women noticed him, too. Despite the pleasant temperatures, he wore a dark coat with the hood up and cinched tightly around his face. He seemed to realize the women were watching him because he stepped out into plain view and stepped closer.

He waved.

It was evident there was no warmth or goodwill behind the gesture. It was as if a sinister air hung around the stranger.

A chill traced Layla’s spine.

“Ladies, hurry back to my house. We need to get Wyatt,” Margo said quietly and calmly, yet in a firm tone.

The others did as the older woman had suggested. Layla cast a glance over her shoulder to see the hooded figure lingering a moment longer before he turned and ran.

She had no idea who he was, but one thing was painstakingly obvious.

He didn’t belong in Brennan County.

Chapter Eleven

“While the ladies are talking, this might be a good time for us to discuss that little issue I’ve spoken to you all about,” Sheriff Stone said.

The men were gathered in his garage, around the 1968 cherry red Plymouth Barracuda. There were twelve, each eager to hear what the sheriff had to say. Word had spread among them about the potential danger that lurked, and even those who weren’t in attendance had heard and were keeping a watchful eye.

“I caught glimpse of someone up in the rocks, overlooking town,” Wyatt said. “It wasn’t much, and I didn’t get a good look at them, but I know it wasn’t just my imagination. Someone was up there alright.”

“Same spot as you told us about the other day?” Kirk asked.

“No. Different.”

A heavy silence hung over the group for a moment. Finally, Kirk broke it again by saying, “If you need to deputize anyone, I’ll step up.”

“Same here,” Adam said.

“That goes for me, too,” James said.

All of the men voiced similar sentiments.

“Let’s hope it doesn’t come to that, but I’m obliged to you all. And if need be, I’ll take you up on the offer.

“Right now, we still don’t know who this person is or what they want. I guess we should expect curious folks spying. They think we’re some kinky sex cult or something.

“Or it still might be someone just wanting to go after our construction materials. Heck, as bad as the economy is and the price of lumber and tools right now, I expect folks to back trucks up daily and make off with all our stuff. I’m keeping a close eye on things.”

Kirk nodded and said, “Do you need to hire someone? This might be too much for one man, even an old, experienced law dog like yourself.”

“Who you callin’ old, son?” Wyatt said with a grin.

Everyone laughed.

The sheriff continued. “That would cost more money. Tax money.”

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