Page 7 of Found By the Mountain Man

“If you’re running from someone, I need to know so I can keep you safe.”

I don’t say anything, and Rhys sits back on his chair.

“You don’t have to tell me who it is, but if you’re running from something nod your head.”

My whole life I’ve been running from something. Ever since I turned sixteen and left the last foster care place. I thought a handsy foster kid was bad, but it was nothing compared to what happened at the compound.

But even before I got into the system, I was on the run with Mom. We were always running from one dealer boyfriend or another. She’d promise to stay clean only to hook up with another dealer somewhere else.

“Yeah.” I nod. “I’m running from something.”

I’ve been running my whole life. And I’m exhausted. I want to curl up in a safe place, a place where I can stay forever. I’m not sure that even exists.

Rhys nods briskly. “You’re safe here, Indigo.”

I start at the unfamiliar name. But it’s growing on me.

“I mean it. You stay here as long as you need. I’ll help you heal and rest, and when you’re ready, maybe you’ll tell me your story.”

His kindness is touching. I do feel safe here. Rhys has a way of putting me at ease. He doesn’t pry, and I’m thankful for that.

“Thank you.”

He stands up, and I’m relived he’s not pushing me to talk when I’m not ready.

I bring the dishes over to the sink where he’s running hot water. As he takes the plates from me, his hands are trembling. He dunks them in the water, and I wonder if I imagined it. But a few moments later, his hands shake so badly he knocks one of the other plates as he’s putting a dish on the rack. I pretend not to notice and go wipe the table down, giving him the time he needs to compose himself.

But it makes me wonder what he did in the military and what the military did to him.

5

RHYS

It’s been four days and three nights since I carried Indigo into my cabin. Since she came to, I’ve given her privacy at night, and instead of sleeping in the chair, I’ve taken up a post outside the bedroom, sleeping on the floor with my shotgun across my lap.

I don’t know what she’s running from, but if they turn up here, I’m not taking any chances. I’ll defend her to the death if I have to.

Every time I look at her bruised eye, a surge of anger pulses through me. I’ve kept it hidden from her because she’s as skittish as a newborn deer, looking over her shoulder and peeking out the window as if she expects to see someone lurking in the woods.

I hope the scumbags who did that to her do come so I can give them what they deserve.

She protested about taking my bed at first. But I told her I’d sleep on the couch; she has no idea I camp out outside her door.

Before she rises each morning, I roll up my blanket and move to the living room. The military taught me to sleep anywhere. The wooden cabin floor is no hardship for me. All the comfort I need is knowing that Indigo is sleeping while I’m protecting her. I just wish I knew what from.

This morning I’m making coffee when she surfaces from the bedroom, yawning daintily with her eyes groggy from sleep.

“Morning, Rainbow.”

She smiles shyly at the pet name I’ve given her, and my heart melts a little more. She stretches like a kitten, and I’m overcome by my want to keep her. I’ve never had anyone who was mine before.

I grew up in foster care, and while the foster parents were good to me, no one wanted to adopt me into their family. A sullen boy with a love of firearms and a marksman’s aim spells trouble wherever he goes. One look at me and people thought I was trouble, so I ended up living up to people’s expectations.

I ran around with a bad crowd. We broke into a convenience store once and stole bars of chocolate. A crime so innocent in its motivation it could make you weep. Boys wanting candy.

Too bad a cop car happened to be cruising past as we ran out with our spoils. It landed me a spell in juvie. It was there I learned about the opportunities in the military. They recruit from places like that. Giving boys a purpose in life, a chance to channel their energy into something good.

The military saved me, that’s for sure. Even if it spat me out a damaged man.

---