Mountain Secrets Elizabeth Goddard (life changing books to read .txt) 📖

out of here.” He paused and studied her. “Are you okay to walk?”

She nodded.

After everything she’d been through, he wasn’t so sure. He gently urged her ahead of him as he watched the woods surrounding them. They had no way of knowing if her pursuer was working with someone or working alone. Better to take no chances.

If Jewel had someone like a bodyguard to stick with her all the time, maybe this would already be resolved.

But he couldn’t be certain of that since an officer had been killed and another injured while watching over her. A lot of collateral damage considering the target was one smallish middle-aged blonde woman—beautiful and strong though she was.

At the trailhead, Cobie and Adam Warren stood next to the minivan they’d purchased for the arrival of their baby. They looked ready for a hike. Colin smiled to himself. Seemed like they had plans for a bigger family. That thought stabbed him just a little. Reminded him of the big hole in his life.

Adam was wrestling a hiking pack out of the back of the van while Cobie held her baby. Colin tried to remember the baby girl’s name but fell short. Was she three months old now? Time flew so fast.

When Cobie saw them, she glanced at the weapon in Colin’s hand. A look of alarm flashed across her face. She tugged on Adam’s sleeve. He turned and saw Colin and Jewel. For a second he froze, then dropped the pack. “Hey, Chief Winters, Jewel.” His gaze jumped from Colin to Jewel. “What’s going on? You run across a bear or something?”

Colin didn’t want to start a panic. Nor did he want to see others hurt. “Not a bear. Two-legged creatures can be more dangerous at times. These woods aren’t safe right now. Jewel was attacked and, though I think he’s long gone, her attacker could still be out there.”

Cobie gasped. “Oh, Jewel. Are you okay?”

“I’m fine.”

But Cobie’s expression said she didn’t believe Jewel.

Adam’s brows drew together as he directed his words to his wife. “Get in the car.”

His tone was authoritative, driven by his fear and a man’s need to protect his family. Cobie nodded her agreement and got into the backseat with the baby. As Cobie busied herself with putting the baby in the car seat, Adam focused on Jewel.

“Grandma Katy told me you had a scare. Got pushed into the falls. And she told me about Jed. I’m sorry about that. About all of it. I’m sorry this is happening to you, Jewel.”

What did one say to that? An image of Jed’s wife, Clara, flashed in Colin’s mind. That’s where he’d been—talking to Jed’s widow—when he’d been told about the accident involving Officer Roberts and Jewel. He’d had to rush out and leave Clara with the news.

“Thank you, I guess.” She flashed a weak grin and sagged against Colin.

She was in more pain than he had thought. He wanted to kick himself.

To Colin, Adam said, “I didn’t realize that it wouldn’t be safe out here. You’ve got your hands full with this investigation, huh, Chief Winters? Is there anything I can do?”

“Just keep your family safe. All of them.”

“Do you know who is behind the attacks?”

“Not with any certainty.”

Jewel stiffened against him, then eased back and looked him in the eyes. What was she thinking? Was she any closer to telling him what she knew?

“We’ll get out of your way, then. I’ll make sure the rest of the clan knows,” Adam said.

The baby started crying, and Cobie glanced over her shoulder at her husband, urgent concern carved in her features.

“I wonder if it’s safe for Grandma Katy to be helping at the B and B,” Cobie said.

Adam shifted as though he regretted his wife’s words. They could be taken wrong, sounding accusatory toward Jewel. But on the other hand, Colin wasn’t sure anyone was safe anywhere near Jewel until her attacker was caught.

Colin didn’t want to have that conversation in front of her, though. He scraped a hand around his jaw. “Can we talk later?”

Jewel pulled away from him and headed to Colin’s Jeep, which was also parked at the trailhead.

“Does Jewel need another place to stay?” Adam asked. “I mean to throw this person off her trail? You know Grandma Katy is more than happy to have her stay at the house.”

Katy Warren had already brought that up to Colin, and he had shut her down.

“You don’t need to talk around me like I’m not even here,” Jewel called from the Jeep. “In answer to your question, Adam, thank you, but I don’t want anyone else hurt. Staying at Katy’s wouldn’t be any safer for me and would be more dangerous for her.”

Exactly.

Adam’s face paled. Did he regret making the offer? Jewel wouldn’t be the first person to find a safe haven at Katy’s place, but it was somehow different this time. Jewel had been brutally attacked three times now, and an officer murdered near the B and B.

No. Going to Katy’s wasn’t the answer.

Gunfire resounded in the woods behind them. Inside the minivan, the baby’s cries grew loud and piercing. Adam dashed around to the driver’s side, but then hesitated. “Are you sure there’s nothing I can do to help?”

“You get your family out of here.”

Adam nodded and climbed into the vehicle. Seconds later, he backed out, then drove off down the road toward Mountain Cove while Colin joined Jewel at his Jeep. He assisted her into the seat, though she tried to resist. Despite her pride, she was exhausted. His chest hurt thinking of what she’d been through. How could he keep her safe? What could he do to comfort her now?

Frowning, Colin jogged around and climbed into the driver’s side. It was then that his radio squawked. One of his officers had been struck in the head with a thick branch, but he got a shot off in self-defense. He thought he hit her, but she kept running.

“Her?” The radio at his lips, Colin jerked his gaze to