Page 70 of Mountain Refuge

“The post office in town. I have a PO box there.” He leaned over her shoulder, filling her senses with a musky cologne. “Here.” He tapped the screen. “Looks like you’ll have it in two days. Until then, you can use mine.”

She glanced up, bringing her face uncomfortably close to his. She cleared her throat and looked away. “Didn’t you start writing again?”

He chuckled and stepped back. “I don’t write twenty-four hours a day, Taya. I’m a morning writer. There’s plenty of time to share.”

“Can I use your laptop?” Tracy grabbed a glass from the cupboard, then filled it with tea from the refrigerator. “I miss social media.”

“Absolutely not.”

She frowned. “I have a new name. I’ll use a fake photo. What’s the big deal? I’m not stupid enough to be taken again.”

“We aren’t taking any chances.” Taya’s tone should’ve told her niece to stop.

Tracy dug in her heels. “Stop treating me like a child. I’m no longer the stupid little girl you knew. I’ve seen things!” She whipped around and stormed back outside.

“I don’t want you outside alone.” Taya started to stand.

“Stay.” Ryan put a hand on her shoulder. “Let me try to talk to her as an impartial party.”

“Are you impartial?” She narrowed her eyes.

“Absolutely not. But, that’s our secret.” He smiled and followed Tracy.

Taya stood at the window and strained to hear through the thick walls of the log cabin. She could see why Ryan liked the place so much. Even the simple construction offered privacy. At that moment, she wouldn’t have minded cheaper materials used for the walls. All she could make out were muffled voices and very little of those.

~

“What do you want?” Tracy glared. “Did my aunt send you out here?”

“No.” He leaned his back against the railing in order to see her face. “I came of my own accord. What’s going on? I know you aren’t stupid enough not to see the dangers of getting on social media.”

“Of course, I’m not. But, that’s where predators lurk. One is bound to contact me. We can set a trap.”

Lord, help them. The girl thought she’d be helping them catch The Boss. “I don’t think that’s a good idea.”

“Of course, you don’t. You’re like Taya.” She smirked. “Too old to go out and grab what needs grabbing.”

He silently counted to ten to keep from saying something he shouldn’t. “You aren’t being fair to your aunt. Tracy, you have no idea what your disappearance did to her. What she went through to find you.”

“Neither do you.” She faced him, defiance in every line of her face. “We just met you,Dad. You really don’t have a say in what we do.”

“Yes, I do.” He clenched his teeth. “This is my house. I’ve put my life on the line for the two of you. Don’t mess this up by acting like a brat. Now, get in the house.”

She opened her mouth to argue, then snapped it shut and stormed inside.

Ryan shook his head. He’d heard teenagers could be difficult, but wow. After what the girl had gone through, he wanted to be empathetic, but he wouldn’t let her mess up Taya’s plans on bringing down The Boss by putting herself in more danger. He glanced around the kitchen when he entered the house.

“That doesn’t look as if it went well.” Taya closed his laptop.

“It didn’t.” He poured them both a glass of tea, added ice, then sat across from her. “She thinks she can lure The Boss out of hiding by putting herself on social media.”

“That scares me spitless.” She guzzled her tea. “Isn’t she aware of the danger?”

“Yes. She also pointed out that I am not her real father, thus not able to tell her what to do. I told her to stop being a brat and to get in the house. Is she in her room?”

“She went that way.” Taya shot a look toward the hall. “I heard a door slam. Where’s Betty?”

Ryan’s blood chilled. He bolted to his feet and down the hall. “Tracy?” He jiggled the locked doorknob. “Open the door, please.”

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