Page 77 of Mountain Refuge

“That’s the men’s room.” Tracy headed the other way.

“It doesn’t matter.” Ryan groaned and followed them to the other side.

From under the awning of a camper, a man stood, watching them. Ryan lifted a hand in greeting, then closed the door behind them. “It won’t be very comfortable for a long period of time, but it’s dry.” He set his pack on a metal bench and removed his shirt, then pressed the hand dryer and held the soaked piece of clothing under the hot air, continuing to press until the shirt had mostly dried. “Next.”

“I’m good.” Taya sat on the metal bench and toed off her shoes. “I’d rather not strip down, if you don’t mind.” She jerked her head toward Tracy who did everything but look at Ryan.

Idiot. He quickly donned his shirt. He hadn’t thought about how seeing a man without his shirt on might affect the girl after her experience. “Sorry. I didn’t think about anything other than getting dry.”

“It’s okay,” Tracy said softly. “I can’t be a frightened mouse for the rest of my life. I’m bound to see some things that bother me.”

He sat next to her on the floor. “You’re one of the bravest people I’ve ever met.”

She smirked and cut him a sideways glance. “You haven’t met many people then.”

Chapter Eleven

The rain hadslowed from a torrent to a drizzle. Taya stepped back from the door. “We can make it to the car now if we cut through the campground.”

“Sounds good to me.” Ryan grabbed the backpack.

Taya stepped outside, located the clearest route to the parking lot near the lake, and took off in a sprint between the campsites. A man lifted a hand in greeting as they dashed past him. She leaped over a puddle only to land ankle deep in another. Her shoes squished as she ran.

Behind her sounded the heavier thuds of Ryan and the occasional gasp and groan from Tracy. The only one who seemed to be enjoying their run through the rain was the dog who loped alongside of them, tongue hanging out, purposely splashing through every puddle they came across.

By the time they reached the Jeep, as wet as when they’d entered the bathroom, they broke out laughing. Taya swiped hair from her face. “Good thing I don’t have cloth seats. We’re nothing but a bunch of drowned rats.”

“I was going to take y’all to supper, but I think I’ll order pizza.” Ryan opened her door for her, then the back passenger door for Tracy and the dog.

“Sounds great. A hot shower, comfy clothes, pizza, and good movie.” Taya climbed in and shut her door. Across the lake, the sun began a slow peek between the clouds. “Looks like it’s clearing up.”

“Right after ruining our outing.” He turned the key in the ignition.

“No, it was a great day.” She reached over and rested her hand on his arm. “Thank you. We did need this.”

“You’re welcome.” He returned her smile and drove up the mountain.

Thankfully, he had two showers. Taya took the one in the master bedroom while Tracy rushed to the second one. The hot water washed away the chill of the early spring rain. When she’d finished, Taya felt like a new woman.

She pulled on a pair of black yoga pants and a tee shirt before moving to the living room. “Your turn.”

“Great. Pizza is ordered. Money is on the table if the delivery comes before I’m finished.” He peeled off his shirt on the way.

Taya took a moment to admire the muscles of his strong back. It had taken all her willpower not to ogle him in the campground restroom. The man was definitely built. Asking him to put his shirt on had been as much for her benefit as Tracy’s. It had been a long time since Taya found herself attracted to a man, but now was definitely not the time.

Taya sat at the table and opened her laptop which had arrived the day before. She had several emails, one from one of the groups she hoped to help. Her blood chilled as she read.

A third girl had disappeared from Langley, and the group wanted to know whether Taya could take a look around town, do some investigating, find out if the trafficking group she’d broken up had moved to Arkansas. She straightened in her chair.

Could she? What would she do with Tracy? Yes, Taya wanted to help in any way she could, but leaving her niece alone while she did so was out of the question.

She glanced down the hall toward the master bedroom. Would Ryan keep an eye on her? He had no right to keep Taya from doing whatever she wanted, but that wouldn’t stop him from trying to stop her.

Taya studied the photos of the missing girls. All around the age of fourteen. All blond. All blue eyes. Just like Tracy. She closed the laptop and moved to the back kitchen window. Gathering clouds cast the woods into deep shadow and promised another storm.

Everything in her wanted to help stop this ring. Everything in her wanted to protect Tracy at all costs. She felt as mentally stretched as a rubber band and as useless as a hunting dog who couldn’t smell.

The water in both showers shut off. She shook her head at how long of a shower Tracy had taken. Well, Ryan could speak to her if he was concerned about the water usage. Tracy rarely listened to Taya anymore.

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