Seaside Heartbeats_A Sweet Romance

by Stacy Claflin

  "Maybe we can find another way in," Brayden said. "This is going to take all day just to get in a few feet."

  Cruz shielded his eyes with his hand, looking up and down the side of the trail. "Dude." He let out a slow breath. "I don't see anything else better, and I don't want to travel farther just to find out that this is our best bet."

  "You want to start chopping stuff away?" Lana asked. "Brayden and I can go a little farther and see if we can find anything better."

  "Fine by me." He pulled a water bottle from the side of his backpack and took a drink.

  Lana looked at Brayden. "What do you think?"

  "We can explore a little, but I don't want us splitting up. So we won't go more than shouting distance from Cruz."

  "Go," Cruz said, pulling out a knife that looked more like a small sword.

  "Sure you don't want something bigger?" Lana joked.

  "This is the smallest one I brought," Cruz said. "I'm going to warm it up for you, dude."

  Lana rolled her eyes. "Thanks."

  Brayden took her hand and they hurried down the trail, looking at the foliage. None of it looked any easier to get through than the area they needed to cut through.

  "Maybe we should have brought a whole crew," Lana said.

  "That wouldn't have been a bad idea. Let's go a little farther. I can still hear Cruz hacking away."

  They went down the path, finding the plants growing thicker as they went. "This isn't promising," Lana said.

  "No. It's almost as though someone did this on purpose."

  She stopped. "You think so?"

  "Why not? If there's something to cover up, wouldn't you bring in as many plants as possible to hide it?"

  "Yeah. And most of this looks like it's been growing for a long, long time."

  "We should turn back and help Cruz," Brayden said.

  Lana peered down the trail and then nodded. "We're just wasting our time."

  They went back and Brayden took off his pack and dug into it, pulling out some knives nearly as big as Cruz's. He handed one to Lana and removed the sheath from the other.

  "Is it as bad as it looks?" he asked Cruz.

  "Maybe for you, dude. It's easy enough for me."

  Brayden laughed and then put his backpack on again before cutting away at thick ivy. Lana pulled the sheath off her knife and shoved it into the side pocket of her pack next to the water bottle. It was a tight squeeze, but it would have to do. She picked a branch near Brayden and cut back and forth.

  It didn't take long before the muscles in her arms ached. She changed position and tried slicing from a different angle. It helped for a little while, but soon new muscles burned. Sweat beaded on her forehead and it dripped toward her eyes.

  Lana stopped and wiped her forehead.

  "Getting to be a bit much for you?" Brayden asked, sweat shining from his forehead, too.

  "Weaklings," Cruz teased. He whistled a tune.

  "Is he always like this?" Lana asked.

  "No," Brayden said. "Sometimes he's annoying."

  Lana burst out laughing. She drank some more water and then got back to work. It had been her idea to solve the mystery, so she needed to work just as hard as the guys.

  They all worked hard without speaking. Hours went by and the sunlight began to fade. It didn't help with the heat, though.

  Every so often, one of them would take a drink of water or move forward, having cut a little deeper into the path. Lana's muscles tightened to the point that every little movement hurt. She didn't want to appear weak, but she needed to stop and stretch her muscles.

  Neither Brayden nor Cruz seemed to notice, and if they did, they obviously didn't mind her taking a break. Brayden moved ahead of their small pack and cut through a thorny vine. "Look at this."

  Forgetting her exhaustion, Lana stuffed her water bottle into her pack and ran to see what Brayden was staring at. It was a clearing.

  The meadow spread out toward hills with only a random tree here and there. Tall grass filled the ground, but at least they could get through it without needing to cut anything. A waterfall ran down the side of a hill at the far end. Lana wanted nothing more than to burst into a run and soak herself in the sparkling water.

  "Does this match our maps?" asked Cruz, wiping sweat from his brow.

  Brayden pulled them out and studied them before looking around the clearing. "Other than being smaller than expected, I think so. At least according to the old map." He handed it to Cruz and then looked at the computer-generated one. "This one makes it look smaller than it is. I think because of the trees shading it."

  Lana made her way over to them, peeking over their shoulders. "Are the caves supposed to be in the side of the hill here?"

  "Looks like it," Cruz said. He held up the hand-drawn map and looked back and forth between that and the clearing. I don't see any caves, though.

  "You don't suppose this is an ancient joke that we've fallen for?" Lana asked.

  "Don't joke about that," Cruz said. "We made it all the way out here, and we're going to find something. I don't care what."

  "There's a nice waterfall." Lana looked at it, not wanting to admit how much she wanted to run to it.

  "We might have to cut away more weeds to find the caves," Brayden said.

  "Weeds?" Lana asked. "I don't want to know what you'd call vines or trees."

  He wrapped his arms around her. "I got through it quicker convincing myself that they were just little things."

  "It's going to be dark soon," Cruz said. "Whatever we do, we should get to it, dude."

  "We should check out the hillside," Brayden said. "That's the only place caves would be."

  Lana held back a groan. The last thing she wanted was to cut anything else. Why had she been so insistent that they figure out what had happened to Billy Kittle? She didn't care anymore. The only thing that sounded appealing was to sleep for the next couple days. Maybe some mysteries were better left alone.

  She dragged her aching feet as the guys ran ahead. Cruz went to the far left of the giant rocky hillside and Brayden went to the far right. Lana had a feeling those brothers always went separate ways. Could they be any more different? Brayden, the disciplined doctor and Cruz, the tattoo artist. It was hard to believe they'd even come from the same family. Yet she was certain either one of them would also fight to protect the other one if needed.

  Lana swallowed, hoping it wouldn't be. She looked around, studying the woods behind them. If someone had followed them, surely she'd feel hairs standing up on her neck. Wasn't that what happened when people were unknowingly watched? But then again, neither she nor Brayden had experienced anything before the break-ins which had to be related. It was too much of a coincidence.

  "I found something!"

  She turned toward Cruz, who danced around.

  "What is it?" called Brayden.

  "A cave, dude."

  Brayden ran over. Lana tried to run, but her legs refused to comply. Her heart sped up. What would they find?

  When she made it over to them, the brothers exchanged a high five. Lana peeked around them to some thorns pushed to the side. Sure enough, there was a small opening.

  "What do you think is in there?" she asked.

  "That's what we're about to find out. You ready?" asked Cruz. He looked ready to explode.

  "If it's dangerous, we're leaving," Cruz said. "We aren't putting ourselves in harm's way."

  "Yes, Dad," Cruz joked. He sliced through some of the thorn bushes. "Looks harmless so far."

  "That could be what old man Kittle thought," Brayden muttered.

  Lana took his hand and squeezed.

  He looked at her. "Are you sure you want to do this? I don't want you getting hurt."

  "We'll be careful. I promise."

  "Did we tell anyone we were coming here?" Brayden asked. "Why didn't I think of that sooner? I thought of everything else. If we don't get home, no one will know where to look."

  "Relax," Cruz said. "I told Ja
ke we were hiking out here. If he doesn't hear from us by morning, he's going to call the president."

  Lana laughed, but Brayden didn't look amused.

  "I mean the forest service," Cruz said. "Come on. You got your flashlights?"

  Brayden opened Lana's pack and then handed her hers. He lowered himself so she could get his flashlight from his pack.

  Cruz held his up. "Let's go."

  Brayden gave Lana a curious look. "Last time to back out."

  "Not a chance."

  "Okay." He stood taller. "Let's solve this mystery."

  Cruz went in first and then Brayden. Lana heard a strange noise out near the trees. She whipped around to see what it was, but nothing looked out of place.

  Brayden motioned for her to follow. They went in a few feet, shining the lights all around. It was as Lana had expected—dark and dirty. She was surprised by how much water dripped down the walls, though. But it made sense given the nearby waterfall and the fact that it often snowed in the hilly regions. It had to go somewhere when it melted.

  Brayden grabbed her hand. "We'll stay in front so that if anything happens, you're closest to the exit."

  She shrugged. "I'm not leaving without you, anyway."

  "What about me?" Cruz asked from up ahead. His voice echoed around them. "Where's the love?"

  "We won't forget about you," Lana said.

  "How far in do we want to go?" Brayden asked.

  "As far as it's safe," Cruz said. "Any sign of a cave-in or bear, we're gone."

  "Bear?" Lana asked, her stomach twisting in knots.

  "You never know," Cruz said. "But I think their caves don't tend to be this deep."

  "You don't think?" Lana asked.

  "Don't listen to him," Brayden said. "The worst we'll probably find is bats."

  "That's reassuring."

  "Okay, enough talking," Cruz said. "Our voices bouncing around could be enough to cause a cave-in."

  "Seriously?" Brayden asked.

  "Dude, yeah," Cruz said, sounding irritated. "You shoulda taken wilderness survival with me."

  They continued to creep through the tunnel, the only sounds were that of the dripping water. Drip, drip, plunk. The air grew colder the farther they went. It was a refreshing change at first, but then grew to be too much. Lana shivered, longing for her warm winter clothes back home. She pushed herself to walk faster, hoping that would help.

  When that didn't warm her, she stayed as close to Brayden and Cruz as possible, trying to take in some of their body heat. It wasn't long before her teeth chattered.

  Brayden turned to her. "Are you cold?"

  "N…no. Th…this is…how I say…I'm happy to see you."

  He laughed and then wrapped an arm around her. He was significantly warmer than her. How had he managed that? She snuggled in closer as they walked a little more.

  "Wait." Cruz stopped as his voiced echoed around them, and then shone his light on something long and yellowish. Lana and Brayden shone their flashlights on it also.

  "What is it?" Lana asked.

  "It looks like a femur," Brayden said.

  "English, yo."

  "A human leg," Brayden said. "The part above the knee."

  Lana shivered again, but this time not from the cold. Brayden pulled her closer and they all shone their lights in the area around the bone. She came across something a similar color to the bone.

  "What's that?" Lana whispered.

  "That looks like a pelvis," Brayden said.

  "Could it be from Billy Kittle?" asked Lana.

  "Who knows?" Cruz said.

  They went on a little farther, and Lana gasped when someone's light shone on a ribcage. Not too far away were what Brayden said were arm and hand bones.

  "What should we do?" asked Lana. "Take them?"

  "It's old, but it's still evidence," Brayden said. "We shouldn't touch anything."

  "I'm taking some pictures." Cruz jammed his flashlight under his arm and dug out his phone. He snapped a couple pictures.

  They went a little farther and Lana gasped when she saw the skull. "I know what that one is."

  Cruz snapped a couple more pictures.

  "We need to tell someone about this," Lana said. "Even if it's not Kittle, it's someone. Maybe someone whose family still needs answers."

  "The—"

  A loud cracking noise interrupted Brayden.

  "We gotta turn around," Cruz said, wide-eyed.

  Fear tore through Lana. "What was that?"

  Cruz looked over, his face showing the same fear. "A cave-in!"

  Another loud crack sounded, followed by rumbling.

  Twenty One

  Brayden grabbed Lana's hand. "Run!"

  Cruz bent down and picked up the skull.

  "Have you lost your mind?" Brayden exclaimed. "We have to get out of here."

  "We need this," Cruz said. "There might be dental records."

  Another loud crack sounded, followed by the sounds of crashing rocks. All three of them ran toward the entrance. Brayden prayed silently that the cave-in was behind them, and not near the entrance. The way it sounded, he couldn't tell where it came from. He'd never forgive himself if anything happened to Lana or his brother.

  The tunnel narrowed and Brayden bumped into Cruz, causing him to drop the skull.

  Cruz bent to pick it up, but Brayden grabbed his arm and pulled him up. "We just need to get out of here."

  Another crack sounded, this time sounding farther away. Brayden squeezed Cruz's arm and ran as best as he could holding onto both him and Lana. They ran a little more before the tunnel curved, and light was visible from outside the cave.

  The sounds of rocks tumbling to the ground echoed around them. Brayden looked around. It sounded as though everything was around them, but he couldn't see any falling rocks.

  They made it to the entrance, and ran outside into warm fresh air. He finally let go of them. Cruz leaned against the hill, breathing heavily. He tried to say something, but Brayden couldn't understand a word of it. Lana clung to him.

  He took some deep breaths and then spoke. "We need to get back to the car before it gets dark. The sun's already setting."

  They nodded in agreement, but no one else spoke.

  "Come on," Brayden said. "I know we're tired, but we can rest later."

  Cruz gasped for air. "I could've gotten that skull. It was just out of reach." He paused, breathing heavily. "Now all we have are my pictures."

  "We'll tell the authorities," Brayden said. "They can go back in when there isn't a cave-in happening."

  "There were teeth. Teeth!" Cruz took another deep breath. "That would have solved everything once and for all. We'd know if it was Kittle or not."

  "That wouldn't solve everything," Lana said. "There are so many other questions. How did he die? Did someone hide his body in there on purpose, or was it natural causes?"

  "We can discuss this over dinner," Brayden said

  "I want to go back in," Lana said.

  "No," said both Cruz and Brayden.

  "It's going to be dangerous for a while," Cruz said. "Days, maybe months. Let the professionals handle it."

  "But we don't have to go all the way in. Just far enough to get one bone. With technology—"

  "We're not going back in," Cruz said. "I'm starving. Let's get back to the parking lot and then hit the first fast food place we find."

  Brayden shook his head. "You and fast food. That stuff—"

  "I know, but I think this once we can make an exception."

  "We'll see." Brayden looked up at the increasingly darker sky. It wouldn't be long before they were surrounded by darkness and only had the light of the moon and stars. He'd agree to artery-clogging food if it got them back to the car faster.

  He took Lana's hand and ran for the spot that he thought they had come in from. With everything darker, it was hard to tell. Cruz followed without complaint, so they were probably going in the right direction.

  Squinting, Brayden saw
the small opening they had cut from the bushes. They squeezed through the small path. Brayden's arms got scratched along the way. It was nothing a little ointment couldn't take care of later.

  The path was so much shorter when they didn't have to cut their way through. In almost no time, they were back to the main path. Brayden's skin tingled and small bumps formed along his neck and arms. It felt like someone was watching them.

  "Is someone there?" Brayden called.

  Cruz looked at him like he was crazy.

  Brayden called out again, but all remained quiet. "Don't you feel that?" he asked Cruz.

  "I do," Lana said. "It feels like we're being watched. I had a weird feeling before we went into the cave."

  "And you didn't say anything?" Brayden asked.

  "It was just a feeling—nothing like this. My skin won't stop crawling."

  "Now I've got goose bumps," Cruz said. "Thanks, guys." He scowled.

  Lana grabbed Brayden's arm and walked toward the parking lot. They walked along the path in silence. Brayden couldn't shake the feeling, but at least they were getting close to the car. Then they could stop off at the first crowded place to eat they came across.

  They made their way to the parking lot. Automatic lights came on as they walked underneath. His eyes adjusted and he looked around. No one else was there, but there was another car. A plain, dark sedan.

  "Was that car here before?" he asked.

  "I don't think so," Lana said.

  "Nope," Cruz said. "I make a habit of paying close attention to my environment. I can tell you without a doubt that we were the only ones here earlier, dude."

  Lana leaned against Brayden. "Can we go? I've had more than enough excitement for one day. I don't think I'll ever forget the sounds in the cave."

  Brayden shook his head. "Me, neither." He hadn't stopped hearing it, in fact.

  Cruz walked over to the car and looked at Brayden expectantly.

  "Sorry." Brayden pulled out his keys, unlocked it with the remote, and then popped open the trunk. Cruz dropped his gear in and then picked up his helmet and riding leathers. He slid the leathers over his clothes.

  Gravel crunched behind them. Brayden turned around, ready to fight.

  It was a dark-haired, skinny guy walking alone. "Hey, there."

  He looked familiar, but Brayden couldn't place him.