Page 96 of Mountain Refuge

“Nope. Not a soul on this planet would dare harm a hair of that woman’s head. She’s the town’s grandmother. If they did, the wrath of God would descend. We’ve also put a tracker on your phone, so please try to keep it with you at all times.”

She nodded. He might have something. Who would expect two fugitives to stay with an old lady?

The sheriff pulled into the drive of an old Victorian. The front door opened and a woman around seventy years of age stepped onto the front porch. A smile graced her face, her hands hidden in her apron.

“Inside, quick.”

“Cowboys.” Tracy froze, her gaze on the two men riding horses down the street.

“They’ll patrol at regular intervals tonight.” The sheriff grabbed a couple of bags, leaving the rest to Taya and led them quickly inside the house.

“June, meet Taya and Tracy. I’ll send someone in the morning to pick them up.”

“That’s fine. We’ll make cookies.” She motioned down the hall. “You’re welcome to the first room on the right. Bathroom is across the hall.”

“Thank you. We really appreciate you letting us stay.” Taya smiled.

“I love company. Even better with a spice of danger.” She laughed and showed the sheriff out before turning back to Taya. “Y’all meet me in the kitchen when you’re settled. You must be curious about the safe house.”

Less than ten minutes later, Taya sat at a vintage dinette set in the kitchen, a cup of coffee in front of her while June put Tracy to work baking oatmeal cookies. Things seemed so normal at the moment.

“You’ll be staying in a house similar to this one, but also very different.” June wagged her eyebrows. “The owner, Gemma O’Connor, formerly Ricca, bought the house when she ran away from her wedding. Being the daughter of a mob boss, and almost having married one, she built a safe room inside. You aren’t the only ones who might have to use it.” She held up the coffeepot.

“No, thanks. It’s used regularly as a safe house?”

“First time that I know of. Last time someone had need of the place, Gemma rented it to them because her and her husband were traveling to Europe. I’m sure they’ll take a vacation in order for you to stay there. Now that they’re parents, they still want to help, but they won’t put their family in danger.”

“I understand that.” She wished Tracy hadn’t been put into danger. Taya had felt guilty enough when she’d been abducted while Taya was on a mission, but to find out that her partner, a man she trusted, was behind the abduction was almost too much to bear. There had to have been a clue she missed.

Rescuing Tracy and the other girls hadn’t been the first such mission the group had been on. Had Mason been involved in those too? Had he simply gone along with the rescue to deflect suspicion off him? Men had died during those missions, both good and bad. How could she not have seen the type of man he was?

“Tell me about the cowboys.” Tracy stirred the cookie mixture.

“Handsome, aren’t they?” June dumped in some chocolate chips. “The ranch they’re from is fairly new. Usually, it’s the motorcycle gang patrolling the streets when there’s trouble, but they’re away at some kind of rally. Sheriff Westbrook often asks for help from Langley PD, but the folks of Misty Hollow pitch in when needed. The two of you came to the right place.”

“I thought so at first, but they still found us.” Taya wrapped her hands around the coffee she had yet to take a sip of.

“Evil finds a way until good takes it out.” June dropped spoonfuls of cookie dough onto a tray. “Bad people come to Misty Hollow, same as good. Happens more often than we’d like, to be honest.” She waved the wooden spoon at Taya. “I can tell you this, though. We’ve yet to be beaten down or fail to send evil packing.”

Taya was counting on it.

Chapter Eighteen

A knock soundedon the door the next morning as Taya and Tracy enjoyed a breakfast of chocolate gravy and biscuits—something Tracy said she intended to eat every morning for the rest of her life.

“You go right ahead and get fat.” Taya smiled and went to answer the door.

A police officer flashed his badge. “Langley PD. We’re here to transfer you.”

She glanced over at Tracy who shoved the last bite of biscuit into her mouth. “I’m ready.” She jumped up and gave June a hug. “I promise to be back to visit when this is all over.”

“I’ll hold you to it.” The woman returned the hug, then cupped her cheek. “We’ll make a pie.”

Tears shimmered in Tracy’s eyes as she headed for the door and grabbed one of the bags sitting there. “I’m ready.”

“It won’t be long now.” Taya tried to smile but failed.

“Right.” Tracy shoved past her. “Let’s get to our new prison.”

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