Page 63 of Mountain Refuge

A woman and a male deputy glanced up, then returned their attention back to their computers. Another male deputy stepped from a room, a cup of coffee in his hand. He offered it to her.

“No, thanks.” Taya knocked on the door of the sheriff’s office, then entered when summoned.

“Have a seat, ma’am.” A handsome man folded his hands on his desktop. “I’m Sheriff Westbrook. How can I help you?”

“Where to start…” She took a deep breath and gave her name and credentials.

His eyes widened. “I bet you have quite the story to tell, Miss Trapp.”

“Yes, sir.” She went on to tell him everything she knew from the time Tracy was abducted from the coffee shop.

“Now, the two of you are hiding on Misty Mountain, and Author Ryan Boyne asked you to be his pretend wife in order to keep you safe. Do I have that correct?”

“That about sums it up.”

He kept a sharp gaze on her. “What do you feel is your next move, ma’am?”

“I don’t want to run. I want this trafficking ring stopped.”

“Do you know where they’re based?”

“We found the girls in Oklahoma.” She described where they’d been held. “I made a mistake using my real name when I purchased the SUV. Can you give me and my niece new identities until The Boss is stopped?”

“Witness Protection?”

“Except we stay here in Misty Hollow.”

“You wouldn’t be the first,” he mumbled. “Fine, Miss Trapp. I can get you new identities. I can even fix the title to your vehicle as if you sold it, but I think it would be best if you sold it and purchased something new under your new name.” His gaze speared hers. “There is safety in numbers. Mr. Boyne is often a consultant for law enforcement. He’s that knowledgeable. I believe he can help keep you and your niece safe.”

She narrowed her eyes. “Are you saying I should take him up on his offer of a pretend family?”

“Yes. He is very well-known. A few newspaper articles, some online news about his marriage, and you might have the best cover you can find. Change your and your niece’s hair color as well.”

Taya chewed the inside of her cheek. “That puts Ryan in danger.”

“It does.” He made no apology.

“Then why?”

“Because I’ve learned since becoming sheriff of this town that folks are going to help whether you want them to or not. With you being under the same roof, you’re also protecting our Good Samaritan. With his brain and your experience, it sounds like the most viable option to me.” He asked a few questions about her vehicle. “My wife has something similar. She’ll buy yours and you buy hers under your new name. If someone digs deep enough, they might figure it out, but it would be a waste of time.”

“How long until I’m someone else?”

“Half an hour. I have contacts. Taya is too original. Who would you like to be?”

She thought for a minute. “Anita Fuller…Boyne. My niece will be Amber.” There’d be no turning back.

Chapter Six

Ryan opened hisfront door to see the sheriff accompanied by a blond Taya and a red-haired Tracy. Behind them, Betty sat, tail stirring up dust. Something had happened. He stepped back, holding the door wide.

“Meet your wife, Anita, and your daughter Amber.” Sheriff Westbrook handed him a navy-blue folder. “I suggest you make the cabin she was in look as if no one had been there in years.”

He glanced at the folder. “Witness Protection?”

“Yep. For now. Since you offered to take them in, and I don’t have the manpower to spare, we’re taking you up on that offer.” The sheriff flashed a grin. “I suggest you take some photos for your social media. Your readers are going to go nuts when they hear.”

Ryan’s eyes clashed with Taya’s, uh, Anita’s. Heck. He’d have to be careful what he called her in public. “Okay. We’ll make up a story of how we met, etc., and try not to get her face or Tracy’s full-on in a photo.”