Page 112 of Beneath the Mountain Sky

Tony gives me a look, asking for permission to reveal everything we’ve been discussing. And as much as I would love to ignore the fact that there is a threat out there and stay locked in the cabin with Willow indefinitely, that isn’t an option.

I nod.

He clears his throat. “We believe there may be someone dangerous on the mountain.”

Raven scoffs. “You guys just figuring that out now?”

I motion toward the woods. “I found evidence to confirm someone was watching Willow and me last night.”

Willow’s hands tighten on the rail, her breath catching at the confirmation of what I told her last night, and Raven’s mix of indignation and humor fades quickly.

Her green gaze cuts to her best friend, then back to me. “Someone was here?”

I’m sure she—like me—would have loved to discover I was wrong and that it was just a bear or some other type of wildlife that made those noises, but sticking our heads in the sand won’t get us anywhere.

I nod. “Which is why she”—I point to Willow—“doesn’t leave my side unless she’s with Liam or Connor.”

Raven gapes. “What about me? You don’t think she’s safe with me?”

“It isn’t about that, Raven. You’ll be better protected with one of us around. And you’re welcome to stay on the homestead, too, if you feel like you need protection.” I grin at Connor, already anticipating his response to my next suggestion. “You can crash at Liam’s…or Connor’s.”

He opens his mouth to argue with me, but I cut him off with a glare.

“I’ll be taking Willow to the lumberyard today, if you’d like to join us.”

Raven scowls. “No thanks. I can take care of myself, and I’m better off spending my time warning people than hiding behind a McBride.”

“Now, now…” Tony holds up a hand. “We’re not going to cause a panic with some exaggerated story, but I do need your help to spread the word about a search party we’re going to be putting together.”

Raven’s lips twist, annoyed at the reproach, but she nods. “Of course. Anything I can do to help.”

Right now, the only one who appears to need help is Willow.

She stands gripping the banister tightly in her hands, her legs trembling as badly as her bottom lip.

We discussed my belief that whoever took her was likely responsible for the noise I heard, but apparently, confirming it has hit her hard.

I slowly make my way up the porch as Raven comes down to talk to Tony.

Willow turns to face me, still gripping the worn wood in one hand tightly. “Someone was really here? Just watching us and listening?”

To my confession.

To every painful word.

I nod. “Yes…”

“Why would they?”

I shake my head. “I don’t know, but I’m going to find out if it’s the last fucking thing I do.”

WILLOW

The McBride Timber office swirls around me as I spin in the office chair behind Killian’s desk, pushing off the floor with one foot to keep going for the hundredth time, until my stomach starts to regret my decision.

Nausea rolls through me, and I drop my feet to stop my rotation, pressing my hand over my belly.

A brief flash of a memory fills my head.