Buried Mountain Secrets

by Terri Reed

  As they worked side by side, skirting around each other in search of supplies or ingredients, accidently bumping into each other with a laugh. Unbidden, a longing welled up inside Maya, surprising her with its intensity. She liked this, being here with Alex, acting like a couple who cooked together often. It was foreign and yet comfortable and, oh, so thrilling.

  Her skin heated, not from the water boiling on the stove but from the very real desire for home and hearth. For a man to share her life with.

  She stilled for a moment, then hurried to the refrigerator for a stick of butter to melt and to give herself time to push such nonsense from her mind.

  Okay, maybe she was lonely. But she’d already decided Alex wasn’t the man for her no matter what her traitorous heart decided.

  Brady and Frank came noisily into the house, providing a welcome distraction. Her little brother was covered in streaks of mud from the top of his head to his feet.

  “Ack!” Maya exclaimed. “Brady, your shoes!”

  “It’s fine,” Alex said, laughing.

  Not to Maya. She had her brother take off the one dirt-caked tennis shoe and set it on the porch while she took possession of his orthopedic boot. “Grab my good arm,” she told him. “You’ll have to hop to the shower.”

  She hustled Brady down the hall for a shower.

  He balked at the door to the bathroom, barring her from entering with him. “I can do it myself, Maya. I’m not a baby.”

  His sharp tone surprised her. “I know you’re not. This is a strange shower for you. I just want to show you how the knobs work. Plus, you have an injured foot.”

  “I can figure it out. I’m smart.” He put weight on his foot. “I can stand on it. It doesn’t hurt.”

  She searched his face for a wince and saw none. “Yes, you are smart. Even if it doesn’t hurt, you shouldn’t put too much weight on it yet.” He opened his mouth to argue more, so she held up her hands in surrender. “Be careful you don’t burn yourself with the hot water.”

  He rolled his eyes. “Maya.”

  She chuckled. “You are such a teenager.”

  “I’ll be sixteen soon.”

  Time was flying by too fast. His birthday was the week before Christmas, just three months away. “I know. We’ll celebrate.”

  “Can Frank and Alex join our celebration?”

  Her stomach knotted. He was growing attached to the two men. But truth be told, so was she. “Of course they can. We can invite the whole town if you want.”

  “I don’t need the whole town. Just Frank and Alex, and maybe Aunt Leslie and Mr. and Mrs. Johnson.”

  Leslie Quinn was Maya’s childhood friend. She’d been a big part of her and Brady’s lives before Leslie left home at eighteen to pursue an art career. She’d lived in Paris and London and had sent postcards regularly. Maya had been happy for her friend but she’d also missed her.

  And if Maya were honest, she’d envied Leslie. Not that Maya begrudged her friend the freedom to pursue her dreams.

  Life hadn’t work out that way for Maya.

  So she’d lived vicariously through Leslie’s adventures before Leslie returned to Bristle County last year to take over her mother’s dress shop while her father battled prostate cancer. He’d beat it, and Lorraine and Henry Quinn had decided to explore the world to celebrate. Leslie had remained in town, running the shop and volunteering for the mounted patrol. Now that Maya knew more about how the patrol worked, she admired her friend’s commitment even more.

  “Of course, we can invite Leslie and Mr. and Mrs. Johnson.”

  “Yay.”

  “There are towels and a washcloth in the cupboard under the sink,” she told him. “And shampoo and conditioner on the counter.”

  “Okay, I got it.”

  “I’ll be out here if you need me.”

  “I won’t need you.” He waved her away as he shut the door and locked it.

  Shaking her head, she stood there, uncertain if she should wait or trust that he would be okay. This parenting thing was so stressful.

  Alex joined her in the hall. He brought with him the scent of hickory that had her mouth watering.

  “Dad cleaned up the office so you can have that room, if you like,” he said. “There’s a Murphy bed in the wall.”

  He took her hand and tugged her to the office. Her fingers easily curled around his and she told herself it was no big deal that they were holding hands. Her brain was hearing the message, but the rest of her? Not so much. By the time they reached the office door, she felt as if she’d trekked across the Sahara.

  The office had a dark wood desk and a beautiful armoire. Alex released her hand and moved to the armoire. “This is the Murphy bed.” He showed her how it worked.

  “This will be lovely. I’ll have to see how Brady is doing. If he has another nightmare, it might be best if I’m there with him.”

  Alex nodded and tucked the bed back into place. “Okay. Whatever you think is best. Just know this is an option.”

  “Thank you.”

  “Do you want your first investment lesson? We have time before dinner.”

  “Sure.”

  He moved to the desk and turned on his desktop computer. He pulled up a trunk for Maya to sit on. He sat in the desk chair.

  Twenty minutes later, Maya’s head was spinning with all the information Alex had given her about investments, market shares and the difference between day-trading and long-term trading. He knew his stuff. Her admiration of the handsome deputy tripled.

  “Dinner’s ready.”

  Brady’s call drew them out of the office and into the dining area, where Frank was bringing in the steaks and Brady setting the table. Brady’s hair was still damp, but he looked clean and had put on fresh sweat bottoms and a T-shirt. His ankle was purple and swollen but he didn’t seem to be in discomfort as he hobbled about. Maya was proud of him. He was growing up so fast.

  “Look, Maya, corn on the cob!” Brady clapped his hands.

  “I see that.” Maya took a seat. “Sit down, buddy. Let’s put your boot back on.” She’d wiped the mud off it.

  Brady plopped down on Maya’s right. He held out his foot for her to slip it over his injured appendage. Once done, he picked up his fork. “I’m hungry.”

  Frank laughed, “That’s good to hear.”

  Alex took the seat on Maya’s left. “Do you mind if I say grace?”

  “Please do.”

  He held out his hand. She slipped her hand into his and then took her brother’s. Alex and Brady both held on to Frank’s. Tears bubbled to the surface and Maya squeezed her eyes tight as Alex asked God to bless their food. She missed family dinners. For so long it had only been her and Brady. She’d forgotten how nice it was to be a part of a unit of more than two. Best not to get used to it. Come Monday, she and Brady would go home and this would be a wonderful memory.

  After dinner, Alex touched her arm as she cleared the table. “I need to talk to Brady in the living room.”

  “What about?”

  He slipped the photo of the deceased hiker from his pocket. Her stomach knotted. She wanted to protect Brady. It was her first instinct. Always was, always would be. “Do you have to?”

  “Yes.”

  She sighed. Brady and Frank were washing and drying the dishes. “Can it wait a bit?”

  Alex watched Brady and his father for a moment, a muscle working in his jaw, then nodded.

  When the dishes were put away, Maya tucked her arm through Brady’s. “Come into the living room with me.”

  She led Brady to the couch and gathered his hands in hers. Alex sat on the couch next to Maya.

  “Alex has a picture he wants to show you.”

  “Have you seen this person?” Alex held up the photo of the dentist, Ned Weber.

  Brady stiffened. He squeezed May
a’s hands and his breathing became rapid. He shook his head but he didn’t say anything.

  “Brady, have you seen this man?” Maya pressed, concerned by his behavior.

  He continued to vigorously shake his head.

  Alex and Maya exchanged glances. She wasn’t buying his denial. He was scared. “Brady, this man took a tumble down the side of the mountain.”

  Brady’s gaze shot to hers. But his lips were pressed tight together.

  Heart hammering in her chest, she said, “Did you see him fall?”

  “No. No, I didn’t see that man. No, no, no.” Brady jumped to his feet. “I’m going to go find Frank.” He hobbled out the back door as fast as his booted foot would allow.

  Anxious, Maya hurried after him.

  Alex stalled her with a hand on her arm before she could leave the house. “Let me go talk to him.”

  “Not without me,” she said. “He’s my brother.”

  “He might open up to me if you’re not there. Maybe he’s afraid of getting in trouble. I could talk to him, guy to guy.”

  She gestured toward his uniform. “Really? You think he’s afraid of getting in trouble with me? You’re the cop. He knows what you do.”

  Alex’s lips firmed. “Then we talk to him together.”

  “Fine.” She shook off his hand and hurried after her brother.

  Brady had made it to the corral and he was standing at the railing. Truman had come over and he had one hand on the animal, scratching his nose. Animals always seem to like Brady. She guessed it was because animals didn’t see him as a threat.

  Truman nickered as she and Alex approached.

  “Brady, talk to us.”

  He shook his head and wouldn’t look at her.

  “You’re not to going to get in trouble if you tell me the truth. You know that.”

  He glanced at her. “I know you won’t be mad at me. But—”

  “But?” she prompted.

  Brady lifted his gaze. Worry radiated off him in waves. She wanted to take him into her arms and chase away whatever had him so scared.

  “You’re safe, Brady,” Alex said softly. “I’m not going to let anyone hurt you or Maya.”

  Grateful for Alex’s steady presence, she said, “Let’s go back inside, Brady, and you can tell us what’s going on.”

  TEN

  Alex followed in Maya and Brady’s wake back inside the house. She was so good with her brother. Respect and admiration filled his chest. She’d been so young when she’d had to take on the role of parent.

  He wondered, what were her dreams? What had she planned for her life before the tragedy that had taken her parents and put her on a new path? He wished there was something he could do to help her and Brady.

  Something more than just protection. Though what, he didn’t have a clue.

  He liked this woman. He liked the way she pitched in when she saw the need. He liked the way she was so calm and gentle with her brother and with Mr. Johnson. With his dad.

  He’d told her the unvarnished truth of his childhood and she hadn’t judged him or his dad. He appreciated her acceptance. And admired her for her dedication to her brother and to the legacy that her parents had left behind in the store and in the town.

  Maya directed Brady to the dining room table. Alex sat and folded his hands on the table. He should’ve changed out of his uniform but there was no helping it now.

  Alex waited, letting Maya take the lead.

  With her arm around his shoulders, Maya said, “Okay, Brady. Tell us about that man in the photo.”

  Brady’s gaze was filled with anxiety. “You sure he can’t get me?”

  Alex clenched his fingers. “I’m sure.”

  Brady nodded. “I saw him on the trail. But he got mad at me because he didn’t want me to see him. He told me not to tell anybody I saw him or he would get me. He yelled at me and made me very scared, so I ran and I ran and then I tumbled and hurt my ankle. And then the nice people found me.”

  “That must have been very scary,” Maya said.

  “Thank you for telling me, Brady.” Alex glanced at the large watch Brady always wore. “Do you remember what time you saw the man?”

  Brady frowned and looked at the watch on his hand. “It was time for me to turn back.” He made a face. “But I ran in the wrong direction.”

  Alex met Maya’s gaze. “Any idea when that would have been?”

  “Brady left the store at nine. He should’ve headed back around ten thirty.”

  That narrowed down the window of when the man had died. Alex rose. “I need to talk to the sheriff.”

  * * *

  The next morning, Alex dressed in his parade uniform. He and Truman were slated to ride with the other mounted patrol officers in the Harvest Festival parade. The plan was Brad, Maya and Frank would come to the parade and watch from the announcers’ podium. Since Sheriff Ryder and Mayor Olivia Yardlee would both be doing the announcing, Alex figured Maya and her brother would be safe in the box. Plus, it had the best seat in the house to see the floats.

  He told Maya and Brady the plan.

  “That would be good for us,” Maya said, clearly pleased by the arrangement.

  “No!” Brady protested, his face scrunching up. “I’m riding on the church youth group float.”

  Maya grimaced. “Honey, you’re going to have to skip the float this time.”

  “I always ride on the float. That’s my thing. I get to ride on the float.”

  From the stubborn jut of Brady’s chin and the mutinous expression in his dark eyes, Alex could see the kid was not going to bend about riding on the church youth group’s float.

  Maya sent Alex a pleading look. “Is there any way to make that happen?”

  If Maya wouldn’t forbid her brother from the float, then Alex had to figure out a way to keep them both safe. “How about this? Maya, you’ll sit in the announcers’ booth with Dad, the mayor and the sheriff. I’ll ride as an escort for Brady on the float instead of with the other mounted patrol officers.”

  “Yes!” Brady pumped his fist in the air.

  Maya gave him a very warm smile that made his heart pound. “You’d do that for us?”

  “It’s not ideal but we’ll make it work. Truman and I will stick close to Brady. If anybody tries anything, they will have us to deal with.”

  There was affection in Maya’s gaze and Alex wanted to lap it up like a cat drinking milk.

  “I appreciate everything you’re doing for us, Alex. Brady looks forward to the float every parade. And the church kids are so accepting of him.”

  Alex chuckled. “This town does love its parades and festivals.” Every month there was a reason to celebrate.

  Brady grinned. “I like the floats. I get to be up front and throw candy. People like me then.” His expression changed into sadness as his smile faded. “The rest of the time nobody really likes me.”

  Anguish crossed Maya’s face. She put her good arm around Brady. “That’s not true. You have plenty of friends.”

  Brady sighed. “I have a few. But there’s nobody like me here. But if I went to the camp that Doctor Brown told us about...”

  Maya made a pained expression. “Brady, we’ve talked about this. It’s not an option.”

  “If I found the treasure, then we could afford it,” he insisted.

  Alex gave Maya a curious look. She shook her head, apparently not wanting to explain.

  “We need to finish getting ready if you want to be on the float when it takes off from the high school,” Alex said, hoping to distract Brady from the subject.

  “Yay!” Brady beamed, quickly switching from his momentary blue mood. “I’m ready.”

  “Did you brush your teeth?” Maya questioned.

  Brady wrinkled his nose. “I will.” He raced down the hall to the
bathroom and disappeared inside.

  “What camp?” Alex asked.

  Maya pinched the bridge of her nose with her good hand. “Camp PALS. It’s an organization that provides a camp experience for individuals with learning disabilities. Doctor Brown thinks it would be good for Brady to attend.”

  “Brady sounds game.”

  She turned an anguished gaze his way. “It’s too expensive. I hadn’t realized paying for the camp was why Brady was so determined to find the Delaney treasure.”

  His heart folded in half, and before he realized what he was doing he offered, “I could help pay for it.”

  Maya shot him an incredulous stare. “No. Besides, it’s in Denver. That’s too far away.”

  Ah. Alex figured she’d just admitted the real reason she was loath to let Brady go to camp. Maya wanted to keep her brother close. He wasn’t sure he agreed with her but it was none of his business. “I’ll get Truman in the trailer while you finish getting ready and meet both of you at the truck.”

  “We’ll be right out.”

  Alex went outside and found his father had already trailered Truman and loaded a packed ice chest in the back of the truck.

  At Alex’s raised eyebrow, Frank shrugged. “I needed something to do.”

  “Thanks, Dad.” Alex wasn’t sure what to make of his father. His dad had changed but Alex kept expecting the man he’d known growing up to reappear. The man who’d been drunk more often than not, who had a hair-trigger temper and wouldn’t lift a finger to help anyone. Not even his family. This new version of Frank Trevino was unsettling.

  A few minutes later, Maya and Brady joined them and they left the ranch. They arrived at the high school football field. The floats were lined up and preparing for the start of the parade. Alex parked off to the far side of the field. Brady and Maya headed toward the float area while Alex led Truman out of the trailer. Dad hung back with the truck.

  The theme of the Bristle Community Church’s youth group float was of the Bible story “Daniel in the Lions’ Den” with a crouching papier-mâché lion painted yellow and brown. A dozen or more kids were on the float and they all cheered when they saw Brady. He hopped up and took a seat at the front of the trailer. Someone handed him a large plastic bag filled with candy.