“My father used to take us camping and hiking in this area when we were boys.”
“Sounds nice.” Her voice softened.
“He passed away a couple years ago. We thought this could help us get some closure.”
“I’m sorry to hear that.”
Derek was also. It had been one of the most challenging times of his life. Only a year later, Derek’s fiancée had left him at the altar.
To this day, Derek had a hard time trusting people. When the people you cared about the most let you down, whom could you put your faith in?
He still wasn’t sure about the answer to that question.
They continued through the wilderness. Thankfully, Derek had a good sense of direction. Otherwise every path would look the same.
Finally, Derek heard the river in the background. In this section, the rapids skipped and hurried over large boulders. Not far from here was Beaver Falls, a one-hundred-foot waterfall. The rapids grew more turbulent as they inched closer to the drop-off.
Earlier, he’d thought the sound was soothing. Now it seemed a grim reminder of what had happened.
Thankfully, they were almost to the area where he’d left William. Thunder rumbled in the distance, and Derek knew he didn’t have much time.
Even though the park ranger had called for backup, Derek knew that getting out to this area was going to be difficult for the rescue teams. It wasn’t easily accessible, which was one of the reasons that he and William had wanted to come here.
No, Derek corrected. It was one of the reasons William had wanted to come here. Derek would’ve been just as happy hiking the Appalachian Trail or a path a little more well traveled.
“It’s just ahead,” he said.
“We should walk a little faster.” Ranger Mercer glanced up and frowned.
Her expression seemed to confirm that this was a bad situation all around. The weather would not be their friend.
They quickened their pace, just as the wind began to pick up. Derek knew it was going to storm today. He and his brother had set up camp early because of it, knowing they’d need shelter.
“This is the tricky part,” he called to the ranger. She probably already knew this area, but he felt inclined to say something anyway.
But they’d reached a ledge. They had to angle themselves through a small opening, walk along the side of a rock wall and then they’d eventually reach the riverbed. Normally people hooked up safety lines here, just in case they slipped. They didn’t have time for that, though.
“Watch your step,” she muttered.
Derek wasn’t sure if she was talking to him or to her dog. Either way, they all needed to be careful.
They squeezed between the rocks and began the challenge of balancing themselves on the rocky cliff. As the ranger stepped in front of him, the rocks crumbled beneath her feet, and she started to slip.
Derek grabbed her arm and pulled her back up. Her wide eyes met his as she murmured, “Thank you.”
“No problem.”
They continued walking.
Derek hadn’t anticipated any of this happening. A medical emergency while they were in the middle of nowhere. The strange thing was that he’d always been a planner. He liked to know what to anticipate. He didn’t like surprises.
All of this was like a test. He knew they were going to get through it. He just dreaded the process.
“It should be right on the other side of this boulder.” Derek pointed to the moss-covered rock ahead.
Ranger Mercer nodded and took the lead, her dog walking in front of her.
But just as they cleared the boulder, another sound rang out.
More gunshots.
“Get down!” Ranger Mercer yelled.
Derek ducked to the ground just as a bullet splintered the tree beside him.
What was going on?
One thing he knew for sure: those were not hunters.
They were killers.
Copyright © 2021 by Christy Barritt
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ISBN-13: 9780369704238
Mountain Secrets
Copyright © 2021 by Harlequin Books S.A.
Deception
First published in 2016. This edition published in 2021.
Copyright © 2016 by Elizabeth Goddard
Hidden Away
First published in 2018. This edition published in 2021.
Copyright © 2018 by Sharon Dunn
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This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places and incidents are either the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, businesses, companies, events or locales is entirely coincidental.
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Mountain Secrets Page 37
