Page 58 of Mountain Refuge

Taya’s constant furtive glances behind them started to set Ryan’s nerves on edge. “Are you expecting someone?”

“No.”

“My aunt is always…nervous. She spent too much time in the military. Special forces. It made her hard.” Tracy picked at a loose thread on her sweater.

“I said to stop talking.” Taya exhaled heavily.

PTSD maybe? Ryan trained his attention on the road in front of them. If the woman didn’t want to talk, he wouldn’t force her to. But, with no one talking, the twenty-minute drive would seem much longer.

As soon as they entered the Langley city limits, Tracy started clamoring about the dog. “Come on. We can take it into the store with us. No one will care.”

Taya closed her eyes as if she had a headache. “Pick your battles,” she muttered. “Fine, Mr. Boyne. The dog pound first.”

Once at the pound, Taya marched straight for the door that said large breeds. Barking immediately assailed them. She peered in each cage and read each sign on the cage door before finally stopping.

Ryan read the sign. “Betty. Seven-year-old female. Former military and service dog.”

“I’d like to meet this one, please,” she told the attendant.

“Oh, good. Betty is scheduled to be euthanized in a few days. No one seems to want the older dogs.” The attendant opened the door and clipped a leash on the dog’s collar. “Follow me.”

She led them to a fenced-in, grassy area and removed the leash. “I’ll be back in fifteen minutes. Enjoy. She’s a real sweetie.”

“I don’t want a sweetie. I want a guard dog.” Taya tilted her head.

The woman grinned. “I’m sorry, sir. Please step outside the fence.”

“For what?” Ryan’s eyes widened. He was pretty sure he wouldn’t like what was coming.

“Protect the girl.”

The dog lunged for Ryan, barking as if she wanted to eat his face.

“It’s okay, girl. Watch him.”

The dog sat, keeping her dark eyes fixed on Ryan.

Taya smiled. “What else can she do?”

“Pretty much whatever you tell her. Once she knows she belongs to you, she’ll die for you.”

“You know this dog.” Ryan slowly reentered the yard.

“She belonged to my brother. I wanted to keep her, but I live in an apartment. That wouldn’t be fair.” She rubbed the dog’s ears. “Breaks my heart. Please take her.” She glanced from Ryan to Taya. “She comes with a service vest, although you’ll have to register her under your name.”

“We’ll take her.” Taya’s smile widened.

Tracy dropped to her knees, wrapped her arms around the dog, and sobbed.

~

“No sign of them, boss.” Moore stepped back as Boss stood from behind his desk.

“Keep looking. They can’t have disappeared. You’re one of the few the girl hasn’t seen. I want them brought to me.” Boss had plans for Trapp, and the girl was still worth a lot of money. Once she saw what he could do to her, she’d cooperate easily enough.

“Can I take a chopper up? Try and locate her vehicle?”

Boss waved a dismissive hand. “Whatever it takes. Search the whole state and the neighboring one. Check every small town in every valley and mountain. While you’re at it, check every state surrounding this God-forsaken Oklahoma. Just bring them to me.” He’d give his right arm to be back in California at the beach. But, he needed the large amount of money trafficking these girls brought in. It might take a while to find the girl who escaped, but he would find her. Of that he was certain.

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