by Terri Reed
“Kaitlyn,” he called to the other deputy, who was now talking with Leslie Quinn and Riley and Trevor Howard.
Kaitlyn extracted herself and hurried over. “What’s up?”
“Would you be willing to take my truck and Truman over to the sheriff’s parking lot? I need to take Maya’s car to her at the hospital and drive her and Brady home.”
“Sure, no problem. But I can just take Truman home with me. I can put him in one of our empty stalls.”
Kaitlyn owned a large stable where several members of the mounted patrol boarded their horses. “That would be awesome. So much better than him being cooped up in the trailer any longer than necessary.”
“My thoughts exactly.”
“Also, I don’t think Maya and Brady should be alone tonight. Would you be willing to stay with them?” He’d do it but wasn’t sure how that would go over. Better to have the female deputy stand guard over the Gallos.
“Good idea. I’ll pack a bag and head over after I get the horses rubbed down and fed.”
“Thanks, Kaitlyn.” He handed her his keys and headed for Maya’s Jeep. When he opened the door, the scent of cinnamon teased his senses. He smiled as he climbed into the driver’s seat. Maya liked Red Hots. He’d seen boxes of them behind the counter at the store. She was like that spicy candy. Bold, yet not abrasive. Sweet, but not a pushover. She didn’t tolerate guff from anybody and yet she was kind to everyone, if a bit standoffish.
He started up the Jeep and drove to the hospital. Bristle Township, Colorado, was barely considered a town. More of a hamlet or a village with less than a thousand full-time residents. He could walk from one end of Main Street to the other in a matter of minutes. The “downtown area” consisted of two rows of two-story buildings that housed a variety of shops, restaurants and businesses with the Community Christian Church a focal point at the north end.
The county stretched for miles but the town itself was quaint, rustic even, in some ways. That was what had drawn him to apply for the position of deputy for Bristle County to begin with when he’d left Denver. He’d wanted a simpler life in a place where he could belong.
And he would do anything to protect its citizens.
He parked the Jeep in the designated spot for the sheriff. Inside the hospital, he stopped by the front desk to let them know not to tow the Jeep, then he was given directions to Maya and Brady’s whereabouts. He entered the emergency room to find the siblings on side-by-side gurneys with a doctor and nurse hovering over them. Maya’s eyes widened when she saw him, and the small smile of welcome she gave him sent his pulse skittering.
Brady was more exuberant in his greeting. “Deputy Alex!” He waved. “Come over here and see what they’re doing to me.”
His injured ankle had been wrapped and placed in a walking boot.
“That is some fancy footwear there, Brady.”
“They shod my foot. Like a horse,” Brady said with a grin.
Turning to the doctor, Alex asked, “How are these two doing? Will they be released tonight?”
After looking to Maya for permission to share details and receiving an affirmative, the doctor said, “X-rays show no fractures for either of them. Brady will have to wear the boot for a week and follow up with his primary doctor. Maya’s shoulder will be sore for a while. I prescribed some PT. We will have to wait until the swelling goes down before we can do an MRI to see if there are any tears.”
Alex was glad to hear no bones had been broken. The worry that had been churning in his gut lessened.
“As to your other question, yes, they are good to go,” the doctor finished.
“They have both had pain medication.” The nurse handed him a small bag and a large one. “There’s more here. And here are their personal items.”
Alex glanced inside the large bag to see Brady’s backpack, shoe and Maya’s jacket.
The doctor turned to Maya. “Don’t let the pain get out of control, for either you or Brady. Stay on schedule at least for the first twenty-four hours.”
“Yes, sir,” she said.
“Your chariot awaits,” Alex said.
Two nurses appeared with wheelchairs.
“I get to ride a wheelchair,” Brady said, pumping his fist in the air.
Alex was glad to see Brady taking this all in stride. Alex still needed to question the boy to find out if he’d seen the deceased man and he had some questions about the Good Samaritan hikers. But that would have to wait.
After getting Maya and Brady into the Jeep, Alex drove them to their house, a cute little bungalow on a residential street behind the Community Christian Church.
He helped Maya out to the car. “You sure you can walk?”
She slanted him a chiding glance. “I hurt my shoulder.” She gestured to the sling encasing her right arm. “Not my legs.”
“Just checking.” He kind of wished she’d said she wanted him to pick her up again. He had liked holding her far more than he should have and the memory of her in his arms would stay with him for a long time.
However, Brady needed help so Alex scooped the boy up into his arms, carried him inside the house and placed him on the couch in the living room. Alex stepped back and looked around, liking the cozy feel of the Gallo home with its leather couches, bright throw pillows, a warm colorful woolen floor rug covering cherry hardwood floors and a gas fireplace below a flat-screen television.
One wall held bookshelves and framed photographs. His gaze snagged on a picture of the Gallo family when Maya and Brady were younger. His heart ached for the siblings’ loss.
The yellow-and-red-striped flag of Spain hung proudly on another wall. Off center in the wide yellow stripe was the decorative coat of arms, which reminded him of learning in grade school about Columbus and the New World.
“Alex, Alex!” Brady exclaimed. “Come sit with me.” He grabbed the remote. “It’s time for my show.”
“Can you hold off for a moment?” Alex asked. “I need to ask you some questions.”
Brady blinked at him. “Questions?”
“About what happened on the trail.”
“I already told you.” Brady aimed the remote at the television and turned on the device. An announcer’s voice filled the house as contestants ran through obstacle courses.
Maya touched Alex’s sleeve to get his attention. She gestured for him to follow her into the kitchen. Like the living room, the eating area was cozy and the counter and appliances clean.
Once they were out of earshot of Brady, Maya said, “I tried to get him to tell me what happened on the trail. But he clammed up and wouldn’t look me in the eye. I’ve never seen him do that before. Usually he’s so willing and eager to tell me every little detail of everything he does. This is unlike him. Something definitely happened, but for some reason he doesn’t want to talk about it.”
Alex wondered if the teen would open up if Maya weren’t around. Maybe Brady was afraid he’d get in trouble with his sister. Alex would try again to talk to Brady alone. “How are you doing?”
“I’m okay. Other than the shoulder.” She turned away to busy herself making coffee with one hand. It shook and sent coffee grinds skittering across the counter. She was trying to appear strong and in control, but she’d suffered trauma out on the trail, too.
Unable to stop himself, he grasped her hand. “Coffee is not what either of us need right now.”
She stilled. He expected her to move away, but she didn’t. “Right. Caffeine probably isn’t a good idea.”
He gave her hand a squeeze, then released her. “How are you going to get Brady to his room?”
She frowned. “I hadn’t thought about that.”
“Kaitlyn will be here soon to stay with you.”
Worry lit her eyes. “Do you think I’m in danger?”
He wasn’t sure what to think. “I’d rather be ov
erly cautious and not risk your safety.”
Her gaze softened to tenderness and he clenched his gut. “That’s very thoughtful of you. You’re a thoughtful man.”
Her compliment arrowed straight through him. He wasn’t used to things like that being said to him. “Thanks.” For a moment, he held her gaze, then he cleared his throat. “What can I do to help until Kaitlyn arrives?”
“If you could carry Brady to his bed that would be great,” she said. “You must be beat, as well.”
He was weary, but he wouldn’t let that keep him from helping Maya and Brady. “I’ll rest once I’m sure you’re settled for the night.”
She inclined her head. “I’d appreciate that.”
They went into the living room. Brady had fallen asleep on the couch.
“Let’s not move him.” Maya turned off the television. “There’s a blanket in the trunk in the corner.”
Alex retrieved the blanket, a fuzzy version of the Spanish flag, and spread it over Brady.
An awkward silence filled the space between them as they moved back into the kitchen.
“I take it your family has ties to Spain.” As far as small talk went, it seemed like a safe subject.
“Yes. On both sides. My father’s parents moved to the United States before my father was born. Then Dad met my mom at the University of Michigan when she was there with a study-abroad program.”
“So you have relatives still in Spain?”
She nodded. “Cousins. They live in Málaga. I visited when I was a kid. Someday I’d like to go back.”
“How did your parents end up here?” He sat on the stool.
A smile played at her pretty mouth, drawing his attention. “Dad had an interview in LA so they decided to take a road trip. He was offered the job but they weren’t sure about living in Southern California. On their way back to Michigan, they stopped here and fell in love with the town and the people.”
“It’s a great place to live.” He was thankful he’d taken the job with the sheriff’s department.
“That’s what they thought. They were staying at the Bristle Hotel and heard that people had to drive to Denver or Boulder for their hardware and feed supplies.”
“Ah. They decided to fill that need.”
“Yes.” Her gaze was curious. “What about you? Do you know your heritage?”
“No. My mother was adopted by a single woman who died long before I was born. My dad’s family lived in Alabama, but he left home at eighteen and never went back.”
“You’ve never met your grandparents?”
He shook his head. “I tried looking them up when I was a teen, but I couldn’t find the right Trevinos. No one seemed to know my dad. And he wouldn’t talk about them. I decided it didn’t matter.”
A soft knock sounded at the front door. Alex peered through the peephole. Kaitlyn. He opened the door and held a finger to his lips while pointing to Brady on the couch.
Kaitlyn nodded. She held a duffel bag in her hand. “Where shall I put my things?” she whispered.
“The den.” Maya pointed to a room off the living room. “There’s a bathroom at the end of the hall.”
Kaitlyn walked away, leaving Alex to say good-night.
“I’ll come back in the morning and check on you,” he told her. “Maybe by then Brady will be ready to talk.”
Maya opened the door and smiled at him. “I’d like that. He seems to respond well to you. Good night, Alex, and again, thank you.”
It occurred to Alex he had no way to get home. “Do you mind if I use your vehicle? Kaitlyn took my truck and Truman to her place.” He still had her keys in his pocket.
“Of course you can.” She gave him a generous smile that made him want to linger. He’d always thought she was pretty and nice but he’d never considered...
How was it that he was seeing Maya in a whole new way?
He better get his head on straight. She was a victim of a crime. She might be a damsel in distress today, but soon life would go back to the way things had always been between them. Polite acquaintances.
The thought left him cold.
* * *
Maya leaned against the closed door. It had been strange yet thrilling to have Alex in her house. His concern and care were apparent and appreciated. Had it only been this morning she’d been embarrassed because she’d thought he would think she was flirting with him through the window of the store?
So much had happened since then. And despite the terror and the trauma of the day, she had to admit she was glad to have someone like Alex watching over them.
Brady’s soft snores assured her he was still sleeping.
After Kaitlyn secured the house, making sure every door and window was locked tight, she retired to the sofa bed in the den.
Instead of going upstairs to her room, Maya grabbed another blanket from the trunk and settled herself in the recliner next to the couch. She wanted to be close in case Brady awakened. He’d be scared and in need of her.
She leaned back against the worn fabric, convinced she could still smell her father’s aftershave clinging to the material. That was ridiculous, of course, but it offered her comfort at the end of a horrifying day.
She was just dozing off when a noise at the back door sent the fine hairs on her arms standing at attention.
Holding very still, she listened, trying to discern the sound over Brady’s snoring.
Kaitlyn ran out of the den with her weapon in hand and waved Maya behind her.
Maya’s heart jolted. There was definitely something or someone trying to get in through the kitchen door.
FOUR
“Call 911,” Kaitlyn whispered to Maya.
Swallowing the lump of fear in her throat, Maya had hurried through the darkened living room toward the den, where Kaitlyn had been sleeping before they’d both heard someone trying to break in through the kitchen door.
“Maya?” Brady called out from where he lay on the couch.
“Shhhh.” She put her finger to her lips, but knowing he couldn’t see her, she veered toward the couch and crouched down beside him.
“Quiet,” she whispered and took him by the hand. “Come with me.”
She led him as quickly as his booted ankle would allow into the den and maneuvered him to a crouch between the bookcase and the edge of the pullout sofa, made up into a rumpled bed that Kaitlyn had hastily departed.
“Stay here,” she told him. “You’ll be safe. Don’t move.”
She grabbed the landline and called 911. The night-shift dispatcher at the sheriff’s department, Larry Kingly, answered. Maya quickly, and as quietly as she could, told him the situation. He promised to send help right away.
Hating the thought of Kaitlyn out there facing the unknown alone, Maya went to her father’s gun safe in the corner, spun the dial of the combination lock and opened the heavy door with her uninjured hand. Not comfortable using his hunting rifle, she grabbed the airsoft gun her dad had used to scare off coyotes. It was a little trickier loading it with her other arm in a sling, but she managed to get the gun functioning.
Pausing at the open doorway of the den, she could see through the house to the kitchen door, which was closed. Cautiously, Maya made her way through the living room and to the kitchen door, where she pressed her back against the edge and peeked out into the backyard through the door window. The moon’s bright glow illuminated parts of the porch and yard, but there were plenty of shadows to make the fine hairs at Maya’s nape jump to attention.
She popped open the door. “Kaitlyn?” she whispered, but there was no answer.
What had happened to the deputy?
Dread that something horrible had befallen the female officer spread through Maya, but she gathered her courage and stepped out onto the porch. She held the airsoft gun awkwardly against her hip with her uninjure
d hand close to the trigger. It wouldn’t do much damage to a human or animal, but it was better than nothing and would hopefully chase away the intruder.
To her right in her peripheral vision she saw movement in the shadows of the back porch. Heart jumping in her throat, she spun with the airsoft gun aimed into the darkness. “Who’s there?”
She could faintly make out the shape of a human seconds before the person lunged at her.
Backpedalling toward the safety of the house, she shouted, “Don’t come any closer. I’ll shoot.”
The distant sound of a siren heralded the arrival of help. She silently urged them to hurry.
In a swift movement that left her breathless, the shadowy figure leaped over the railing of the porch like he was jumping over a garden hose, landing soundlessly three feet down onto the ground below before racing away from her across the backyard. The man jumped up, grabbed the top of the fence, leaped over the fence and disappeared.
She heard a noise to her left and spun in that direction, her finger hovering over the airsoft gun’s trigger. Kaitlyn ran into view, her weapon drawn.
Relieved to see the deputy, Maya set the airsoft gun on the porch and hurried down the steps. “Kaitlyn, are you hurt?”
“My pride more than anything,” she grumbled, holstering her weapon. She rubbed the back of her head. “The intruder got the drop on me from behind. Hit me over the head with something. But I stayed on my feet and chased the suspect around the house to the front yard, then I lost him. I heard you shouting.”
“He came around to the back again,” Maya told her. She had never seen somebody so agile or quick. “It had to be the same person who attacked me in the forest earlier today.”
And the person obviously knew where she lived.
* * *
Alex brought his truck to a halt next to the sheriff’s cruiser. Worry for Maya and Brady ate at his gut. He’d been at home sleeping, when Larry, the dispatcher, had called per the sheriff’s instructions. As the lead on the case, Alex had rushed over, afraid that something bad had happened to the Gallos. The sheriff was already talking to Deputy Kaitlyn Lanz.
