Page 1 of Crossroads of Betrayal
CHAPTERONE
A swirl of late October air rustled the leaves in the trees. Morning sun streamed down and burned away lingering drops of dew. Grace Taylor tilted her face skyward and closed her eyes, soaking up the last moments of peace she’d experience for the next four days.
Four days camping in the wilderness would normally be her idea of pure heaven. Chilly nights around a campfire with only the cacophony of nature and the peaks of the Smoky Mountains. Days spent hiking her favorite trails and foraging for hidden treasures. Only herself for company.
If she couldn’t outrun her demons, at least she could wear herself out so by the time her head hit the pillow, sleep wouldn’t be far behind.
But this was different. For the next four days and nights she would be responsible for the handful of guests who wanted to rough it away from Crossroads Mountain Retreat and escape into the woods with Grace as their guide. A bi-annual tradition Brooke insisted on and Grace dreaded more and more with each new camping trip.
“You better open your eyes if you’re going to show this group where to go.”
The sugary sweet voice of her friend and boss, Brooke Mather, had Grace grinding her teeth. She forced a tight smile and hooked her long, dark strands into a braid to keep her from fisting her hands. “Do you really want me to tell all these lovely people where they should go?”
Brooke fought a laugh. “Be nice.”
She dipped her chin in the direction of two women she hadn’t met yet. “Those two haven’t been to any of the activities I’ve led and judging by the pure white sneakers on the young one, I doubt they know what they’re getting into. Being nice won’t keep them safe, but I’ll try my best.”
There weren’t any rules at the retreat that required the guests to attend certain activities or outings. Brooke’s mission was just to allow space and options for injured law enforcement and veterans to find mental and physical healing. Guests could choose between traditional therapy, alternative practices, or focus on more physical wellness. Hell, they could trap themselves in one of the cabins dotted along the lake if they really wanted.
If Brooke didn’t manage to coax people out of their hiding holes with her magnetic personality, the crappy coffee and shitty provisions were usually enough to at least get them up to the lodge.
But when Grace led a strenuous hiking and camping excursion, she preferred to know a little about the people she’d be responsible for. Which meant spending time at the shooting range or throwing axes in the woods or whatever else they chose to do.
“They got here last night but were really excited about the camping trip. I warned them what to expect, and they both agreed they were more than capable. They promised they’re experienced outdoorswomen.”
The older woman struggled with the heavy pack on her shoulders, and Grace snorted. “For their safety, I hope so.”
Brooke snagged an arm around her shoulder, which had to look comical with Brooke’s petite stature. Brooke was a good five inches shorter than Grace. But she didn’t brush off her friend, even though physical touch always made her uncomfortable.
“You’ll whip them all into shape,” Brooke said. “Even the ones with less experience. But I mean, if you’d rather cancel so you can stay around here and help me plan the big anniversary celebration for the retreat, I’d gladly accept your assistance.”
The idea of planning anything larger than a backyard barbeque made beads of sweat break out at her hairline. “Unless you want a hog roast and a keg, you don’t want my help.”
Brooke gave her a little squeeze then dropped her arm. “Sounds good to me. I just need a little more pizazz to celebrate Crossroads Mountain Retreat’s three years of survival.”
Bending down, Grace scooped up her pack and shrugged it on her back. “Survival, huh?”
Chuckling, Brooke shrugged. “Sometimes it feels like that’s all we’ve done. This place, these people,” she gestured toward the eager hikers. “The workers. But we’ll keep on surviving. Keep on pushing forward into a new year of business, helping people cope one day at a time.”
The wistful look in Brooke’s brown eyes and the conviction in her tone constricted Grace’s chest. Brooke had survived more than one traumatic experience and still stood tall and proud and eager to give back to everyone who came into her life. Grace had narrowly escaped the tragedy that kept her hidden, the guilt and self-loathing too much to ever outrun.
Unable to push words through the emotion clogging her throat, Grace offered a sincere smile. “Certainly sounds like something to celebrate.”
“A celebration you’ll be at, whether you like it or not.” Brooke leveled her best don’t-mess-with-me-look.
Grace resisted the urge to flick Brooke’s nose. She’d rather pluck out her eyelashes than attend a party, but now wasn’t the time to argue. Instead, she focused on the individuals she’d be spending the next few nights with. Besides the two newbies, she’d spent time with the other four guests. Two men and two women between the ages of twenty and forty, none with physical injuries that would hold them up on the trails.
“It’s a good size group,” she said, although she’d prefer to be alone. “Six isn’t too big.”
“You mean seven,” Brooke said, raising her eyebrows and making her way to say hello to the eager campers. She waved as she walked.
Grace frowned and counted the faces that lingered in the open field cleared beside the shooting range. “There’s only six here.”
“A new guest came early this morning. I mentioned needing to get out here before y’all took off, and he wanted to join. I didn’t see the harm in adding another. Trust me, he’s plenty fit enough to keep up. Quite the looker, too.”
Grace snorted. “I bet Lincoln would love hearing that.” She moved beside Brooke, keeping her strides short so her friend didn’t have to hurry her pace. The heavy pack on her back already had her shoulders aching, but she craved the pain. The pull of her muscles. The strain that always came after a long day of hard work.
“Doesn’t hurt anyone to look. Including you.”
