Page 14 of Mountain Refuge

“I doubt I can eat anything, but okay, and I am running low on a few toiletries.”

Rather than drive, they crossed the street and walked the short distance to the diner.

“Good afternoon.” Lucy greeted them. “Want me to send Delly out?”

“Sure.” It surprised him that Dani’s twin continued working after getting married. He thought she’d be busy housekeeping. Maybe that would come after the babies. He gave his old-fashioned ideas a mental shake and followed Lucy to a booth.

“Hey, you two.” Deputy Joey Hudson, Dani’s new brother-in-law, glanced up from where he sat.

“Hey, to you.”

“Join me.” He motioned to the bench across from him. “I haven’t eaten yet.”

After a quick glance at Delly, who nodded, Dylan agreed. “We’d be glad to.”

Delly approached them almost instantly. “I didn’t know you were coming to town today.” She smiled.

“Paid a visit to the sheriff,” Dani mumbled.

“Why?” She paled.

Dylan filled her and her husband in on the texts.

“What does Mom say?”

Dani shrugged. “I haven’t told her yet. I will later today, so don’t go tattling. She’s working at the ranch for a while.”

“Oh, Sis. Why are you always in trouble?” Her eyes shimmered.

“This isn’t new trouble. It’s part of the old. At least that’s what it sounds like.”

“Your sister didn’t ask for this.” Dylan couldn’t help coming to her rescue. The poor woman looked like a rejected kitten sitting there with slumped shoulders.

Delly shot him a sharp glance. “Trouble at the ranch and you with two young boys.” The shimmers in her eyes had disappeared, replaced with a hard glint. “That can’t make you happy.”

“It doesn’t, but we’ll weather whatever comes. I’ll have the lunch special and coffee, please.” He set his jaw, hoping she’d get the hint that the subject was closed.

“What does Sheriff Westbrook say?” Joey glanced from his wife to Dylan.

“He’s going to send someone to stay on the ranch for a while. We have a lot of events coming up.”

“I’ll come hang out on my days off if Delly is working. We’ve handled plenty of threats in the past, and we can handle this one, too.”

Dylan nodded. He sure hoped so. For the sake of his boys.

Chapter Six

Dani remained quieton the drive from the school to the ranch, content to let the boys chatter on about their last day of school and their summer plans. Her mind stayed too full of worry. Several times, she considered putting in her notice and leaving the ranch. Dylan and his sons would be safer if she weren’t there.

Trouble flocked after her like vultures to a fresh kill. There was no reason for anyone else to be in danger because of her.

The instant the boys slid from the truck, Dylan turned to her. “Forget it.”

“What?” She reached for the door handle.

“Forget leaving. You’re safer here than out there alone.”

“But…”