Christmas In Delaney Mountain

by Mary Alford

  

  David pulled back into Kara’s drive.

  True to his word, Sheriff Hendrix’s patrol car was parked on the street.

  He’d asked Frank to stick around while he went home and gathered what he’d need for an extended stay at Kara’s place. He’d brought their work laptops and had let his foreman, Noah Henderson, know where to find him in case something came up. He’d called Kyle and told him what was happening.

  David went over to the sheriff’s car.

  “All’s quiet here.” Frank nodded toward the house. “But she has real problems. I ran his rap sheet. If this creep is in town, he’s proven he’s ruthless and cunning. He can get to her no matter what. You’ll be standing in the way of that happening.” Frank looked him straight in the eye.

  David felt a connection to Kara that he couldn’t explain. He wouldn’t let her fight this horror alone anymore. He understood battling fear. “I know, but I’ll be fine. I know what I’m doing.” David straightened and tapped the car.

  Frank nodded. “All right, but I meant what I said. If you need anything, call, no matter what the time.”

  David waved as the sheriff drove away and then knocked on the door. After a lengthy minute where he could imagine Kara carefully scrutinizing him through the peep hole, she undid the locks and opened the door. “Everything good?” he asked when he got a good look at her nervous expression.

  “Yes, no…I guess it’s just everything catching up with me,” she added with a sigh.

  He came inside, dropped his things by the door, and relocked the door. Then he reached for her hand and squeezed it. “It’ll be OK. You’re not alone anymore.”

  She stared up at him with soulful eyes, and his heart melted for her. She’d suffered more than she deserved, and she was still fighting to move on.

  Kara sucked in a breath, her eyes darkened with something that had been there before.

  Despite his own feelings, he’d not let himself accept that she might be attracted to him as well.

  She stepped closer, inches away.

  His arms circled her waist, drawing her next to him. He would kiss her, just as she wanted him to.

  Their lips met, a whisper of a sigh escaped from her. Her eyes fluttered closed. She was everything he believed her to be. Soft and sweet, he wanted to keep right on kissing her, but she pushed against his chest and he let her go. They stared breathless at each other across the tiny space separating them.

  “I’m sorry,” he said, but he wasn’t. He wanted to kiss her again.

  Her hand touched her lips where his had been, drawing his attention.

  “No,” she said at last and turned away. “It was just as much me as you. I guess I got caught up in the momen—”

  “Mommy.” Maya spoke.

  Kara whirled to face her daughter. “Baby, are you OK?” She hurried over and knelt next to Maya.

  “I went up to my room to play, and I heard a noise at my window. I got scared,” the little girl told them.

  Kara’s gaze flew to his.

  “Call the sheriff. You and Maya stay here,” David said and took out the pistol he’d tucked inside his jacket.

  Kara came to where he stood next to the door. “You can’t go out there, David. He could be anywhere.”

  In spite of the tension in the air, he smiled down at her worried expression and touched her face.

  She swallowed back emotions and then clasped his hand. “Please be careful. I couldn’t bear it if anything happened to you because of me.”

  “I’ll be fine,” he assured her. “Call Frank right now. Lock the door behind me.”

  He stepped outside and waited until he heard the locks slide into place. Then, he took a second to look around. Darkness had descended. The snow flutters from earlier had deteriorated into all out flurries making it impossible to see anything. The eerie silence was unnerving. He slowly eased from the porch and glanced over at Amy’s house. Not a single light was on. But then again, Amy had told Kara she was spending the night at her friend’s home.

  David kept close to the house and slipped to the corner. A quick look revealed nothing but darkness. He pulled out a small flashlight from his pocket and flicked it on, shining it at the ground. There were no footprints in the snow. He slowly moved along the side of the house until he was at the back where the upstairs bedrooms were.

  In the distance, a siren blared. Frank was on his way.

  A single light shone from above, illuminating the yard. The ground revealed no tracks. Had Maya been wrong? Maybe it was just the wind she’d heard.

  He shone the light out toward the woods behind the house where Kara had said she’d seen the footprints before. Now, there were more.

  Flashing red and blue lights strobed the area, the siren of Frank’s patrol car grew louder as he came to a screeching halt in front of Kara’s home. A car door slammed.

  “David, you out here?” Frank asked in a loud voice.

  “Back here,” David answered.

  A few seconds later, the sheriff rounded the corner, his flashlight’s beam hitting David in the eye, momentarily blinding him.

  “Anything?” Frank asked.

  “Nothing here, but take a look out there.” David shone the light on the prints.

  “Someone’s been here,” Frank assured him with a curt tone. “The area back there butts up to the wilderness. Lots of people hunt back there. It could be a hunter who stumbled a little too close to the houses or—”

  “It could be Eli.” David shook his head. “I don’t like it, Frank. It’s too big of a coincidence.”

  “I agree. I’ll have someone be here for a while.” Frank paused. “I pulled this guy’s military record. Dishonorably discharged, this guy’s got some serious mental issues, David, and he’s managed to elude the law for years.” Frank glanced around and David could almost swear he shivered. “I don’t like it, David. This guy’s on a free fall and he has nothing to lose.”

  7

  Kara stared through the window at the winter wonderland outside. She wanted to go outside and build a snowman with Maya, but it wasn’t to be.

  She turned to find David watching her with a sympathetic expression.

  They’d been working in her formal dining room. Close enough to see the twinkling lights of the Christmas tree, but for her the joy of Christmas was hard to come by.

  It had been four days since she’d left the house, a prisoner in her own home. Waiting for the inevitable. A deputy was stationed in front, watching for trouble.

  Maya had taken the news of a bad man looking for them better than Kara had expected. Children were resilient.

  Telling Amy the truth hadn’t been easy either, but the older woman was understanding when she’d explained why Maya would be staying home indefinitely. She’d assured Amy that she could stop by whenever she wanted and with Christmas just one week away, Kara invited Amy to have Christmas dinner with them.

  Today, Amy was playing with Maya in the great room.

  David came and stood behind her, his serious expression reflected in the window.

  Every time he was close, she was reminded of the kiss. They’d been dancing around talking about it since it happened. Their feelings were there in every look, every smile. Every accidental touch.

  “It’ll be OK. When he rears his head, and he will, we’ll have him. He’s not getting away this time, Kara. I promise you, this is almost over.”

  She so wanted to believe him.

  David’s hands descended on her shoulders. “When this was over, when you’re finally free of him, I hope you’ll stay around.” He turned her to face him.

  She drew in a shaky breath.

  “I never thought I’d have feelings for another woman again. I screwed things up with my ex-wife…I was so messed up back then.” He shook his head in disgust. “I thought I wasn’t relationship material. Since I met you, well, you mean something to me, Kara. I think you feel the same way.”

  She couldn’t deny
it. She’d been attracted to his kindness since the first moment they met each other. He was handsome in a different way than Bryce, but still just as attractive. They were cut from the same cloth, strong, courageous. True men of valor.

  She touched his face tenderly. “You’re right, I do feel the same way.”

  He drew her closer, their foreheads touching. He was smiling. “I’m so glad,” he murmured and held her for a second longer.

  She felt so safe with him. As if nothing in the world would ever hurt her again.

  “We should probably break for lunch.” He kissed her sweetly then let her go.

  Kara was amazed to realize it was almost noontime. “I can’t believe it’s so late. I’ll start the meal.”

  David smiled at her. “Let me help.”

  “That would be nice.” She’d made some venison chili earlier in the day.

  “It smells good in here,” he told her and lifted the lid.

  “Thanks. Homemade chili. I’ll just pop the cornbread in the oven. It won’t take long.”

  “I’ll set the table,” he told her and took out plates and silverware. “So what does Maya want for Christmas?”

  Kara stuck the pan of cornbread in the oven and turned to him. “She wants a kitten.” She told him and cringed. “We saw some at the mall in Denver, and she’s never forgotten them.”

  David chuckled. “So, what’s the problem? You know we have Daisy’s kittens at the ranch right now. She could have one of them, and it wouldn’t cost you a thing.”

  She started to refuse but then realized the only reason she was holding back was because of the temporary nature of their lives. “I don’t know. I guess I’ve been expecting to have to pick up and move at any time, as I’ve done in the past. And now, to think about putting down roots, having pets, well, it just never seemed possible before.”

  He smiled tenderly. “I get that. But this time will be different. I’ll not let him ruin yours and Maya’s lives anymore. We’ll get him. And when we do, you won’t have to look back over your shoulder any longer.”

  “That sounds like sheer heaven.” Because right now, she couldn’t imagine a time when she wouldn’t be living like a hunted woman.

  

  It didn’t feel like Christmas Eve and yet the calendar declared it was. For him and Kara, it was another day of work. Unable to leave the house, it felt as if they were prisoners. David didn’t dare risk them attending the Christmas Eve service for fear of bringing their problems to the congregation. He prayed earnestly that he hadn’t lied to Kara when he told her this was almost over.

  There had been no further signs that someone was watching Kara’s house, yet if this creep’s past track record was any indication, he was definitely here in Delaney, waiting for the right time to come after Kara again. And David was worried that staying here with Kara, he might have incensed the man to much more deadly forms of violence.

  Kara was trying to hide her tension, but she was on edge, jumping at shadows and startling every time the wind knocked a branch against the house. When he went outside to empty trash or brush the snow away from the door, she insisted on going with him to keep watch. Her gaze swiveled back and forth as she searched the shadows. Waiting for something to happen was taking its toll. She was ready to crack.

  David sat down on the corner of the table where she was working.

  She looked up with a forlorn expression.

  He took her hand and lifted her up next to him, gathering her close. Her head rested against his chest. “Hey, I know this is hard, but it’s almost over. He’ll make his move soon enough and then we’ll get him.”

  “I hope so. I’m not sure how much more I can take.”

  He saw the truth of that statement in the evidence of sleepless nights, the dark circles under her eyes, and the tension that kept her from relaxing.

  He stroked a hand down the side of her face and she shivered. They’d grown close. He was losing his heart to her. Every time he looked at her he envisioned a future he was looking forward to seeing. This nightmare had to end. For her. For them.

  “Hey, I’m having Noah bring over the little orange kitten this evening after Maya goes to sleep. She’ll be so surprised.”

  Kara smiled, and it wiped some of the worry from her eyes. “She’ll love it. Thank you for doing this for her.”

  He loved her so much. “It was nothing. I’d do anything for you, Kara. And for Maya, too. Anything.”

  Her smile disappeared. Her eyes laid bare what she felt for him. “I know that,” she whispered.

  He cupped her face and kissed her with all the love he felt in his touch.

  Close by, someone cleared their throat and they guilty broke apart.

  Kara stepped away from him and touched her lips tentatively before facing Amy.

  “Sorry to interrupt,” Amy said with a knowing smile. She held Maya’s hand. “I should be heading back to my place, Kara.”

  Kara swallowed visibly. “Are you sure you don’t want to hang out here tonight. I can sleep with Maya and you can have my bed. The weather’s really nasty out there, Amy.”

  It had been snowing nonstop for days, piling up in the yards, on the rooftops, and on the street outside their homes.

  “No, I’ll be fine. It’s not that far to my place.” Amy leaned down and gave Maya a hug. “See you tomorrow, hon. It’s Christmas!” she exclaimed and Maya giggled.

  “Santa comes tonight,” the little girl said, her excitement catching.

  “That he does,” Amy exclaimed, giving Maya a broad grin. “You be good and go right to sleep so he can drop off your presents.”

  “I promise,” Maya said, sweeping all the adults with a serious glance as she nodded.

  David lost a little bit more of his heart to this little girl who looked so trustingly at him. Maya had warmed to him quickly, plainly delighted that he was around. And he was proud to help Santa make Maya’s wish for a kitten come true. It was a feeling he’d never thought he’d experience and he reveled in it.

  “Why don’t I walk you over? I’ll let Frank know where we’re going,” David told Amy.

  “All right.” Amy gave Kara and Maya a goodbye hug. “I sure hope they catch this guy soon. I don’t like knowing he’s out there somewhere trying to hurt you.”

  Kara managed a smile.

  David could read her thoughts clearly. She hated inconveniencing the people around her.

  “I know. I hope they catch him soon too.”

  “Well hang in there, honey. You’re well protected having this one watching out you.” Amy patted David’s arm.

  As a kid growing up in Delaney, he had run into Amy at the diner many times. He’d always found her intimidating. As a grown up, he’d seen her softer side. Especially with Maya. She adored the little girl. He adored this child, too. Maya was precious. It never ceased to amaze him that both she and Kara were so resilient with everything they’d gone through.

  David took out his cell phone, called Frank and updated him on the plan.

  “Everything’s quiet out here. Be careful, though. If anything looks out of place call me right away.”

  “Will do.” David ended the call and shoved the phone back into his pocket, then turned to Kara. “Lock the door behind me and you and Maya keep your phone close. I’ll knock three times when I’m back.”

  Kara nodded and then squeezed his hand. Her look was worried. “Please be careful. I-I don’t want anything to happen to you.”

  He hoped that look meant she was ready to explore their future. They’d been so focused on finding Eli before he attacked Kara that there’d been no real time to do anything but steal a few kisses. They’d not even gone on a real date, despite spending almost every day together for months. But he was fine with that. He was patient, especially when she looked at him the way she did now.

  David walked to the door and grabbed his jacket. Once he and Amy were outside, he waited until he heard the locks slide into place.

  Frank watche
d their movements from his vehicle.

  When David reached Amy’s porch, he waited until she’d unlocked the door and flipped on the lights inside.

  “Why don’t I come in and take a look around?” A gut feeling that wouldn’t go away had him tense.

  “No, I’ll be fine. He’s not after me.”

  David couldn’t dismiss the bad feeling that had been growing most of the day. “I’d feel better and it won’t take a moment.”

  Amy nodded and opened the door.

  David glanced around the small great room and kitchen area, but nothing appeared out of place. A quick search of the rest of her home yielded more of the same. When he came back to Amy by the door, he still couldn’t get rid of the bad feeling.

  “All’s clear,” he told the older woman. “If anything comes up, call me. I can be here in no time.” David couldn’t understand why he’d added that last part.

  “I’ll do it. Goodnight, David.” Amy smiled and closed the door.

  Something instinctual, primal, had all his senses on alert. David took out his flashlight and walked around the house. There were no footprints. No sign of anything out of place. Was his unease misplaced? He sure hoped so, but his own tension was screaming this wouldn’t be a silent night for any of them.

  8

  Kara waited until the third knock, then looked through the peep hole. David waved. She blew out a much needed sigh and unlocked the door.

  He came inside and secured the locks. His body language was coiled, as if ready to spring. He was worried.

  “What’s wrong?” she asked, picking up his fears. “Did you see something?”

  David shook his head and the uneasiness in his gaze ratcheted up. “No, there was nothing. I guess I’m just a little on edge.”

  “Me, too.”

  “Where’s Maya?” he asked looking around the great room.

  “Sleeping. I took her upstairs a few minutes ago. I guess the excitement of the evening is catching up with her.”

  His expression softened and he smiled.

  She let go of her fears for the moment.

  “Speaking of Maya, I think Noah texted me while I was at Amy’s.” He took out his phone and scanned the message. “He’s on his way. He’ll be here soon with the kitten.”