Page 54 of Mountain Refuge

“Okay, if you’re sure.”

“I’m sure.” Taya kept a smile on her face and rushed back to where she’d left Tracy, just as relieved as every other time to see her where she’d left her. She tossed her niece a candy bar. “Let’s make it quick. We’re almost to the top.”

“Then what?”

“We find a place to hide out for a while.” Once she found a way into town, she’d buy a used car under an assumed name, use a fake address, and pray it all worked to keep Tracy out of…whoever’s hands.

At the top, she set down the case of water and her pack to stare over the valley. Fog drifted through the trees, and a fine mist settled above Taya’s head. She’d never seen anything so peaceful in her life.

“Wow,” Tracy said from behind her. “I didn’t think views like this existed.”

“Me either.” It almost made her forget the danger coming.

They rested for a good half an hour before she pulled her niece to her feet. “Look for barely used paths. There should be a cabin down one of them.”

“I hope so. I’ve never been this tired in my entire life.”

Taya doubted that. Without having a place to stay, they hadn’t yet discussed in any detail what her niece had gone through. That would come later when Tracy felt safe.

Spotting a path not too much further, Taya headed that way. Ten minutes later, they stood in front of a cabin that had definitely seen better days, but it did have a roof, four walls, intact windows, and a front door. It would suffice.

“Let’s put our stuff on the porch and take a look around.” She didn’t want any close neighbors. At least not close enough to wonder why they’d just arrived. People could get nosy, which could lead to them being killed.

“Can we make it short? I’m tired of walking. Will we have internet? Wi-Fi?” Tracy peppered her with questions as they entered a clearing.

Two German shepherds raced toward them.

Taya spun around and gave her niece a shove. “Run!” She raised her rifle.

A piercing whistle split the air.

The dogs stopped.

A man stepped from the trees across the meadow.

~

Ryan Boyne stared at the woman and young girl his dogs had cornered. Since he hadn’t seen a living person in over a week, not since he went to town anyway, it took a minute before he realized how terrified they must be. “Astro! Boris! Down, boys. Please, don’t shoot.” He jogged toward them, hands out. “Please.”

The woman reluctantly lowered her weapon. “They were going to attack.”

Ryan gripped both dogs’ collars. “No, they would have only guarded you.”

The young girl stretched out her hand, only to have the woman snatch it back. “Don’t touch them.”

“They really won’t hurt her. It’s okay.” He glanced behind them. “You hiking? We don’t get many people up this way.” Which he liked. He’d rented his cabin because of the privacy and how secluded it was.

“Yes.” Her features hardened.

“I’m Ryan Boyne.” He let go of one of the dogs and held out his hand. When she didn’t offer hers, he wiped his palm on his pants. “Well, maybe I’ll see you around. Come on, boys.” He flashed a smile he didn’t feel. There was a story here—one he itched to find out more about. But first, he had a different story to finish.

As he headed away, the young girl complained about the absence of Wi-Fi. He stopped and turned. “You can log into mine if you’re close enough. I don’t have anything to write down the password, though. It’s under BoyneCabin—one word, two capital letters.”

“I can remember it.” The girl smiled.

He’d rattled off the password before meeting the harsh stare of the woman. She didn’t like him talking to the girl. Very well. He’d let them be. “Have a good day.” Ryan hadn’t realized how lonely he’d become until seeing them. Sure, the dogs were company, and he’d rented the cabin for solitude to finish his book, but seeing people so close brought the loneliness home. Maybe he needed to go into town more.

What caused the woman to be so guarded? The girl, too, until he’d offered the Wi-Fi password. A flicker of interest had passed over her face when she tried to pet the dogs. He glanced over his shoulder.

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